- lot:
- Though God had sufficiently pointed out by the predictions of Jacob and Moses what portions he designed for each tribe, yet we readily discern an admirable proof of His wisdom, in the orders he gave to decide them by lot. By this means the false interpretations which might have been given to the words of Jacob and Moses were prevented; and by striking at the root of whatever might occasion jealousies and disputes among the tribes, he evidently secured the honesty of those appointed to distribute the conquered lands of Canaan. Besides, the success of this method gave a fresh proof of the divinity of the Jewish religion, and the truth of its oracles. Each tribe finding itself placed by lot exactly in the spot where Jacob and Moses foretold, it was evident that Providence had equally directed both the predictions and that lot; and it would be the greatest folly and presumption not to acknowledge the inspiration of God in the words of Jacob and Moses; the direction of his hand in the lot, and his providence in the event. "Notwithstanding¹¹ the landª shall be dividedª° by lot:ª according to the namesª of the tribesª of their fathersª they shall inherit.ª° ... According² to¹¹ the lotª shall the possessionª thereof be dividedª° between¹ manyª and few.ª" {Num 26:55-56} + "And ye shall divideª°¹ the landª by lotª for an inheritance²° among your families:ª [and] to the moreª ye shall give the moreª°¹ inheritance,ª and to the fewerª ye shall give the lessª°¹ inheritance:ª every man's [inheritance] shall be¹ in the place where¹¹¹ his lotª falleth;ª° according to the tribesª of your fathersª ye shall inherit.ª°" {Num 33:54} + "And Mosesª commandedª°¹ the childrenª of Israel,ª saying,ª° This¹ [is] the landª which¹ ye shall inheritª° by lot,ª which¹ the LORDª commandedª° to giveª° unto the nineª tribes,ª and to the halfª tribe:ª" {Num 34:13} + "The LORDª [is] the portion²¹ of mine inheritanceª and of my cup:ª thou¹ maintainestª° my lot.ª ... The linesª are fallenª° unto me in pleasantª [places]; yea,¹ I have¹ a goodlyª° heritage.ª" {Psa 16:5-6} + "¹ The lotª is castª° into the lap;ª but the whole¹ disposingª thereof [is] of the LORD.ª¹" {Prv 16:33} + "The lotª causeth contentionsª to cease,ª° and partethª° between¹ the mighty.ª" {Prv 18:18} + "Thenª shall the¹ Kingª sayª° unto them¹ onª his²¹ right hand,ª Come,ª° ye blessedª° of myª Father,ª inheritª° the¹ kingdomª preparedª° for youª fromª the foundationª of the world:ª" {Mtt 25:34}
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