The Lord is awe-inspiring, fearsome, fascinating, intriguing, majestic, and full of splendor: breathtaking! Here is what I saw of him today and what came to my heart and mind in Joshua 18:10,
"Joshua then cast lots for them in Shiloh in the presence of the Lord, and there he distributed the land to the Israelites according to their tribal divisions."
Seven of the tribes of Israel had not yet received their portions of the Promised Land so Joshua had them send out survey crews to map out the land that would be available. When they returned with their descriptions Joshua "cast lots" in the presence of the Lord to determine which tribe got which allotment of land.
Exactly how the lots were cast is not known with certainty, but the Quest Study Bible comments, "They most likely mixed small marked stones in a jar and drew them out one at a time." However it was done, it prevented anyone from feeling the distribution of land was not impartial - there would be no favoritism as God would direct the distribution as the lots were cast.
We read in Proverbs 16:33, "The lot is cast into the lap, but its every decision is from the Lord." We find lots being cast in differing places in Scripture: Leviticus 16:8, 1 Samuel 14:42, Nehemiah 10:34.
"Joshua then cast lots for them in Shiloh in the presence of the Lord, and there he distributed the land to the Israelites according to their tribal divisions."
Seven of the tribes of Israel had not yet received their portions of the Promised Land so Joshua had them send out survey crews to map out the land that would be available. When they returned with their descriptions Joshua "cast lots" in the presence of the Lord to determine which tribe got which allotment of land.
Exactly how the lots were cast is not known with certainty, but the Quest Study Bible comments, "They most likely mixed small marked stones in a jar and drew them out one at a time." However it was done, it prevented anyone from feeling the distribution of land was not impartial - there would be no favoritism as God would direct the distribution as the lots were cast.
We read in Proverbs 16:33, "The lot is cast into the lap, but its every decision is from the Lord." We find lots being cast in differing places in Scripture: Leviticus 16:8, 1 Samuel 14:42, Nehemiah 10:34.
Casting lots accomplished two things. It removed the opportunity to treat anyone unfairly by favoring another. It also removed the potential for unfounded suspicion that that opportunity had been exploited. Both outcomes of our lost and fallen natures.
I find it interesting how the Lord at times provides solutions for his purposes given our shortcomings. It appears to me that it might be wise to take a clue here in heading off potential problems in following his example.
Anything of the Lord capture your heart from Scripture today? Share what moved you about him from your Bible reading today. I'd love to hear from you!
If you have someone you would like to receive these ruminations, send me their email address. I'm happy to add them to the list. If you are receiving this and would like to be removed from the list, just reply and let me know.
Anything of the Lord capture your heart from Scripture today? Share what moved you about him from your Bible reading today. I'd love to hear from you!
If you have someone you would like to receive these ruminations, send me their email address. I'm happy to add them to the list. If you are receiving this and would like to be removed from the list, just reply and let me know.
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