In this continued conversation/discussion with myself, I followed up with a bit of research on the AFR daily bible verse from this morning. It was from Proverbs:
Proverbs 15:22
Without counsel purposes are disappointed: but in the multitude of counsellors they are established.
I was reminded of another story, found in Kings:
1 Kings 22
20And 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.
21And there came forth a spirit, and stood before the LORD, and said, I will persuade him.
22And 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.
23Now 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.
Does anyone care to discuss these 'controversial' verses? There is no contradiction, here. The proverb stands true as a proverb. No proverb is 'the rule'. It is what it is - a proverb. The real interest lies in The LORD placing a lying spirit, and the LORD speaking evil concerning... These are translational issues, largely. We know that God will lift His hedge of protection, allowing Satan some leeway (Job). What about this lying spirit? Is this simply an angel in the ranks of the Lord's legions?
2 comments:
Welcome Heather! I don't know about it all being symbolic. Maybe it is, but symbolic of what? My confusion is partially about the spirit itself. Is it an evil spirit? Obviously it is (in this case) in the ranks of the Lord's hosts. That does not sound like an evil spirit to me, yet it is allowed to deceive. On the other hand, did Jesus not say that things are difficult to understand at times so that those who are filled with unbelief will not believe? I won't say it's deception, but it is close to the same thing going on here. Perhaps the best English word we have for it is deception, whether it fits God's definition. He is righteous, regardless.
My take on the lying spirit has always been this: Even evil spirits are subject to the power and authority of God, and we know that Satan himself appears before God as we see when he petitioned God to allow him to afflict Job.
The verse you listed doesn't say that this spirit was in the ranks of the Lord or demonic, just that it came and stood before the Lord.
That God allowed this spirit to do as it claimed could be translated that "the Lord hath put" by way of His permission without Him being the source of the 'evil'.
Anyway, that's what my take has been, for what it is worth.
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