"And they shall know that I am the Lord, and that I have not said in vain that I would do this evil unto them."–Ezek. 6:10.
Does the Eternal God of heaven and earth, the Heavenly Father of our Lord Jesus Christ cause evil? Now I can hear the reply from the vast majority of Christendom saying, "God forbid that such a subject even be considered!"
But we should not close our eyes, and stop our ears, and exclude the issue from our thinking just because we do not understand, or fully comprehend an experience. Rather, let us consider the "working of all things." Let us "prove all things."
Consider the following verses. "Now therefore go to, speak to the men of Judah, and to the inhabitants of Jerusalem, saying, thus saith the Lord; Behold, I frame evil against you." -Jer. 18:11. And again consider, "But the Spirit of the Lord departed from Saul, and an evil spirit from the Lord troubled him. " See also I Samuel 16:14, 16:23, 18:10, and 19:9.
Normally, we think of the word evil in association with wickedness, ungodly, unrighteous and sinful behavior. And this is true when Man performs his deeds because his acts are rooted from the depth of a depraved nature, defined in the Greek, kak-os, meaning worthless, depraved, injurious, bad, evil, harmful, and wicked. From this definition springs the works of the flesh identified in Galatians chapter five.
Therefore, a proper understanding of evil must be defined in use, purpose, and source. To throw a blanket definition over the word is not to do justice with the original. Let me give you a perfect example.
Evil, as performed by the Almighty is defined in the Hebrew word, RAH. The word generally means adversity, affliction, calamity, distress, great grief, harm, hurt, misery, sorrow, and trouble. While the carnal and evil actions of Man emanate from a depraved nature, the works of God, (described as evil in the text), are purposed to manifest His eternal glory and majesty. Do you not see the difference between evil in relation to source, purpose, and intent?
His evils are seen in judgement, destruction, and righteousness as in bringing about the Flood, or the destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah, or in the crucifixion in bringing many sons unto God. "Him, being delivered by the determinate counsel and foreknowledge of God, ye have taken, and by wicked hands have crucified and slain:... "-Acts 2:23, or as in to chasten and make known His works to His children. "For whom the Lord loveth he chasteneth, and scourgeth every son whom he receiveth." Hebrews 12:6.
Did not God perform evil upon the Egyptians, and harden Pharaoh's heart to demonstrate His Sovereign power? God's works are righteous. His works manifest His Almighty character and Sovereign Will. "Nay but, 0 man who art thou that repliest against God? Shall the thing formed say to him that formed it, Why hast thou made me thus? Hath not the potter power over the clay, of the same lump to make one vessel unto honour, and another unto dishonour?" -Romans 9:20, 21.
When God brings evil He wills it by what ever means pleases Him, including the use of the devil or any other of His created creatures, or creation. Consider Satan as the instrument to fulfill God's sovereign decree respecting His chosen servant, Job.
Another purpose for His evil visitations reveals His grace to us. In the time of need and adversity a saint receives a balm by which we lay down in green pastures, and graze upon the Living Word, even Jesus. As a result, they are washed by the sanctifying influences, cleansed and refreshed and conformed to the very image of their glorious Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To him be praise forever and ever without end. Amen.