My family has all been home for Christmas, which means group decisions must be made. Will we watch Master Chef or play video games? Who cooks and who does dishes? What time do we get up to open presents? These are not earthshaking decisions, but there were times when they took much negotiation and bargaining (as well as some begging and pleading). But as we are all adults now, this was done in a civilized manner, and without resorting to the perennial favorite of Rock, Paper, Scissors.
Did you know there was a version of this form of decision making in the Bible? Here it is called “casting lots” and it occurs in both the Old and New Testaments. We don’t know what the lots were. They could have been stones or straws. In the Old Testament the division of land was accomplished by casting lots. The priests had Urim and Thummin, some type of stones or markers, specifically designed to be cast to inquire answers of the LORD. In the New Testament, the soldiers cast lots for Jesus clothes. And after Jesus ascension, the disciples and other followers of Jesus gathered and cast lots to choose a replacement for Judas.
21 So one of the men who have accompanied us during all the time that the Lord Jesus went in and out among us, 22 beginning from the baptism of John until the day when he was taken up from us—one of these men must become with us a witness to his resurrection.” 23 And they put forward two, Joseph called Barsabbas, who was also called Justus, and Matthias. 24 And they prayed and said, “You, Lord, who know the hearts of all, show which one of these two you have chosen 25 to take the place in this ministry and apostleship from which Judas turned aside to go to his own place.” 26 And they cast lots for them, and the lot fell on Matthias, and he was numbered with the eleven apostles.- Acts 1:21-26
What is important to note in these examples is that they were used as means to know God’s will, especially in important decisions. Notice that in Acts 1:24-25, the disciples prayed before they cast the lots, asking God to show them His will for who would be chosen. When Saul had lost God’s favor by his wicked deeds, we are told “And when Saul inquired of the LORD, the LORD did not answer him, either by dreams, or by Urim, or by prophets.” 1 Samuel 28:6 God used this means to communicate with his people.
We must also that note that the casting of lots to choose a replacement for Judas is the last time we see this kind of decision making in the Bible. A quick look at the book of Acts reveals the reason why. The next event to occur is the fulfillment of Jesus’ promise to send “another helper”, the Holy Spirit, to dwell in believers. Following Pentecost’s events, there is no longer a need to use external means to inquire what God wants.
9 But, as it is written,
“What no eye has seen, nor ear heard,
nor the heart of man imagined,
what God has prepared for those who love him”—
10 these things God has revealed to us through the Spirit. For the Spirit searches everything, even the depths of God. 11 For who knows a person’s thoughts except the spirit of that person, which is in him? So also no one comprehends the thoughts of God except the Spirit of God. 12 Now we have received not the spirit of the world, but the Spirit who is from God, that we might understand the things freely given us by God. 13 And we impart this in words not taught by human wisdom but taught by the Spirit, interpreting spiritual truths to those who are spiritual.[d]
14 The natural person does not accept the things of the Spirit of God, for they are folly to him, and he is not able to understand them because they are spiritually discerned. 15 The spiritual person judges all things, but is himself to be judged by no one. 16 “For who has understood the mind of the Lord so as to instruct him?” But we have the mind of Christ. I Corinthians 2:9-16
I have the mind of Christ, and He will guide me in all of my decisions if I just take the time to inquire and listen to him. What a glorious thought to begin the 2013. It is sure to be another wonderful year if I allow Christ to guide my way. I hope you will allow Him to guide you too.
soli deo gloria,
Diane