What is Casting Lots?

RosaryGirl_777 · #1 Nov 24, '08, 1:45 pm

What is casting lots, how & why did they do it?

Ag_not · #2 Nov 24, '08, 2:23 pm

I dont know how accurate the information is but some stuff on lots here

Verbum · #3 Nov 25, '08, 8:41 am

Hi Rosary__,

"Casting lots" is using devices of chance, such as dice, to determine what an outcome will be. When the soldiers cast lots to know who would get Jesus' garment, they might have used dice or straws (shortest straw wins) or some other device.

Verbum

Usagi · #4 Nov 25, '08, 9:01 am

In addition to its use in gambling, casting lots was a permissible way, in both OT Judaism and early Christianity, to allow God to decide an issue.

The Jewish high priest's regalia included objects called the Urim and Thummim, which were used for such operations.

The apostles are also mentioned as having cast lots to allow God to select the replacement for Judas from the two candidates they had put forward.

Usagi

ryanoneil · #5 Nov 25, '08, 9:05 am

Casting lots is a game of chance. It would be like throwing dice or drawing the shortest straw or something. They did it because Jesus wore a one-piece garment which was symbolic of the clothes worn by the high priest of Israel (Lev 16:4). This implies that Christ acts as a high priest when he makes himself a sacrifice on the cross.

The garment was not to be torn (Lev 21:10) so they cast lots to see who would get it. Mat 27:35, 39 and 43 are allusions to Psalm 22. (v19 talks about casting lots)

It depicts the plight of a righteous sufferer. Although innocent, he is mocked and abused by the ungodly. He thus turns to God in his distress and petitions God for deliverance.

RosaryGirl_777 · #6 Dec 2, '08, 7:51 am

Thanks Guys

**NotWorthy** · #7 Dec 2, '08, 9:07 am

No, no, no, no, no.

Casting Lots was the ancient Israel way of trusting God to make the wisest decision. The High Priest had a box that he wore around his neck with two (what we think are) dice-like devices, called the Urim and Thunimm. Exodus 28:30 tells us: In this breastpiece of decision you shall put the Urim and Thummim, that they may be over Aaron's heart whenever he enters the presence of the LORD. Thus he shall always bear the decisions for the Israelites over his heart in the LORD'S presence.

Now, soldiers may have used it for gambling, but in Acts 1, the Apostles are emulating the high priest.

RosaryGirl_777 · #8 Dec 2, '08, 9:32 am

Quote:

Originally Posted by NotWorthy

No, no, no, no, no.

Casting Lots was the ancient Israel way of trusting God to make the wisest decision. The High Priest had a box that he wore around his neck with two (what we think are) dice-like devices, called the Urim and Thunimm. Exodus 28:30 tells us: In this breastpiece of decision you shall put the Urim and Thummim, that they may be over Aaron's heart whenever he enters the presence of the LORD. Thus he shall always bear the decisions for the Israelites over his heart in the LORD'S presence.

Now, soldiers may have used it for gambling, but in Acts 1, the Apostles are emulating the high priest.

So thats what the Urim and Thunimm. Cool