The Disciple and Casting Lots
Imanuel G. Christian
June 2011
Imanuel G. Christian
June 2011
How do you make important decisions in life? When you have to choose between two alternative options, how do you make the choice? In other words, does the Bible provide us clear guidelines for making important decisions in life? Last month we considered one method that is used only once in the Bible; it is in the account of Gideon putting out a fleece. Although God responded to Gideon in a very understanding manner, we noted that putting out a fleece is not a sure and consistent method for knowing God’s will in making important decisions in life. There is another method that is used in the Bible far more widely than putting out a fleece; it is casting lots.
The practice of casting lots is mentioned seventy times in the Old Testament and seven times in the New Testament. However, nothing is known about the exact nature of the lots. One possibility is that the lots were flat stones marked on both sides and could be tossed much like our coin toss today. Another possibility is that colored stones were placed in a bag or pouch and a priest or a diviner would reach into the pouch and pull out a stone. Or, he would shake the bag up and down with increasing vigor until one stone popped out.
This was a very common practice among the heathen nations. For example, during the reign of the King Xerxes, Haman cast lots to select the day and month to annihilate the Jews (Esther 3:7, 13). Similarly, the heathen sailors cast lots to find out who was responsible for the storm (Jonah 1:7). In the New Testament the Roman soldiers divided Jesus’ clothes by casting lots (Matthew 27:35; Mark. 15:24; John. 19:23-24).
It was not just used by the heathen nations, but it was also a common practice among the Israelites, the chosen people of God. For example, the scapegoat was selected by casting lots (Leviticus 16:7-10). The land was divided among the twelve tribes by using lots (Numbers 26:55; 33:54; 34:13; Joshua 18:10; etc.). Sometimes lots were used to identify the guilty person (1 Samuel 14:40-42). The lots were used to select people for the Temple service (1 Chronicles 24:5-31; 26:13; Luke 1:5-9). In the New Testament lots were used to choose the replacement for Judas (Acts 1:26).
And it was not that the people of God had imitated this heathen practice against the will of God. God had clearly instructed them to use this practice. For example, in the division of the land God had told them to use lots, “Be sure that the land is distributed by lot. Each inheritance is to be distributed by lot among the larger and smaller groups” (Numbers 26:55, 56). Most of the incidents that we noted above about using the lots actually were according to the instructions given to them by the Lord. Nowhere is it mentioned that the Israelites were imitating a heathen practice in doing this.
Similarly, the Biblical description of the special clothing worn by the High Priest included an apron with a pouch in it to hold lots; known as Urim and Thummim (lit. lights and the perfections). It is believed that these were used and cast like dice, the manner of their fall somehow revealing God’s will. These were probably stones, most probably colored stones, placed in the breastplate of the High Priest which he wore when he went into the presence of the Lord and used them to ascertain the will of God in any important matter affecting the nation (Exodus 28:30; Leviticus 8:8; Deuteronomy 33:8; Ezra 2:63; etc.).
The idea behind making decisions by casting lots was that the decisions would be from the Lord and not from man’s choice. As Solomon said, “The lot is cast into the lap, but its every decision is from the LORD” (Proverb 16:33). God is sovereign, even in minutiae like so-called random throwing of dice. So, this was not like practicing gambling, but was used realizing that God would sovereignly guide the lots according to His will and plan. Another reason behind using this practice was that the outcome was totally outside the control of the parties involved, and so this method was considered completely impartial and there would not be any place for confusion and argument between the involved parties. “Casting the lot settles disputes and keeps strong opponents apart” (Proverb 18:18).
Since it was believed that the Lord’s hand was behind it, the method of casting lots was taken very seriously and was performed prayerfully. For example, when deciding the replacement for Judas in the New Testament, the apostles prayed, “Lord, you know everyone’s heart. Show us which of these two you have chosen…” (Acts 1:24). And so when they used this method, there was no gambling involved, but it was done with an assurance that the Lord’s will would be done. By casting the lots it was as if they were saying, “Lord, not what we want, but what you want”.
This raises the question: Can we use this method of casting lots to make important decisions in life today? The answer to this question depends on the situation. We use coin-toss in athletic events, which is very similar to casting lots and is very appropriate. Similarly when, for example, a husband and wife want to go out to a restaurant and both have different idea where to go, they can settle the issue by casting a lot, by tossing a coin, etc. So, there are situations where casting lots or tossing coins would be appropriate to settle the issue without any partiality.
However, we have to realize that this method was used in making decisions in the matters that were simple and straightforward like distributing the land among the tribes or deciding between two persons who were equally qualified for the job. There is not a single incident in the Scripture where the people of God used this method when there were complicated issues which required thoughtful consideration, weighing between good and bad or between the more acceptable and the less acceptable, like, for example, choosing a mate in marriage.
