The king of Israel and Jehoshaphat the king of Judah, having put on their robes, sat each on his throne, at a threshing floor at the entrance of the gate of Samaria; and all the prophets prophesied before them. Now Zedekiah the son of Chenaanah had made horns of iron for himself; and he said, “Thus says Yahweh: ‘With these you shall gore the Syrians until they are destroyed.’” And all the prophets prophesied so, saying, “Go up to Ramoth Gilead and prosper, for the Lord will deliver it into the king’s hand.”

Then the messenger who had gone to call Micaiah spoke to him, saying, “Now listen, the words of the prophets with one accord encourage the king. Please, let your word be like the word of one of them, and speak encouragement.” And Micaiah said, “As Yahweh lives, whatever Yahweh says to me, that I will speak.” Then he came to the king; and the king said to him, “Micaiah, shall we go to war against Ramoth Gilead, or shall we refrain?” And he answered him, “Go and prosper, for Yahweh will deliver it into the hand of the king!” So the king said to him, “How many times shall I make you swear that you tell me nothing but the truth in the name of Yahweh?”

Then he said, “I saw all Israel scattered on the mountains, as sheep that have no shepherd. And the Lord said, ‘These have no master. Let each return to his house in peace.’” And the king of Israel said to Jehoshaphat, “Did I not tell you he would not prophesy good concerning me, but evil?” Then Micaiah said, “Therefore hear the word of Yahweh: I saw Yahweh sitting on His throne, and all the host of heaven standing by, on His right hand and on His left. And Yahweh said, ‘Who will persuade Ahab to go up, that he may fall at Ramoth Gilead?’ So one spoke in this manner, and another spoke in that manner. Then a spirit came forward and stood before Yahweh, and said, ‘I will persuade him.’ Yahweh said to him, ‘In what way?’ So he said, ‘I will go out and be a lying spirit in the mouth of all his prophets.’ And Yahweh said, ‘You shall persuade him, and also prevail. Go out and do so.’ Therefore look! Yahweh has put a lying spirit in the mouth of all these prophets of yours, and Yahweh has declared disaster against you.”

Now Zedekiah the son of Chenaanah went near and struck Micaiah on the cheek, and said, “Which way did the spirit from Yahwh go from me to speak to you?” And Micaiah said, “Indeed, you shall see on that day when you go into an inner chamber to hide!” So the king of Israel said, “Take Micaiah, and return him to Amon the governor of the city and to Joash the king’s son; and say, ‘Thus says the king: “Put this fellow in prison, and feed him with bread of affliction and water of affliction, until I come in peace.”’”

But Micaiah said, “If you ever return in peace, Yahweh has not spoken by me.” And he said, “Take heed, all you people!” (I KIngs 22:1--28)

Kind of scary, when you think about it.

I think things like this are some of the more challenging areas for people to get over who haven't opened that door to our Father. It's the oft argument along these lines- "See See God is inherently evil because he says, thou shalt not kill, but then he goes off and wipes out the Caananites, etc." I'll see if I can find my answers in the Torah book you wrote as far as any legal ramifications I'm not quite understanding yet.

Somewhere in the Old Covenant, I recall reading about God asking some folks - who was willing to go down to earth and deceive one of the kings. It is one of the classic lines quoted by atheists to suggest that God is evil. The argument goes something like this, see God can deceive, therefore he is evil.

I herd a great interview once with a Polish women, who was harboring a Jewish family during the Holocaust. When an SS found out he told her that if she slept with him he would not turn in the famliy, and so she did until the war was over. I know it's not the same as lying, but the idea that some times it is the rigth thing to do the wrong thing. if that makes sense.

Not to be picky, but Yahweh didn't exactly say, "Don't lie." He said, "You shall not bear false witness against your neighbor." (Exodus 20:16) And, "You shall not circulate a false report. Do not put your hand with the wicked to be an unrighteous witness." (Ex 23:1) Specifically, lying in order to harm someone or conspire against the innocent is forbidden, but I know of no scripture that prohibits telling something less than the whole truth in order to protect the innocent. Check out Proverbs 14:25... "A true witness delivers souls, but a deceitful witness speaks lies."

kp