Casting Lots
Casting lots is mentioned approximately 70 times in the Old Testament and 7 times in the New Testament. In spite of the many references to casting lots in the Old Testament, we do not know exactly how lots were cast. Based on Scriptures, it appears that the lots were different length sticks or smooth stones (Isaiah 57:6). And lots (plural) were cast to determine the one decision. That is multiple saints or saints would cast many lots and all lots pointed to the same conclusion. And we also see in Scriptures that sometimes these lots fell or pointed to a saint’s lap (Proverbs 16:33).
The primary reason for casting lots was to render an impartial, unbiased decision by Yahweh on important matters that could not be agreed upon. Once the lots were cast, no one could argue that the decision was the result of human intervention like nepotism, favoritism, personal agenda and so on.
There is nothing in the Scriptures prohibiting saints from using this practice of casting lots. In fact, Yahweh inclusion of two passages in Proverbs regarding casting lots confirms that this practice can be used for all time. When used properly, casting lot seeks Yahweh’s will and will stop contentions among the brethren.
Proverbs 16:33 The lot (1486) is cast into the lap, But its every decision is from Yahweh. (NKJ)
Proverbs 18:18 Casting lots causes contentions to cease, And keeps the mighty apart. (NKJ)
Believers need to be careful what matters are determined by casting lots. Remember, saints have the Holy Spirit to lead us into all truth and righteousness and Yahweh’s Word to be a lamp unto our feet. Therefore for determining doctrine or future prophecy, casting lots should not be used. Yahweh wants us to be mature, sensitive to His Holy Spirit, and know His Word so we will not seek him in aberrant ways.
2 Peter 1:20 Knowing this first, that no prophecy of the scripture is of any private interpretation. 21 For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man: but holy men of Yahweh spake as they were moved by the Holy Spirit.
Hebrews 1:1 Yahweh, who at sundry times and in divers manners spake in time past unto the fathers by the prophets, 2 Hath in these last days spoken unto us by his Son, whom he hath appointed heir of all things, by whom also he made the worlds;
As we will read in the following Scriptures, casting lots was primarily used to (1) choose the scapegoat by the High Priest, (2) determine ownership of land for the tribes of Israel, (3) choose order and activities in the tabernacle, (4) determine which Jews would return to Jerusalem after their exile, and (5) determine the twelfth apostle.
(1) Casting lots was used by Aaron to determine which goat would be used as the sin sacrifice and which goat would be the scapegoat and let free.
Leviticus 16:7 And he shall take the two goats, and present them before Yahweh at the door of the tabernacle of the congregation. 8 And Aaron shall cast lots (1486) upon the two goats; one lot (1486) for Yahweh, and the other lot (1486) for the scapegoat. 9 And Aaron shall bring the goat upon which Yahweh’s lot (1486) fell, and offer him for a sin offering. 10 But the goat, on which the lot (1486) fell to be the scapegoat, shall be presented alive before Yahweh, to make an atonement with him, and to let him go for a scapegoat into the wilderness.
1486 gowral {go-rawl’} or (shortened) lr’Go goral {go-ral’} • from an unused root meaning to be rough (as stone); TWOT – 381a; n m • AV – lot 77; 77 • 1) lot 1a) lot – pebbles used for systematically making decisions 2) portion 2a) lot, portion (thing assigned by casting lots) 2b) recompense, retribution
(2) Lots were cast to determine land for the tribes of Israel and cities for the Levites.
Numbers 26:55 Notwithstanding the land shall be divided by lot (1486) : according to the names of the tribes of their fathers they shall inherit. 56 According to the lot (1486) shall the possession thereof be divided between many and few. (Also see Numbers 33:54, 34:13, and 36:1-2, Joshua 14:2, 15:1, 16:1, 17:1, 17:14-17 and 18:5-11, 19:1-51, and 21:1-40, Isaiah 34:17).
