“The lot is cast into the lap, but its every decision is from the Lord…Casting lots causes contentions to cease and keeps the mighty apart (Proverbs 16:33; 18:18).
The casting of lots was commanded by God to be used on occasions when His people needed to divide and assign responsibilities.
It was introduced in Moses’ day. On the Day of Atonement, two goats were to be sacrificed—one as the sin offering and one as the scapegoat (Lev. 16). The casting of lots identified which lamb would be given each assignment (v. 8).
In Joshua’s day, the casting of lots was used to distribute the final portions of the Promised Land among the last seven tribes (Josh. 18:2, 6, 10).
In David’s day, it was employed to make several assignments at the future temple: 1) Which priestly family would serve each month (1 Chron. 24:5ff); 2) Which musicians would play each month (1 Chron. 25:1); 3) Which family was assigned to be the gatekeeper for which gate of the temple (1 Chron. 26:13-14).
In Nehemiah’s day, lots were cast to decide which family would be responsible for the temple’s monthly wood supply (Neh. 10:34). It also determined who would be among the ten percent of the population which would live in Jerusalem (Neh. 11:1).
In the New Testament, the casting of lots over Jesus’ garments at Calvary (Mat. 27:35) was the fulfillment of David’s one-thousand-year-old prediction (Ps. 22:18). The casting of lots by the eleven apostles in Acts 1 determined that Matthias would be Judas’ replacement (v. 26).
In each of these examples, the belief that God would providentially decide the matter at hand in this manner spared everyone immense heartache and useless contentions. There was no wasted time spent second-guessing, having hurt feelings, or resenting the final outcome.
When God in His providence decides a matter, accept it and move on.
