What significance does "chosen by lot" have in understanding divine appointment? Setting the Scene “and he was chosen by lot, according to the custom of the priesthood, to enter the temple of the Lord and burn incense.” (Luke 1:9) Behind the Practice of Lots • Old Testament Israel used lots to discern God’s will in matters where human judgment might show favoritism (Joshua 14:2; 1 Chronicles 24:5; Nehemiah 11:1). • Proverbs 16:33 anchors the theology: “The lot is cast into the lap, but its every decision is from the LORD.” • By New Testament times, the priestly divisions still relied on lots for temple duties, keeping the process visibly impartial. God’s Sovereignty Shining Through • What looked random to priests was God’s precise timing—Zechariah’s once-in-a-lifetime incense duty matched the angel Gabriel’s arrival. • The same pattern surfaces later when “they cast lots for them, and the lot fell to Matthias” (Acts 1:26), showing God steering apostolic succession. • Even outside Israel, lots unveil hidden sin (Jonah 1:7) and allocate covenant inheritance (Joshua 18:10). Key Significances for Divine Appointment 1. Underscores God’s control over chance – No event escapes His providence; even a “random” draw executes His plan. 2. Guards impartiality – Lots removed human bias, spotlighting God’s choice rather than personal influence or seniority. 3. Signals timing and preparation – Zechariah and Elizabeth were “righteous before God” (Luke 1:6); their quiet faithfulness met God’s perfect moment. 4. Confirms legitimacy of calling – Zechariah’s vision inside the Holy Place left no doubt that John’s birth and ministry were God-ordained. Life Applications • Apparent coincidences—job offers, ministry openings, unexpected conversations—may be divine “lots” directing our steps (Psalm 37:23). • Faithfulness in routine prepares us for surprising assignments, just as Zechariah’s regular rota became history-shaping. • Trust replaces anxiety; because “every decision is from the LORD,” believers can rest in His unseen orchestration of each detail. |
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