(3) Lots were cast to determine position and services for priest duties, musical duties, gate duties, and wood offerings duties in the tabernacle.
First, casting lots was used to determine priest duties.
1 Chronicles 24:1 Now these are the divisions of the sons of Aaron. The sons of Aaron; Nadab, and Abihu, Eleazar, and Ithamar.
4 And there were more chief men found of the sons of Eleazar than of the sons of Ithamar; and thus were they divided. Among the sons of Eleazar there were sixteen chief men of the house of their fathers, and eight among the sons of Ithamar according to the house of their fathers. 5 Thus were they divided by lot (1486), one sort with another; for the governors of the sanctuary, and governors of the house of Elohim, were of the sons of Eleazar, and of the sons of Ithamar.
31 These likewise cast lots (1486) over against their brethren the sons of Aaron in the presence of David the king, and Zadok, and Ahimelech, and the chief of the fathers of the priests and Levites, even the principal fathers over against their younger brethren.
Second, casting lots was used to determine musical duties.
1 Chronicles 25:1 Moreover David and the captains of the host separated to the service of the sons of Asaph, and of Heman, and of Jeduthun, who should prophesy with harps, with psalteries, and with cymbals: and the number of the workmen according to their service was:
8 And they cast lots (1486) , ward against ward, as well the small as the great, the teacher as the scholar.
Third, casting lots was used to determine gate keeping duties.
1 Chronicles 26:1 Concerning the divisions of the porters (i.e. gatekeeper): Of the Korhites was Meshelemiah the son of Kore, of the sons of Asaph.
12 Among these were the divisions of the porters (i.e. gatekeeper), even among the chief men, having wards one against another, to minister in the house of Yahweh. 13 And they cast lots (1486), as well the small as the great, according to the house of their fathers, for every gate.
And lastly, casting lots was used to determine wood offering duties.
Nehemiah 10:34 And we cast the lots (1486) among the priests, the Levites, and the people, for the wood offering, to bring it into the house of our Elohim, after the houses of our fathers, at times appointed year by year, to burn upon the altar of Yahweh our Elohim, as it is written in the law:
(4) Lots were cast to determine who would dwell in Jerusalem after the Jews returned from exile.
Nehemiah 11:1 And the rulers of the people dwelt at Jerusalem: the rest of the people also cast lots (1486) , to bring one of ten to dwell in Jerusalem the holy city, and nine parts to dwell in other cities.
There are many Scriptures about non-believers casting lots. The most famous being when lots were cast for Messiah’s garments (Psalm 22:18, Matthew 27:35, Mark 15:24, Luke 22:34, and John 19:24). We will not review any of these Scriptures because they do not represent a righteous use of casting lots according to Yahweh’s will.
(5) Lastly, we have a New Testament description of lots cast to determine the twelfth apostle.
Acts 1:23 And they appointed two, Joseph called Barsabas, who was surnamed Justus, and Matthias. 24 And they prayed, and said, Thou, Sovereign, which knowest the hearts of all men, shew whether of these two thou hast chosen, 25 That he may take part of this ministry and apostleship, from which Judas by transgression fell, that he might go to his own place. 26 And they gave forth their lots (2819); and the lot fell upon Matthias; and he was numbered with the eleven apostles.
2819 kleros {klay’-ros} • probably from 2806 (through the idea of using bits of wood, etc., for the purpose); TDNT – 3:758,442; n m • AV – lot 8, part 2, inheritance 2, heritage 1; 13 • 1) an object used in casting or drawing lots, which was either a pebble, or a potsherd, or a bit of wood
Casting lots is for today’s saints. In fact one way it could be used in the assembly is to determine order within ministries. That is when there is more than one saint with a certain spiritual gift and there is contention about which one will perform a certain ministry first, casting lots could be used. If saints decide to use this practice of casting lots to decide an important matter there must be agreement that casting lots is from Yahweh, not a game of chance.
HalleluYah
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