In Hebrew class we’re translating through the book of Jonah. Yesterday, Jonah 1:7 (”And they said to one another, ‘Come, let us cast lots, that we may know on whose account this evil has come upon us’”) spurred a lively discussion about whether or not it is valid for a Christian today to use lots (which for us would be something like flipping a coin or maybe throwing dice) to discern God’s will about a particular situation.
Granted, the sailors in Jonah were pagans. However, the apostles cast lots to determine whether Joseph called Barsabbas or Matthias would take the place of Judas as the twelfth apostle (Acts 1:24-26). They asked God to show them which one of the two he had chosen, they cast lots, the lot fell on Matthias, and he was numbered with the twelve.
The situation we had in mind was a situation in which all other avenues of discernment have been exhausted (prayer, searching the Scriptures, godly counsel, using wisdom) and there are still two viable and equally desirable alternatives on the table. Is it appropriate in that situation to pray that God would make known his will and then flip a coin, casting yourself on his sovereignty as it is described in Proverbs 16:33:
“The lot is cast into the lap, but its every decision is from the LORD.”
What do you think?
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October 24, 2008 at 11:28 am
Tyler Kenney
I’m in no position to think or write long about this right now, but it’s interesting to note
1) that the apostles cast lots for Matthais BEFORE the coming of the Holy Spirit (who seems to have a pivotal role in this discussion, considering Jesus’ words about him in John 14:26 and 16:13),
2) and that there is no mention of lots being cast by them or anyone else in the NT after His coming (as far as I’m aware).
October 24, 2008 at 11:40 am
sandscribbler
Wow. I can see how that question would stimulate a discussion!
It would be helpful for me to understand what the typical parameters were around casting lots. Does anyone know?
Were there always just two choices? That is, was it always an either/or situation?
Were there always multiple people present? That is, was it always a corporate event? Gideon comes to mind as a counter example, but he wasn’t technically casting lots.
Did all those present agree to abide by the results of a single throw (i.e., no “do-overs” or “two out of three” or “best of seven” shenanigans going on)?
Did a designated person “throw the dice,” or was the final vote decided by a tally of everyone’s results?
If everyone threw dice or flipped a coin, did the results have to be unanimous, or did a simple majority (or 2/3 majority, or whatever) determine the outcome?
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The appeal of casting lots/rolling dice/flipping coins is that it seems to remove “politics” (and perhaps human responsibility) from the decision.
The danger, I suppose, is that people could be tempted to ignore the other sources of counsel you mentioned (supplication, Scripture, sages) and go straight to “the ultimate decision maker.”
October 24, 2008 at 3:16 pm
Lue-Yee Tsang
I believe this kind of situation is actually comparatively rare. It’s hard to be sure all things are equal, since there are so many principles at play from Scripture, but it they are as far as we can tell, I think it’s fine just to go with inexplicable preferences.
I think I’d also go to note that just because every decision is from the Lord does not absolve our responsibility for anything we have chosen that is wrong for us to have chosen. God’s sovereign will and providential working with evil cannot be equated, after all, with His moral approval.
October 24, 2008 at 10:21 pm
peacebringer
I don’t think we need the “casting” of lots, since we have the Holy Spirit.
The bible specifies that if anyone lacks wisdom, let him ask and it will be given.
When we go to “casting lots” mindset, we look to an external for an answer rather then seeking God’s direction and the still small voice.
Many times I have sought God over a matter and felt led in a certain direction. Sometimes my own thoughts fill in and am mistaken. We need to consistently seek after God and be fed with his word. We need not cast lots. It is tempting and times in my life that resort to it, it came down to not trusting God, or wanting a sure “sign” or other such factors.