Contemplative Bible Reading

Proverbs 18:18 (New International Version)

Casting the lot settles disputes
and keeps strong opponents apart.

I read this week as well. It was another of those, “What does this say? This must be a misprint!” The writer of this proverb is telling me to “roll the dice” or “cut a deck of cards” to settle a dispute. That couldn’t be right, could it?

So, I went back to the “new” source I discovered this week, the Online Parallel Bible. All the different translations seemed to say the same thing:

GOD’S WORD® Translation (©1995)
Flipping a coin ends quarrels and settles [issues] between powerful people.

King James Bible
The lot causeth contentions to cease, and parteth between the mighty.

Not getting anywhere here. What is the deal? At the bottom of the page comes some insight:

Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary

18:17. It is well to listen to our enemies, that we may form a better judgment of ourselves. 18. It was customary sometimes to refer matters to God, by casting lots, with solemn prayer. The profaning the lot, by using it in matters of diversion, or coveting what belongs to others, forms an objection to this now.

Oh, maybe this is it. In “ancient” times people would caste lots (flip a coin, roll the dice) to refer matters to God. A long time of solemn prayer would precede this casting of the lot. They were trusting in God to show them the decision He wanted. The Apostles did this in Acts 1 to choose a replacement for Judas.

²³So they proposed two men: Joseph called Barsabbas (also known as Justus) and Matthias. ²⁴Then they prayed, “Lord, you know everyone’s heart. Show us which of these two you have chosen ²⁵to take over this apostolic ministry, which Judas left to go where he belongs.” ²⁶Then they cast lots, and the lot fell to Matthias; so he was added to the eleven apostles.

Note Henry’s Commentary on this. At some point in human history, this Godly practice was turned into a diversion or type of entertainment. This was profaning God, but it exists with us today.