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So if God is not the source of evil, then how do you explain this?
Isa 54:16 Behold, I have created the smith that bloweth the coals in the fire, and that bringeth forth an instrument for his work; and I have created the waster to destroy.
Jdg 9:22 When Abimelech had reigned three years over Israel,
Jdg 9:23 Then God sent an evil spirit between Abimelech and the men of Shechem; and the men of Shechem dealt treacherously with Abimelech:
1Sa_16:14 But the Spirit of the LORD departed from Saul, and an evil spirit from the LORD troubled him.
1Sa 18:10 And it came to pass on the morrow, that the evil spirit from God came upon Saul, and he prophesied in the midst of the house: and David played with his hand, as at other times: and there was a javelin in Saul's hand.
1Ki 22:19 And he said, Hear thou therefore the word of the LORD: I saw the LORD sitting on his throne, and all the host of heaven standing by him on his right hand and on his left.
1Ki 22:20 And the LORD said, Who shall persuade Ahab, that he may go up and fall at Ramothgilead? And one said on this manner, and another said on that manner.
1Ki 22:21 And there came forth a spirit, and stood before the LORD, and said, I will persuade him.
1Ki 22:22 And the LORD said unto him, Wherewith? And he said, I will go forth, and I will be a lying spirit in the mouth of all his prophets. And he said, Thou shalt persuade him, and prevail also: go forth, and do so.
1Ki 22:23 Now therefore, behold, the LORD hath put a lying spirit in the mouth of all these thy prophets, and the LORD hath spoken evil concerning thee.
Wait ...let me guess ....they're calamitous spirits, right?
Maybe you should try listening to what the bible says, rather than trying to make it say what you think it should.
No, if we read these verses in context we see that they all have to do with God's righteousness - the punishment of sins, not the imputation of moral evil.
Isaiah 54 is not about God being the source of evil. Far from it! It's about God being the Redeemer - the one who delivers us from evil. It's about God's righteousness; that no evil will conquer His people. Nothing in this text indicates that God is the author of moral evil, but it is rather about God's grace and righteous judgement. In the OT we see many examples of God using foreign nations to execute His punishment on Israel for their sins, but these are always punishments of sin, not the imputing of moral evil.
Judges 22 is not about God tempting man to evil, but, allowing the works of satan (cf Job) to fulfill His righteous punishment of evil. That is, Abimelech exploited Israel, and in 1 Kings 22 we see how the leaders of Shechem dealt treacherously, which results in God's righteous judgment. God is paying them back for their evil; He is punishing sinners, not creating or causing moral evil.
1 Samuel is not about God imputing moral evil upon Samuel, but the righteous judgment of Samuel's evil deeds. He's suffering the consequences of his sins and David, who foreshadows Christ, is being anointed in his place. This is about redemption and judgment and does not explain God as the source of evil.
1 Kings is also about God's righteous works and exposing false prophets. It has to do with punishment of sins. (cf 2 Thessalonians 2 about how satan deceives and God sends a strong delusion)
Context is critical. We should always read Scriptures first in their immediate context, then consider the broader context. And as a general rule, unclear passages ought always be dominated by clear passages. For example, when Jesus say that we must hate our family, we know from both the immediate context and the broader context that it does not teach us to be malicious, but rather to love God and love our neighbour, but consider evil whatever is contrary to the Gospel.
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