Joshua 18 · a question people ask
Joshua cast lots "before the LORD" (18:6), and the disciples drew lots in Acts 1. Does the Bible show the lot as a way for God's people to decide after that?
Here is what the text says. The lot for the land was commanded through Moses: "the land shall be divided by lot" (Numbers 26:55), and "Wherever the lot falls to any man, that shall be his" (Numbers 33:54). Joshua cast the lots "in Shiloh before the LORD" (18:10). A proverb says, "The lot is cast into the lap, but its every decision is from the LORD" (Proverbs 16:33). In the New Testament the disciples, after praying (Acts 1:24), choosing one to take the place "from which Judas fell away" (Acts 1:25), "drew lots for them, and the lot fell on Matthias" (Acts 1:26). That is the last time the New Testament tells of lots drawn to decide something. Christians read this in two main ways. Both agree that in Israel the LORD decided through the lot (Proverbs 16:33).
How Christians read it
Where Christians differ, Favor sets out the main views side by side and doesn't pick one.
The lot belonged to that time
Those who hold this view note that Acts 1:26 comes before "the day of Pentecost" (Acts 2:1), when "they were all filled with the Holy Spirit" (Acts 2:4), and that afterward the church's decisions are told another way: "As they served the Lord and fasted, the Holy Spirit said, ‘Separate Barnabas and Saul for me’" (Acts 13:2), and "it seemed good to the Holy Spirit, and to us" (Acts 15:28). They take the lot as one of the ways God gave his people then, not a pattern for guidance now.
Acts 1:26 · Acts 2:1-4 · Acts 13:2 · Acts 15:28
The lot is still open to God's people
Those who hold this view point to Proverbs: "its every decision is from the LORD" (Proverbs 16:33), and "The lot settles disputes, and keeps strong ones apart" (Proverbs 18:18). They note that the New Testament doesn't forbid it, and that the disciples prayed before they drew lots (Acts 1:24). They take a lot, with prayer, as still open for choosing between good options, as Joshua used it to divide the land (18:10).
Proverbs 16:33 · Proverbs 18:18 · Acts 1:24 · Joshua 18:10
The verses
“Notwithstanding, the land shall be divided by lot. According to the names of the tribes of their fathers they shall inherit.”
“You shall inherit the land by lot according to your families; to the larger groups you shall give a larger inheritance, and to the smaller you shall give a smaller inheritance. Wherever the lot falls to any man, that shall be his. You shall inherit according to the tribes of your fathers.”
“You shall survey the land into seven parts, and bring the description here to me; and I will cast lots for you here before the LORD our God.”
“Joshua cast lots for them in Shiloh before the LORD. There Joshua divided the land to the children of Israel according to their divisions.”