Casting Lots: How to Discern God’s Will

[Pim Pendergast]

When my wife told me someone had been stealing from the cookie jar, I called my four children into the living room and asked the thief to come forward. No one fessed up, so I cast lots and found out it was my youngest son, Peter. He was dealt with accordingly – with the rod. Casting lots to determine guilt is a thoroughly Biblical practice. Take the story of Jonah.

Jon1:3 But Jonah rose up to flee unto Tarshish from the presence of the LORD, and went down to Joppa; and he found a ship going to Tarshish: so he paid the fare thereof, and went down into it, to go with them unto Tarshish from the presence of the LORD.
Jon1:4 But the LORD sent out a great wind into the sea, and there was a mighty tempest in the sea, so that the ship was like to be broken.
[. . .]
Jon1:7 And they said every one to his fellow, Come, and let us cast lots, that we may know for whose cause this evil is upon us. So they cast lots, and the lot fell upon Jonah.

Jonah disobeyed God by trying to sail away to Tarshish, so He sent a storm. To find out who had brought the storm on, the crew cast lots and found that Jonah was responsible. Johnathan was also found guilty by lot (1 Sam 14:42) and Achan probably was as well (Jos 7).

This has tremendous implications for our court system. We don’t need judges and juries. A truly theocratic society would determine guilt or innocence and settle civil disputes through casting lots.

Prov 18:18 The lot causeth contentions to cease, and parteth between the mighty.

The skeptic may object that we are relying on chance, but nothing could be further from the truth. Each roll of the dice reveals God’s will.

Prov 16:33 The lot is cast into the lap; but the whole disposing thereof is of the LORD.

The casting of lots is non-random. It is 100% reliable and accurate. It gives me great confidence to know that so many important decisions made in the Bible were determined by casting lots.

A new Apostle was appointed by lot.

Acts 1:23-26
And they appointed two, Joseph called Barsabas, who was surnamed Justus, and Matthias.
24 And they prayed, and said, Thou, Lord, 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; and the lot fell upon Matthias; and he was numbered with the eleven apostles.

The annual scapegoat was determined by lot.

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

The division of the land of Canaan was determined by lot.

Jos 18:6 Ye shall therefore describe the land into seven parts, and bring the description hither to me, that I may cast lots for you here before the LORD our God.

Haman cast lots to determine on which day he would destroy the Jews. He didn’t succeed, of course, but at least he determined the day on which the Jews would celebrate Purim (Est 3:7; cf 9:26-28).

I feel sorry for all those poor deluded lost souls who read tea leaves or tarot cards to determine their fate. The Hebrew word for lot is gorawl (pebble). The ancient Hebrews cast stones to determine the will of God. Simple as that. The Bible warns against divination.

Deut 18:10 There shall not be found among you any one that maketh his son or his daughter to pass through the fire, or that useth divination, or an observer of times, or an enchanter, or a witch.

Lev 19:26 Ye shall not eat any thing with the blood: neither shall ye use enchantment, nor observe times.

Next time you need to solve a problem in the home or in the church, don’t rely on random investigative work – cast lots!

[Cranky Old Man]

Re: Casting Lots: How to Discern God’s Will

I feel sorry for all those poor deluded lost souls who read tea leaves or tarot cards to determine their fate.

They will clearly burn in Hell for witchcraft (Exodus 22:18). Satan no doubt introduced tea as tea is not in the Bible. Atheists will point to Ezekiel 47:12, but that's about the medicinal use of leaves. Medicinal use of leaves is always allowed but actually enjoying it is Satanic and will buy you a one way ticket to Hell.

[Johny Joe Hold]

Re: Casting Lots: How to Discern God’s Will

It's so obvious God listens to prayers said over the casting of lots. We can be assured He guides the results.

Reading tara cards and tea leaves are practices from the Pagans, enemies of God. It is inconceiviable God would have any role in the outcomes of tara cards and tea leaves.

[Attila's Wife]

Re: Casting Lots: How to Discern God’s Will

Most interesting, Brother Dr Pendergast. I think (after reading it through several times) that I understand most of it, but I am a bit puzzled by this part.

The Hebrew word for lot is gorawl (pebble). The ancient Hebrews cast stones to determine the will of God. Simple as that.

This made me think of the beautiful story of Our and the woman taken in adultery, specifically of John 8:7

So when they continued asking him, he lifted up himself, and said unto them, He that is without sin among you, let him first cast a stone at her.

Is Jesus talking about stoning the woman for adultery (as I had always understood it)? Or is he suggesting that a True Christian™ in the group should cast lots, using a stone, in order to judge her innocence or guilt, so as to decide whether or not she should be stoned?

I am sure this is a foolish question, but you know how I have come to rely on your explanations in matters of theology.

Next time you need to solve a problem in the home or in the church, don’t rely on random investigative work – cast lots!

I certainly shall! Is there a preferred device for this - flipping a coin seems the simplest and most accessible method, but is this acceptable to ?

YiC
AW

[Pim Pendergast]

Re: Casting Lots: How to Discern God’s Will

This made me think of the beautiful story of Our and the woman taken in adultery, specifically of John 8:7

So when they continued asking him, he lifted up himself, and said unto them, He that is without sin among you, let him first cast a stone at her.

