Tag Archives: casting lots

The Replacement

In life you always have to be prepared for the unexpected.  Death, injury or sickness is a daily occurrence causing companies, organizations or teams to search for a suitable replacement.  The NFL has created practice squads, MLB has its minor leagues and most businesses use interns to ascertain a potential substitute if necessary.  While each system may have its own flaws, management understands this vital role to insure their success in the future.

Therefore it is necessary to choose one of the men who have been with us the whole time the Lord Jesus was living among us, Acts 1:21.

Following the suicide of Judas, feeling guilty after betraying Jesus, the disciples were short one person.  Based upon the leadership structure, continuing without a treasurer would have been futile.  Thus, one of Jesus’ last commands to his disciples was to find a replacement.  Although the method chosen was unusual, the lots that were cast fell upon Matthias.

Then they cast lots, and the lot fell to Matthias; so he was added to the eleven apostles, acts 1:26.

Sometimes the Bible and God doesn’t make sense.  This is one of those occasions.  Yet, when I thought about this for a moment, casting lots is similar to prayer.  You have a 50/50 chance.  If you want to get technical, 33.3 % as God can either answer your request, deny it or respond with not now.  Therefore, whether you’re looking to replace an athlete, co-worker or spiritual leader, don’t forget to add prayer to your decision making process.  Whatever you decide, may the Lord give you wisdom when the time comes to choose a replacement.

by Jay Mankus

 

Drawing Straws

Sometimes things in the Bible don’t make sense, especially practices like drawing straws.  On a ship to Tarshish, sailor’s casts lots to see who was to blame for the great storm.  The smallest lot fell on Jonah, 1:7.  When the disciples had to replace Judas after his death, they too cast lots in Acts 1:26.  This time the lot fell on Matthias.

So what are modern day believers to make of this?  Is this practice obsolete?  Should casting lots be limited to certain situations?  Or should we actively rely on this biblical practice?  Jonah suggests that when a person like Jonah is not acting as they should be, you can use casting lots to weed out an negative influence.  Acts 1 refers to certain qualifications that can serve as an initial divider, but God can reveal the right person for a position.

As I think about this biblical practice, I am reminded of Job’s words in his first 2 chapters, “the Lord gives and the Lord takes away.”  All of us have lost someone or something, near and dear to our hearts.  In life, some times we draw the smallest straw, resulting in losing a job, failing to succeed or remaining obscure for most of your life.  When the lot falls of you, you have one of 2 choices, have a pity party or humble yourself before the Lord our God.  In the end, even when all hope seems to fail, the Lord will lift up the humble, Proverbs 11:2.  Like Jonah, walk the plank and pray God will send a whale to talk you where you belong.

by Jay Mankus