Casting lots is a method used by Jews to make choices from among competing options. The practice is ancients in the culture of the Jews and was also used by the disciples of Jesus Christ before Pentecost. In this case, lots could take different forms, such as marked pebbles and sticks (Matt Slick, n.d). The people prayed before casting the lots to get the right direction. After praying, the lots are cast by throwing them into a small area and then interpreted accordingly. The Jews believed that casting lots helped to determine God’s will especially if there were competing points of views or choices. For example, after Judas Iscariot betrayed Jesus and left, the rest of the disciples had to find a replacement. They put forward Mathias and Barsabbas (also called Justus), prayed and cast lots that fell on Mathias, who became number eleven (Acts 1:23-26, NIV).
After the Pentecost, the disciples received the Holy Spirit, who Jesus had promised to send a Helper. From then onwards, the need to rely on casting lots became obsolete. The ministry of the Holy Spirits became the core consideration in making decisions. Therefore, praying was enough to reach an agreement.
Judas did not have a role to play in the making of decisions in the absence of casting lots. The Bible has no accounts that show Judas had an influence on how to make decisions among the disciples. However, after the Passover feast, Judas was due to betraying Jesus with a Kiss (Luke 22: 47-48, NIV). The identification process differed from casting lots. Nevertheless, the situation was different from what the casting lots entails. The decision was not from God and was not made in good faith since Judas had received a bribe.
Reference
Matt Slick (n.d). What is casting lots? Retrieved on June 26, 2015 from https://carm.org/what-casting-lots-in-the-bible