Is Jesus talking about stoning the woman for adultery (as I had always understood it)? Or is he suggesting that a True Christian™ in the group should cast lots, using a stone, in order to judge her innocence or guilt, so as to decide whether or not she should be stoned?

There was no need to cast lots. This woman had been caught in the very act of adultery -- or so the Pharisees said (Jn 8:4). You only need to cast lots if there were no witnesses. God knows what really happened, and He controls the decision of the lot.

I certainly shall! Is there a preferred device for this - flipping a coin seems the simplest and most accessible method, but is this acceptable to ?

I would be careful about using methods not prescribed in the Bible. Casting stones is okay, but if you change the method just a little, you might end up committing divination.

[Attila's Wife]

Re: Casting Lots: How to Discern God’s Will

There was no need to cast lots. This woman had been caught in the very act of adultery

Of course! I am a fool of a woman! (But you knew that.) Thank you for correcting me with such kindness.

-- or so the Pharisees said (Jn 8:4).

Well, there is that too. Perhaps the fact that this testimony came from an unreliable source was the reason why seemed so unwilling to condone her being stoned, in this particular case?

I would be careful about using methods not prescribed in the Bible. Casting stones is okay, but if you change the method just a little, you might end up committing divination.

Thank you again - I can see how easily one might cross the line there. I am not absolutely sure of the correct method for casting stones, but will do my best.

YiC
AW

[Godfly]

Re: Casting Lots: How to Discern God’s Will

I cast lots and determined that George Zimmerman was innocent of any wrong doing. I didn't do it right the first couple of times but when I finally figured it out I learned the truth.

[Faith_Machine]

Re: Casting Lots: How to Discern God’s Will

How, exactly, do I cast lots? Does this involve dice?

[Godfly]

Re: Casting Lots: How to Discern God’s Will

How, exactly, do I cast lots? Does this involve dice?

Whoa there! You need to be careful! A guy could burn for all eternity throwing dice around!

[Faith_Machine]

Re: Casting Lots: How to Discern God’s Will

Whoa there! You need to be careful! A guy could burn for all eternity throwing dice around!

Well that's what I thought, and that's why I got rid of all my dice and playing cards when I got saved, but you'll recall I did fill in as Pastor Zeke's personal valet during his last fundraising junket to Las Vegas, and I got the impression from that experience that gambling is not always frowned upon.

[Pastor Ezekiel]

Re: Casting Lots: How to Discern God’s Will

Well that's what I thought, and that's why I got rid of all my dice and playing cards when I got saved, but you'll recall I did fill in as Pastor Zeke's personal valet during his last fundraising junket to Las Vegas, and I got the impression from that experience that gambling is not always frowned upon.

I told you, we were checking the dice and slot machines for demons. Casinos make huge Love Offerings for that service!

[Attila's Wife]

Re: Casting Lots: How to Discern God’s Will

How, exactly, do I cast lots?

This is what I want to know too, Brother. I have tried various methods but the results seem to be random, so I am obviously doing it wrong. Or is it something only men can do? Should I ask one of my sons or grandsons to cast lots on my behalf - and if so, how do I decide which one to ask?

Psalm 119:34

Give me understanding, and I shall keep thy law;
Yea, I shall observe it with my whole heart.

[Witch Hammer]

Re: Casting Lots: How to Discern God’s Will

I once cast lots to determine if a 5 dollar bill missing from my wallet was taken by my youngest daughter. Sure enough, the stones proved her guilty. She balked when I explained what she must do to spare herself an eternity in hellfire (Matthew 18:8), so I, with much love, put her in restraints and removed the offending hand with a hack saw. I still have yet to recieve thanks from her, but I am a patient man. I feel slight guilt for providing her future husband with an inefficient dishwasher, though. Maybe I will offer him 20% off on the purchase price when the time comes.

After I saved my daughter's soul (if she has one, only God knows), I discovered that satan had sneakily placed the $5 back in my wallet, hidden behind one of my credit cards, so as to try and shake my faith in Christ's divine method of ferreting out sinners. He is a sly one, that devil, but not to be taken seriously.

[Mother Of Seven]

Re: Casting Lots: How to Discern God’s Will

Dice and their forerunners are the oldest gaming implements known to man. Sophocle reported that dice were invented by the legendary Greek Palamedes during the siege of Troy, whereas Herodotus maintained that they were invented by the Lydians in the days of King Atys. Both “inventions” have been discredited by numerous archaeological finds demonstrating that dice were used in many earlier societies.
The precursors of dice were magical devices that (people of Biblical times) used for the casting of lots ... The probable immediate forerunners of dice were knucklebones (astragals: the anklebones of sheep, buffalo, or other animals), sometimes with markings on the four faces. Such objects are still used in some parts of the world.

(Encyclopaedia Britannica).


I think the answer is to use knucklebones. Invented to cast lots, Satan no doubt interfered and decided to use them for gambling. So provided you never use your knucklebones for gambling, you should be able to safely use them for casting lots. Once they're used for gambling, they're contaminated by Satan, and will not give you the answer you seek.