What does the Bible say about casting lots?
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The Bible presents casting lots as a means sometimes used to settle disputes, assign duties, or discern a decision, while teaching that the outcome ultimately rests in God’s sovereign providence. Proverbs 16:33 declares that though the lot is cast by people, its every decision is from the Lord, and Proverbs 18:18 notes its usefulness in ending contention. Lots assigned the scapegoat and sacrificial goat in Leviticus 16:8-10, exposed Jonah’s flight in Jonah 1:7, and helped select Matthias in Acts 1:26. Yet Scripture does not command Christians to use lots for guidance; believers are ordinarily to seek God through his Word, prayer, wisdom, and the Spirit’s leading. Even the soldiers’ casting lots for Christ’s garments fulfilled Psalm 22:18 and displayed God’s purpose amid human sin.
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- Proverbs 16:33
The lot is cast into the lap, But its every decision is from Yahweh.
- Acts 1:26
They drew lots for them, and the lot fell on Matthias, and he was numbered with the eleven apostles.
- Proverbs 18:18
The lot settles disputes, And keeps strong ones apart.
- Matthew 27:35
When they had crucified him, they divided his clothing among them, casting lots,
- Psalms 22:18
They divide my garments among them. They cast lots for my clothing.
- Jonah 1:7
They all said to each other, "Come, let us cast lots, that we may know for whose cause this evil is on us." So they cast lots, and the lot fell on Jonah.
- Leviticus 16:8
Aaron shall cast lots for the two goats; one lot for Yahweh, and the other lot for the scapegoat.
- Mark 15:24
Crucifying him, they parted his garments among them, casting lots on them, what each should take.
- Esther 3:7
In the first month, which is the month Nisan, in the twelfth year of king Ahasuerus, they cast Pur, that is, the lot, before Haman from day to day, and from month to month, [to] the twelfth [month], which is the month Adar.
- Leviticus 16:8-10
[8] Aaron shall cast lots for the two goats; one lot for Yahweh, and the other lot for the scapegoat. [9] Aaron shall present the goat on which the lot fell for Yahweh, and offer him for a sin offering. [10] But the goat, on which the lot fell for the scapegoat, shall be presented alive before Yahweh, to make atonement for him, to send him away for the scapegoat into the wilderness.
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