Study 16: Casting lots | tm91 ~ studies

Casting lots

The lot is cast into the lap; But the whole disposing thereof is of the LORD. {Proverbs 16:33}

Casting lot in selecting the 12th Apostle.

"And in those days Peter stood up in the midst of the disciples, and said, (the number of names together were about an hundred and twenty,) Men and brethren, this scripture must needs have been fulfilled, which the Holy Ghost by the mouth of David spake before concerning Judas, which was guide to them that took Jesus. For he was numbered with us, and had obtained part of this ministry. Now this man purchased a field with the reward of iniquity; and falling headlong, he burst asunder in the midst, and all his bowels gushed out. And it was known unto all the dwellers at Jerusalem; insomuch as that field is called in their proper tongue, Aceldama, that is to say, The field of blood. For it is written in the book of Psalms, Let his habitation be desolate, and let no man dwell therein: and his bishoprick let another take. Wherefore of these men which have companied with us all the time that the Lord Jesus went in and out among us, Beginning from the baptism of John, unto that same day that he was taken up from us, must one be ordained to be a witness with us of his resurrection. And they appointed two, Joseph called Barsabas, who was surnamed Justus, and Matthias. And they prayed, and said, Thou, Lord, which knowest the hearts of all men, shew whether of these two thou hast chosen, That he may take part of this ministry and apostleship, from which Judas by transgression fell, that he might go to his own place. And they gave forth their lots; and the lot fell upon Matthias; and he was numbered with the eleven apostles." {Acts 1:15-26}

What lead to the casting of the lot?

The disciples wanted to follow the will of God according to the word of God. "this scripture must needs have been fulfilled", "For it is written"

* The desire of the heart must be to follow the will of God according to the word of God

What must be done before casting of the lot?

To the best of their ability, they were able to find two men, Barsabas and Matthias who meet the requirements of the Scripture. For inspiration says: "A bishop then must be blameless, the husband of one wife, vigilant, sober, of good behaviour, given to hospitality, apt to teach; Not given to wine, no striker, not greedy of filthy lucre; but patient, not a brawler, not covetous; One that ruleth well his own house, having his children in subjection with all gravity; (For if a man know not how to rule his own house, how shall he take care of the church of God?) Not a novice, lest being lifted up with pride he fall into the condemnation of the devil. Moreover he must have a good report of them which are without; lest he fall into reproach and the snare of the devil." {1 Timothy 3:2-7}

* We must follow all the light God has given us. Shall we cherish iniquity in our hearts, He will not hear us. (see Psalm 66:18)

* My son once asked me: "Dad, do you want to give me a popsicle or a marshmallow?" to which I answer: "neither, too much sugar". The disciples did not give God the choice between 2 unbelievers. They followed the word of God to the best of their ability and left the rest to God.

Why did they cast lot?

"Lord, which knowest the hearts of all men, shew whether of these two thou hast chosen" {Acts 1:24}

* God knows what the disciples do not know

"The lot causeth contentions to cease, and parteth between the mighty." {Proverbs 18:18}

* To stop contentions from rising.

"Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding." {Proverbs 3:5}

* The disciples trusted in God instead of their own abilities in selecting the best replacement for Judas.

OTHER EXAMPLES:

1) Division of land between the children of Israel in the land of Canaan

"And when he had destroyed seven nations in the land of Chanaan, he divided their land to them by lot." {Acts 13:19}

2) Selecting the Lord's goat and the scape goat on the day of atonement

"And Aaron shall cast lots upon the two goats; one lot for the LORD, and the other lot for the scapegoat." {Leviticus 16:8}

3) Assigning priest shifts

"According to the custom of the priest's office, his lot was to burn incense when he went into the temple of the Lord." {Luke 1:9}

How not to cast lot:

1) Asking for things that are in contradiction to the word of God. For it is written: "To the law and to the testimony: if they speak not according to this word, it is because there is no light in them." {Isaiah 8:20}

* Example 1: casting lot to get rich quickly, such as the lots in casinos: "A faithful man shall abound with blessings: but he that maketh haste to be rich shall not be innocent." {Proverbs 28:20}

* Example 2: Asking God for investment purchases instead of using what you have to pay down debt: " thou shalt not borrow" {Deuteronomy 15:6}

* Example 3: "Ye ask, and receive not, because ye ask amiss, that ye may consume it upon your lusts." {James 4:3}

2) Asking for direction when you already know what is the right thing to do.

* "Therefore to him that knoweth to do good, and doeth it not, to him it is sin." {James 4:17}

* "I have no faith in casting lots. We have in the Bible a plain “Thus saith the Lord” in regard to all church duties. " {Selected Messages Book 2, Page 328.5, previously unpublished during the life of Ellen White}

How to cast lot:

1) Asking in faith:

* "But let him ask in faith, nothing wavering. For he that wavereth is like a wave of the sea driven with the wind and tossed." {James 1:6}

* "Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you. For every one that asketh receiveth; and he that seeketh findeth; and to him that knocketh it shall be opened. Or what man is there of you, whom if his son ask bread, will he give him a stone? Or if he ask a fish, will he give him a serpent?" {Matthew 7:7-10}

* "And this is the confidence that we have in him, that, if we ask any thing according to his will, he heareth us: And if we know that he hear us, whatsoever we ask, we know that we have the petitions that we desired of him." {1 John 5:14-15}

*"Therefore I say unto you, What things soever ye desire, when ye pray, believe that ye receive them, and ye shall have them." {Mark 11:24}