Casting lots is a practice mentioned numerous times in the Bible and was used as a method to determine Gods will for a given situation. The practice involves making a chance decision by using objects such as coins, polished sticks, or stones that are thrown or drawn. Here are some key points about casting lots:
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Biblical References: Casting of lots is mentioned 47 times in the Hebrew Bible and seven times in the New Testament. It was used in various contexts, such as determining the division of land, selecting individuals for specific roles, and making decisions.
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Objects Used: Various objects were used for casting lots, including coins, polished sticks, and stones, depending on local customs and traditions.
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Significance: In ancient Israel, the High Priest used the tradition of casting lots for important decisions, which was seen as a way of consulting God for an answer.
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Last Recorded Use: The last recorded use of casting lots in the Bible is in Acts chapter 1, where the early church used it to select an apostle to replace Judas Iscariot.
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Modern Comparison: The closest modern practice to casting lots is likely flipping a coin, as it involves making a random decision.
Its important to note that the New Testament does not instruct Christians to use a method similar to casting lots for decision-making.
