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Reading from the Expositor's Bible Commentary 
Is it biblical to cast lots (e.g. use a dice) to divine God's Will ? (Little Man of God)
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This may be helpful: After determining qualifications and praying, they "drew lots, and the lot fell to Matthias." The Greek literally reads, "They gave lots to them" (edokan klerous autois), which is a Hebrew idiom for "casting" or "throwing" down various kinds of marked objects in order to determine God's will. The practice was common within Israel and the ancient world, generally, and is probably best illustrated by Proverbs 16:33: "The lot is cast into the lap, but its every decision is from the Lord." So by the appointment of Christ himself, the full complement of apostles was restored and the church was ready for the coming of the Holy Spirit and the beginning of its mission. This pericope on the selection of Matthias has a number of significant implications. In the first place, it shows the necessity of a hermeneutical methodology that is able to distinguish between normative principles and culturally restricted practices in the progressive revelation of the Bible. We are exhorted as Christians to "search the Scriptures" and to "know what is the will of the Lord"--exhortations that are normative. But the early church's midrashic exegesis and the practice of casting lots were methods for interpreting the OT and determining God's will used at that time, and we need not be bound by them today. Second, the pericope suggests that a Christian decision regarding vocation entails (1) evaluating personal qualifications, (2) earnest prayer, and (3) appointment by Christ himself--an appointment that may come in some culturally related fashion, but in a way clear to those who seek guidance. ++I think the apostles have done all that was necessary to ensure that the final selection be as objective and unbiased as possible. With the criteria laid down two men were singled out among others. The ultimate decision was God's to make. It was a lot that had to be preceded by prayer, and therefore it was no shortcut to making decisions. All would have to submit to the Lord's hand in this as no one would be in any position to favour one over the other. I believe the apostles made the best decision to adopt the casting of lots for such an important and unique situation. Not only was there consensus in choosing this method, it was also not feasible to better this alternative, short of God making a special visible visitation to point fingers. The point of the Holy Spirit not having being poured out would also be a point for consideration. So is it biblical to cast lots today? I don't rule that out, provided the circumstances are similar and such that there is no better alternative. But it should not be a convenient substitute for travailing in prayer and seeking the mind of Christ with the church. What is undesirable would be for someone to sidestep the need to listen to the body of Christ and to submit to wise counsel by resorting to casting lots for all sorts of decisions. This would be like pagan divination. |
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Hi RTC How is your house church going? Regards (eom) by Yesuthass, 2001, Nov 21
Thanks for asking by RTC, 2001, Nov 21
Thank You by Yesuthass, 2001, Nov 22
Reply by RTC, 2001, Nov 23
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