THE LOT

 

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   LOT - in Hebrew "goral", in Greek "clairons" - the means described in the Bible, with the help of which God declares his will and reveals secrets.

   Examples:

   Numbers 34.13 and Joshua 14.2 - Division of the land between the tribes according to their numbers.

   Josh 7.16-18 - Finding out why the Israelites were defeated at Gai (it was Achan).

   1 Sam 10.20-21 - Saul is chosen as the first king of Israel.

   Jonah 1.7 - Determination on the ship going to Tarshish, who is the culprit of the storm - the prophet Jonah.

   Acts 1.21-26 - The selection of the twelfth apostle to replace Judas from two candidates.

   There is no doubt that the lot reveals the will of God, and this is also said in the parables of Solomon: “A lot is thrown in the floor, but its entire decision is from the Lord” (Prov 16.33). Lots were also used in the ritual on the Day of Judgment (Lev 16.5-10).

   The result of the lot is not something random, the result of which God does not determine or reacts passively. The lot is that, the outcome of which is not subject to people, but completely subject to God.

   God's decision may depend on people's stereotypes. So, the choice of Saul for the kingdom is due to the fact that the people considered high growth, athletic build and external beauty to be the main virtues of the king. This turned out to be a mistake, and the next king, David, was anointed to the kingdom in his youth and did not possess the above qualities, but he possessed completely different ones: modesty, nobility, courage, a bright mind, and most importantly, strong faith.

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   The question arises: what about lotteries and other gambling games?

   The answer is as follows:

   The purpose of roulette with a metal ball, dice, machines - "one-armed bandits" and the like is completely different. This is an attempt to acquire money in an easy way, instead of getting it as a result of labor. For most people, this leads to the loss of what is, namely ruin, but even those who won large sums of money, this money does not make them happy. In general, these phenomena from the world of sin are outside of God's framework, therefore, Satan rules in this world of accidents.

   The same can be said about other things outside of God's framework, that is, His words and commandments (mysticism and occultism, astrology and witchcraft, etc.).

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   Finally, I must say that there are more reliable means than drawing lots.

   The first and accessible to all now is the Bible itself. It contains God's commandments - the Decalogue - which should be the main principles of our life unchanged, including the fourth commandment about the Sabbath day. But, in addition, there are hundreds and thousands of more specific recommendations for different life situations.

   The second was not always given to the people of Israel and the church. This is the gift of prophecy. The first Christians cast lots before Pentecost, and after the descent of the Holy Spirit, the need for the lot disappeared and it was abolished (Acts 5.3,11.15-18, 13.2, 16.6-9).

   In the last days, this gift will also manifest itself.