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Transcript 147D — Is Casting the Lot for Today?
CALLER: May I ask you a question and take my answer on the air?
HC: Surely.
CALLER: When the Book of Acts speaks of lots being drawn, when they chose Matthias to replace Judas, does this indicate that Christians today should use lots to make decisions? And if so, when and how?
HC: The question has been raised concerning the lots that were cast in selecting Matthias as a replacement for the apostle Judas Iscariot, who betrayed the Lord. The lots were cast to determine God's will. Was it to be Joseph, or was it Matthias who was to be the replacement? And they cast lots to discover God's will, praying, "Lord, who knowest the hearts of all men, show us which one of these two Thou hast chosen to take the place in this ministry and apostleship from which Judas turned aside. And they cast lots for them, and the lot fell on Matthias, and he was enrolled with the eleven apostles."
Now is there ever a time when we are to cast lots? Yes, there can be a time. I think this has to be done very very judicially. The casting of lots is a very sacred trust. It ought to be done only when we really are earnestly seeking God's will and praying for His will. It ought not to be done profanely in any way. Now perhaps it may be a situation where there are two alternatives, there are two opportunities to serve. We can't take both of these opportunities. We look at both of them, and weigh the pros and cons. And we find that they're equal in opportunity. And we really don't know what to do. In that particular instance it would be permissible, I think, based on what I read in Acts 1, to cast lots, to draw straws, but doing it in total dependence on the fact that through this you're asking God to guide.
I have seen this happen in the election of officers in a congregation, where a tie vote results between two men. And it is therefore impossible to know who should be chosen. And so the lot is cast in order to break the tie. Again, this is done prayerfully, and it really is recognized that in this way we are asking God to make choice. This would be permissible.
This ought not to be a frequent thing. This ought not to be a thing that is just done promiscuously. God gives us a mind. God helps us to think these things out and weigh the evidence. And we are able to make judgment. There generally is one path that is more wise than another. Therefore, because it is more wise, it ought to be the path that we ought to follow.
If God closes the door on that path, then we know also that God has spoken in this way, that this is not to be in accordance with His will.