dar334

This morning as I sat reading my chronological reading in the Bible for today, I had to smile, and make a note to ponder the lots.

In January I found a reading plan to read the Bible in a year, in chronological order, and in today’s reading from the book of Numbers I noticed the lot being used.  This is the first time I remember seeing it in this reading plan and I smiled because there was a discussion recently about people making decisions based on “a throw of the dice”.  I laughed when the discussion started, not because I thought anything negative when this was discovered by someone I respect in my church family, but because I saw in him what I have felt so many times since my journey began, that moment when something jumps right out and hits you square in the face.  The kind of thing that makes you stop and …………… ponder.  The kind of thing that needs to be shown to you in the Instruction Book in order for you to believe it.  Never mind google ………………… I NEED TO SEE THIS IN MY BIBLE!

Courtesy of carm.org I found this description:  Casting lots was a method used by the Jews of the Old Testament and by the Christian disciples prior to Pentecost (the Christian festival celebrating the descent of the Holy Spirit on the disciples of Jesus after his Ascension), to determine the will of God.  Lots were cast in my reading this morning from Numbers 26 to allocate the tribal inheritance in the Promised Land.  A census had been taken of the 12 tribes and the amount of land to be given would be proportional to the amount of names in the census, lots were cast to see which tribe got which “parcel” of land.  The primary reason for casting lots was to render an impartial, unbiased decision on important matters.  They landed according to God’s will.

In the New Testament, lots were cast to determine who would replace Judas after he killed himself.  Lots were not mentioned again after Pentecost and from what I’ve read, we now rely on the ministry of the Holy Spirit and the further revelation found in the New Testament.

In the event of lots being cast to divide the garments of Jesus when they crucified him, I have trouble believing the lot fell according to God’s will.  This is just an age old example of justification when God’s will is not being done.  In my opinion of course.

I was wishing I had a set of lots, but decided prayer is probably the best way to find out God’s will, followed closely by the art of listening after that prayer.  After all, if we had a coin to flip, I’m sure both sides would say “See Instruction Book”.

Wish that said, now my mind has been emptied onto this blog, and I can resume work.

-dar