The Casting of Lots (Proverbs 16:33)

The casting of lots was a common practice in early history. We see this practice a few times in the Bible.

"The lot is cast into the lap, but the decision is wholly from the Lord - even the events [that seem accidental] are really ordered by Him." Proverbs 16:33, Amplified

Lots would be cast in order for important and/or spiritual decisions to be made. It may even be that the most common casting of lots for ancient Israel may be the Urim and Thummim. They were two rocks kept in a pouch and they were used in the making of very important spiritual decisions. For example we read, "He shall stand before Eleazar the priest, who sahll inquire before the Lord for him by the judgment of the Urim. At his word they shall go out, and at his word they shall come in, he and all the children of Israel with him - all the congregation." (Numbers 27:21, NKJV) And in another place we find, "And Saul inquired of the Lord, the Lord did not answer him, either by dreams or by the Urim or by the prophets." (First Samuel 28:6, NKJV) According to tradition, the Urim and the Thummim were two different colored rocks, possibly one black and the other white. When the people wanted to inquire of the Lord, they were consult the Urim. The question would be asked, and as either rock was pulled out, the answer would become apparent: black for no, white for yes. Another tradition holds that one of the rocks would actually glow, so that when a question was asked, both rocks were pulled out and if the one was glowing then the answer was yes. In truth we know very little about the Urim and Thummim. All we do know is that the keeper of the stones (if that is what they were) was the high priest as can be found in Exodus 28:30.

The most known story in the Old Testament had to have been that of Jonah. As he was fleeing form the Lord on his way to Tarshish the merchant ship he was aboard hit a horrible storm. Jonah ordered the men to cast lots to find who was at fault. The lot fell to Jonah and because of this, he was cast over board. Even in the New Testament we find the casting of lots for the twelfth disciple to take Judas' place. Lots were cast for the garments of Jesus as well.

Lots were the end all of disputes and the guide by which decisions were made.