Politics, Polls, and Probability

     Many politicians of today claim they don’t follow the polls, if such polls are not favorable to them.  Others say the polls are a good indicator of the future, if such polls reflect them in a favorable light. 

     Polls and probability are closely related and are based on the mathematical likelihood, or percentage, of a future event becoming reality.

     But in God’s sovereignty, how significant are polls?

     Beginning in the early days of Israel, apportionments and appointments were made not by polls and elections, but by casting lots.

     “These are the areas which the children of Israel inherited in the land of Canaan…Their inheritance was by lot, as the LORD had commanded by the hand of Moses…”  Joshua 14:1-2

     Such was the method also used to select individuals.

     “And they said to one another, ‘Come, let us cast lots, that we may know for whose cause this trouble has come upon us.’  So they cast lots, and the lot fell on Jonah.”  Jonah 1:7

     Now before we conclude that there was ‘chance’ involved, we need to see how Solomon explained the casting of lots.

     “The lot is cast…but its every decision is from the LORD.”  Proverbs 16:33

     The Hebrew for ‘lot’ means ‘destiny.’  The Hebrew for ‘decision’ has several interesting synonyms including judgment, justice, right, and/or law. 

     Therefore, according to God’s predetermined sovereign choice, the lot fell accordingly in every instance.

     Let’s jump forward to the New Testament.  The event was choosing a replacement disciple for Judas.

     “And they proposed two: Joseph called Barsabas…and Matthias.  And they prayed and said, ‘You, O Lord, who know the hearts of all, show which of these two You have chosen to take part in this ministry and apostleship from which Judas by transgression fell…’  And they cast their lots, and the lot fell on Matthias.”  Acts 1:23-26

     But God’s choice of the individuals to participate in His plan is far more encompassing than illustrated by the casting of lots.  His complete sovereignty was made known from the beginning.

     For example, hundreds of years before Israel demanded a king, God had revealed they would indeed have a king; a king that God Himself would choose.

     “When you come to the land which the LORD your God is giving you…and say, ‘I will set a king over me like all the nations that are around me,’ you shall surely set a king over you whom the LORD your God chooses; one from among your brethren…you may not set a foreigner over you, who is not your brother.”  Deuteronomy 17:15-16

     High points from the above include God’s proclamation that He would choose Israel’s king and the king would be an Israelite, i.e. one who shared the ideology and religion given to national Israel. 

     Further in that passage God said that the future king would study the same law given to the priests all the days of his life to insure understanding and compliance with God’s required standard of justice.

     Approximately 800 years later God reiterated His sovereignty in choosing kings and kingdoms.

     “…the Most High rules in the kingdom of men, gives it to whomever He will, and sets over it the lowest of men.”  Daniel 4:17b

     This verse applied to the Babylonian king Nebuchadnezzar.  However, the same principle applied when God gave Israel king Saul to teach them a lesson.  He gave them what they wanted and deserved.  Sound familiar?

     Well nothing has changed.  God is still very active in American politics and the choosing of our leaders.

     “Let every soul be subject to the governing authorities.  For there is no authority except from God, and the authorities that exist are appointed by God.”  Romans 13:1

     The sovereignty of God and His hand in the affairs of mankind is beyond finite man’s comprehension.

     The recognition of God’s sovereignty does not negate each individual’s responsibility to support the candidate who best represents God’s standard of righteousness and justice.  In the same light, everyone needs to accept God’s choice for He does nothing without reason.

     Do you suppose one of the candidates will adopt the motto in question form, i.e. “Are we closer to God’s standard of righteousness today than 4 years ago?”

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