“The lot is cast into the lap; but the whole disposing thereof is of the LORD.” (Proverbs 16:33)
This was how in ancient times people determined God’s Will. It’s like drawing straws to determine who, a person out of a group, will or will not be the chosen one for a particular thing to do, or not do. The idea is that there is nothing by chance and God determines everything. Once the lot was cast, the thing was settled. “The lot causeth contentions to cease, and parteth between the mighty.” (Proverbs 18:18)
Casting lots was how Joshua divided the land for the Israelites when they obtained the Promised Land. “By lot was their inheritance, as the LORD commanded by the hand of Moses, for the nine tribes, and for the half tribe.” (Joshua 14:2) Casting lots was how it was determined which goat of two would escape and which would be sacrificed for Aaron and his family’s sins. “And Aaron shall cast lots upon the two goats; one lot for the LORD, and the other lot for the scapegoat.” (Leviticus 16:8)
We see the last incident of casting lots when the apostles after much prayer decided who would take Judas’ place as an apostle. “And they gave forth their lots; and the lot fell upon Matthias; and he was numbered with the eleven apostles.” (Acts 1:26) But casting lots is not mentioned again after the coming of the Holy Spirit to indwell in man. “And I will pray the Father, and He shall give you another Comforter, that He may abide with you for ever;” (John 14:16) There is now another way to know God’s Will.
Ezekiel prophesied about the Spirit of God that was to come and cause us to know and do His Will. “A new heart also will I give you, and a new spirit will I put within you: and I will take away the stony heart out of your flesh, and I will give you an heart of flesh. And I will put My spirit within you, and cause you to walk in my statutes, and ye shall keep m y judgments, and do them.” (Ezekiel 36:26-27) And although it’s not known who wrote Psalms 143, its fervor seems to be Davidic. In verse 10, the psalmist desires and prophesies that the Holy Spirit will lead him into making the right decisions and leading a life right before God. “Teach me to do Thy will; for Thou art my God: Thy spirit is good; lead me into the land of uprightness.” (Psalms 143:10)
Jesus had the fulness of the Holy Spirit on Him. He was led of the Holy Spirit, being in unity with the Father also and doing His Will. At the beginning of His ministry, He went to the synagogue and declared to those there Who He was and that He was obeying the Holy Spirit. “The Spirit of the Lord is upon Me, because He hath anointed Me to preach the gospel to the poor; He hath sent Me to heal the brokenhearted, to preach deliverance to the captives, and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty them that are bruised, To preach the acceptable year of the Lord.” (Luke 4:18-19)
The Holy Spirit now lives in us. He is the One Who now shows us God’s Will. “But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in My name, He shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you.” (John 14:26) The Holy Spirit is in communion with the Father and Jesus. What they say and decide, the Holy Spirit communicates to us. So, we can know what the Will of God is for our lives. “But God hath revealed them unto us by His Spirit: for the Spirit searcheth all things, yea, the deep things of God.” (1Corinthians 2:10) There is no need to cast lots, but to be in communion with the Holy Spirit Who lives in us. “Howbeit when He, the Spirit of truth, is come, He will guide you into all truth: for He shall not speak of Himself; but whatsoever He shall hear, that shall He speak: and He will shew you things to come. He shall glorify Me: for He shall receive of Mine, and shall shew it unto you. All things that the Father hath are Mine: therefore said I, that He shall take of Mine, and shall shew it unto you.” (John 16:13-15)
We are led by the Spirit of God and do His Will as He leads. “For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God.” (Romans 8:14) We are to allow the Holy Spirit to guide us in what we say and what we do. This is walking in the Spirit, obeying the Holy Spirit and refusing to live by our selfish desires. “This I say then, Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfil the lust of the flesh.” (Galatians 5:16) We can know what the Will of God is by the Holy Spirit and without casting lots.
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