| According to Jewish historian, Josephus, the Urim consisted of two sardonyx stones, each contained in a pouch in the Breastplate worn by the High Priest. One of the two stones shined brightly when God was present (or involved). It seems, that in verse 37 of the Scripture above, God did not answer Saul's request, but He did answer the other request, recorded in verses 40-42. The main obvious reason for casting lots was the impartiality of a certain decision. No one could argue that the decision was the result of politics, nepotism, favoritism, etc. It basically was the same as the casting of dice of today. They used different means of casting, depending on the location and customs. The varied from polished sticks to coins, cards, dice, and more. What is particularly significant is the fact that, in ancient Israel, the High Priest did use this method for important, uncertain decisions. It amounted to consulting God for the answer: "The lot is cast into the lap, but its every decision is from the Lord." ( Proverbs 16:33) The last recorded case in Scripture is on Acts 1:24-26, when the apostles asked God' decision of a choice between two men to replace Judas, through the casting of lots. "And they prayed, and said, Thou, Lord, which knowest the hearts of all [men], shew whether of these two thou hast chosen, That he may take part of this ministry and apostleship, from which Judas by transgression fell, that he might go to his own place. And they gave forth their lots; and the lot fell upon Matthias; and he was numbered with the eleven apostles. " (Acts 1:24-26) It has been an ancient practice for people to take upon themselves to enquire things unknown, through mediums, readers of cards, palm readers, diviners, etc. This is part of the occult that God condemns, as made abundantly clear in Deuteronomy 18:9-14: "When thou art come into the land which the LORD thy God giveth thee, thou shalt not learn to do after the abominations of those nations. There shall not be found among you [any one] that maketh his son or his daughter to pass through the fire, [or] that useth divination, [or] an observer of times, or an enchanter, or a witch, Or a charmer, or a consulter with familiar spirits, or a wizard, or a necromancer.
For all that do these things [are] an abomination unto the LORD: and because of these abominations the LORD thy God doth drive them out from before thee. Thou shalt be perfect with the LORD thy God. For these nations, which thou shalt possess, hearkened unto observers of times, and unto diviners: but as for thee, the LORD thy God hath not suffered thee so [to do]. It is quite OK to flip a coin or some similar method, like a draw, to determine a winner, or the like, with the understanding that the outcome is left to chance and nothing else. Thank you for your question and your interest in the Bible. |
