What other biblical instances involve casting lots to determine God's will? The Gatekeepers and Their Lot (1 Chronicles 26:13) “They cast lots, the small and the great alike, according to their houses, for each gate.” Why Casting Lots? Trusting God’s Sovereignty • Proverbs 16:33—“The lot is cast into the lap, but its every decision is from the LORD.” • Casting lots expressed confidence that the Lord would overrule chance and make His will plain. Old Testament Moments of Divine Direction by Lot • Land distribution – Numbers 26:55-56; Joshua 18:6-10—Israel’s tribal inheritances decided “before the LORD.” • Exposing hidden sin – Joshua 7:14-18—Achan singled out when “the lot fell on the tribe of Judah… and on Achan.” • Choosing leaders – 1 Samuel 10:20-21—Saul identified as king when “the tribe of Benjamin was taken.” – 1 Samuel 14:41-42—Jonathan and Saul distinguished from the troops by lot. • Assigning priestly and Levitical duties – 1 Chronicles 24:5, 31—priestly divisions. – 1 Chronicles 25:8-9—musicians’ order of service. – Nehemiah 10:34—wood-offering rotations. – Luke 1:9—Zechariah “was chosen by lot” to burn incense. • Day of Atonement ritual – Leviticus 16:8—one lot “for the LORD,” one “for the scapegoat.” • Repopulating Jerusalem – Nehemiah 11:1—one in ten families moved to the holy city by lot. • Identifying responsibility in crisis – Jonah 1:7—sailors cast lots; “the lot fell on Jonah.” • Pagan casting overruled by God – Esther 3:7—Haman’s “pur” sets the date, yet God overturns the plot. • Miscellaneous uses – Proverbs 18:18—“Casting the lot ends quarrels and separates the strong.” Prophetic Foreshadowing • Psalm 22:18—“They divide My garments among them and cast lots for My clothing.” • John 19:24—Roman soldiers fulfill the prophecy by casting lots for Jesus’ tunic. New Testament Guidance • Acts 1:23-26—Matthias chosen to replace Judas: “Then they cast lots, and the lot fell to Matthias; so he was added to the eleven apostles.” Timeless Takeaways • Lots were never a superstition but a faith act acknowledging God’s complete control. • Each instance underscores the Lord’s intimate involvement in both sacred service and ordinary life. • While the New Covenant emphasizes guidance by the indwelling Spirit, every reference to lots reminds us that God’s purposes stand, and His Word is utterly reliable. |
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