So the question still remains, does the Bible provide us any guidelines for such complicated matters? The answer to this question is a definite yes. Next month we will see some of the Biblical principles to follow in determining the will of God in major decisions of life.
The practice of casting lots is mentioned seventy times in the Old Testament and seven times in the New Testament. However, nothing is known about the exact nature of the lots. One possibility is that the lots were flat stones marked on both sides and could be tossed much like our coin toss today. Another possibility is that colored stones were placed in a bag or pouch and a priest or a diviner would reach into the pouch and pull out a stone. Or, he would shake the bag up and down with increasing vigor until one stone popped out.
This was a very common practice among the heathen nations. For example, during the reign of the King Xerxes, Haman cast lots to select the day and month to annihilate the Jews (Esther 3:7, 13). Similarly, the heathen sailors cast lots to find out who was responsible for the storm (Jonah 1:7). In the New Testament the Roman soldiers divided Jesus’ clothes by casting lots (Matthew 27:35; Mark. 15:24; John. 19:23-24).
It was not just used by the heathen nations, but it was also a common practice among the Israelites, the chosen people of God. For example, the scapegoat was selected by casting lots (Leviticus 16:7-10). The land was divided among the twelve tribes by using lots (Numbers 26:55; 33:54; 34:13; Joshua 18:10; etc.). Sometimes lots were used to identify the guilty person (1 Samuel 14:40-42). The lots were used to select people for the Temple service (1 Chronicles 24:5-31; 26:13; Luke 1:5-9). In the New Testament lots were used to choose the replacement for Judas (Acts 1:26).
And it was not that the people of God had imitated this heathen practice against the will of God. God had clearly instructed them to use this practice. For example, in the division of the land God had told them to use lots, “Be sure that the land is distributed by lot. Each inheritance is to be distributed by lot among the larger and smaller groups” (Numbers 26:55, 56). Most of the incidents that we noted above about using the lots actually were according to the instructions given to them by the Lord. Nowhere is it mentioned that the Israelites were imitating a heathen practice in doing this.
Similarly, the Biblical description of the special clothing worn by the High Priest included an apron with a pouch in it to hold lots; known as Urim and Thummim (lit. lights and the perfections). It is believed that these were used and cast like dice, the manner of their fall somehow revealing God’s will. These were probably stones, most probably colored stones, placed in the breastplate of the High Priest which he wore when he went into the presence of the Lord and used them to ascertain the will of God in any important matter affecting the nation (Exodus 28:30; Leviticus 8:8; Deuteronomy 33:8; Ezra 2:63; etc.).
The idea behind making decisions by casting lots was that the decisions would be from the Lord and not from man’s choice. As Solomon said, “The lot is cast into the lap, but its every decision is from the LORD” (Proverb 16:33). God is sovereign, even in minutiae like so-called random throwing of dice. So, this was not like practicing gambling, but was used realizing that God would sovereignly guide the lots according to His will and plan. Another reason behind using this practice was that the outcome was totally outside the control of the parties involved, and so this method was considered completely impartial and there would not be any place for confusion and argument between the involved parties. “Casting the lot settles disputes and keeps strong opponents apart” (Proverb 18:18).
Since it was believed that the Lord’s hand was behind it, the method of casting lots was taken very seriously and was performed prayerfully. For example, when deciding the replacement for Judas in the New Testament, the apostles prayed, “Lord, you know everyone’s heart. Show us which of these two you have chosen…” (Acts 1:24). And so when they used this method, there was no gambling involved, but it was done with an assurance that the Lord’s will would be done. By casting the lots it was as if they were saying, “Lord, not what we want, but what you want”.
This raises the question: Can we use this method of casting lots to make important decisions in life today? The answer to this question depends on the situation. We use coin-toss in athletic events, which is very similar to casting lots and is very appropriate. Similarly when, for example, a husband and wife want to go out to a restaurant and both have different idea where to go, they can settle the issue by casting a lot, by tossing a coin, etc. So, there are situations where casting lots or tossing coins would be appropriate to settle the issue without any partiality.
However, we have to realize that this method was used in making decisions in the matters that were simple and straightforward like distributing the land among the tribes or deciding between two persons who were equally qualified for the job. There is not a single incident in the Scripture where the people of God used this method when there were complicated issues which required thoughtful consideration, weighing between good and bad or between the more acceptable and the less acceptable, like, for example, choosing a mate in marriage.
So the question still remains, does the Bible provide us any guidelines for such complicated matters? The answer to this question is a definite yes. Next month we will see some of the Biblical principles to follow in determining the will of God in major decisions of life.
