Topical Bible: The Lot: Priests and Levites Designated By, for Sanctuary Service

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Topical Encyclopedia

In the Old Testament, the use of lots was a divinely sanctioned method for making decisions, particularly in matters related to the service of the sanctuary. The practice of casting lots was employed to ensure impartiality and divine guidance in the selection and organization of the priests and Levites for their respective duties in the temple.

Biblical Foundation

The use of lots is rooted in the belief that God sovereignly controls the outcome, as seen in Proverbs 16:33 : "The lot is cast into the lap, but its every decision is from the LORD." This principle was applied in the organization of the priestly and Levitical duties, ensuring that the service in the sanctuary was conducted according to divine will.

Priestly Duties

The division of priestly duties by lot is most notably recorded during the reign of King David. In 1 Chronicles 24, David, along with Zadok of the line of Eleazar and Ahimelech of the line of Ithamar, organized the priests into 24 divisions. The purpose was to establish an orderly rotation for service in the temple. 1 Chronicles 24:5 states, "They divided them impartially by drawing lots, for there were officials of the sanctuary and officials of God among the descendants of both Eleazar and Ithamar."

Levitical Duties

Similarly, the Levites, who assisted the priests and had various roles in the temple service, were also organized by lot. In 1 Chronicles 25, the musicians, who were Levites, were divided into 24 groups to provide music for the temple services. 1 Chronicles 25:8 records, "They cast lots for their duties, young and old alike, teacher as well as pupil."

Significance of the Lot

The casting of lots for the priests and Levites underscored the importance of divine selection and order in the worship of God. It removed human bias and ensured that each family or group had an equal opportunity to serve. This method of selection highlighted the belief that God was actively involved in the governance and spiritual life of Israel.

New Testament Reference

The practice of casting lots continued into the New Testament period, as seen in the selection of Matthias to replace Judas Iscariot as an apostle. Acts 1:26 states, "Then they cast lots, and the lot fell to Matthias; so he was added to the eleven apostles." This event reflects the continued reliance on divine guidance through the casting of lots in matters of spiritual significance.

Conclusion

The use of lots in designating priests and Levites for sanctuary service reflects a deep trust in God's providence and sovereignty. It ensured that the sacred duties were carried out according to His will, maintaining the sanctity and order of worship in the temple.

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1 Chronicles 24:5-31
Thus were they divided by lot, one sort with another; for the governors of the sanctuary, and governors of the house of God, were of the sons of Eleazar, and of the sons of Ithamar.
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1 Chronicles 26:13
And they cast lots, as well the small as the great, according to the house of their fathers, for every gate.
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Nehemiah 10:34
And we cast the lots among the priests, the Levites, and the people, for the wood offering, to bring it into the house of our God, after the houses of our fathers, at times appointed year by year, to burn on the altar of the LORD our God, as it is written in the law:
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Luke 1:9
According to the custom of the priest's office, his lot was to burn incense when he went into the temple of the Lord.
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Library

The Annunciation of St. John the Baptist
... the last time in life the lot had marked ... beyond its precincts, had summoned priests,
Levites, and people to ... Wondering, they had dispersed - people and priests. ...
/.../the life and times of jesus the messiah/chapter iii the annunciation of.htm

The Historical Books.
... For the remaining sixty years we have (1) the time from the division of the land
by lot to the death of the ... To the priests and Levites, especially, it was ...
/.../barrows/companion to the bible/chapter xx the historical books.htm

In Judaea
... ministering priests, to hear the chant of Levites, to watch ... of the taunts addressed
by "chief priests," "scribes and ... nine of these fall to the lot of Jerusalem ...
/.../edersheim/sketches of jewish social life/chapter 5 in judaea.htm

The Hebrews and the Philistines --Damascus
... The XXIst Egyptian dynasty: the Theban high priests and the ... Both clans and tribes
were designated by the name of ... Wellhausen has remarked that the lot of Levi ...
/.../chapter iiithe hebrews and the.htm