A massive project, though a small land area.
Dividing to each Tribe of Israel their respective territories.
How was it to be done?
Joshua 18: 10 gives an example. “And Joshua CAST LOTS for them in Shiloh before the LORD: and there Joshua divided the land unto the children of Israel according to their divisions.”
Cast lots?
Like maybe drawing a stone out of a bag, with a particular color rock indicating a proper decision!
Or emptying (pouring them out) the contents of said bag onto the ground, and the way they happened to fall thereby prescribing a certain course of action!
Wow!
But … this thought must be added. It was believed by Joshua and the Jews that God Himself could (and did) control the way the stones “fell.” Read with me Proverbs 16:33. “The lot is cast into the lap; but the whole disposing thereof is of the LORD.”
So God clearly, back then (before all the Bible was complete and before the Holy Spirit’s Coming at the Day of Pentecost) God allowed this procedure, cooperated with it. He even commanded it in Numbers 26:55. “Notwithstanding the land shall be divided by lot: according to the names of the tribes of their fathers they shall inherit.”
So, I guess one might still believe that God can (and does) intervene in the so-called “chance” events of life! They really would not be “chance” situations anymore then, would they?
Even in the New Testament, the practice of casting lots continued. Including the choosing of Judas’ (the Betrayer of Jesus) successor, Matthias. “And they gave forth their lots; and the lot fell upon Matthias; and he was numbered with the eleven apostles.” This was done under Peter’s supervision, in Acts 1:26, if you remember.
Casting lots!
The Hebrew verb “cast” (spelled “shalak”) simply means “to throw.”
And the noun “lots” (spelled “goral”) means “a pebble or small stone.” (From a root verb meaning “to be rough,” as such little rocks often are.)
BUT NOW TODAY …
With a completed Bible (all 66 Books, all 1189 Chapters, all 31,102 Verses) and with the indwelling (filling, overflowing) Holy Spirit … do we need such “blind” methods of deciding the issues of life?
I personally think not.
The Holy Spirit is now our Guide!
The Word of God our Standard!
And Jesus in Heaven our Rock, not merely a pebble either!
In God’s Will … I find I always have peace.
Outside God’s Will … doubt or turmoil or hesitance!
Colossians 3:15 says it well. “And let the PEACE of God rule in your hearts.”
And the Fruit of the Spirit is … PEACE!