Chance

The occurrence of events at random, as undesigned happenings. While people may perceive events as random, in Scripture all events are subject to God's sovereignty.

Chance in human life

Chance events

2 Chronicles 18:33–34 parallel 1 Kings 22:34–38 See also 1 Samuel 6:7–9; Proverbs 26:10

However, a certain man drew his bow without taking special aim, and he struck the king of Israel between the joints of his armor. So the king said to his charioteer, “Turn around and take me out of the battle, for I am badly wounded!” The battle raged throughout that day, and the king of Israel propped himself up in his chariot facing the Arameans until evening. And at sunset he died.

Human life seems to be governed by chance, not merit

Ecclesiastes 9:11 See also Ecclesiastes 2:17–19

I saw something else under the sun: The race is not to the swift, nor the battle to the strong; neither is the bread to the wise, nor the wealth to the intelligent, nor the favor to the skillful. For time and chance happen to all.

Providence at work through apparent chance

Jonah 1:17 See also Ruth 2:3; Luke 23:44–45 parallels Matthew 27:45, Matthew 27:51, Mark 15:33, Mark 15:38; Acts 16:26

Now the LORD had appointed a great fish to swallow Jonah, and Jonah spent three days and three nights in the belly of the fish.

Chance events overruled by God's sovereignty

The casting of lots and the element of chance

Proverbs 16:33 See also Numbers 33:53–54; Judges 20:8–10; Nehemiah 10:34, Nehemiah 11:1; Luke 23:34 parallels Matthew 27:35, Mark 15:24; Acts 1:23–26

The lot is cast into the lap, but its every decision is from the LORD.

Urim and Thummim, seeming to be dependent on chance

Exodus 28:29–30 The Urim and Thummim were used by the high priest to declare God's will. It was a form of casting lots showing either an affirmative or negative response to an enquiry. See also Numbers 27:21; 1 Samuel 28:4–6; Ezra 2:62–63 parallel Nehemiah 7:64–65

Whenever Aaron enters the Holy Place, he shall bear the names of the sons of Israel over his heart on the breastpiece of judgment, as a continual reminder before the LORD. And place the Urim and Thummim in the breastpiece of judgment, so that they will also be over Aaron’s heart whenever he comes before the LORD. Aaron will continually carry the judgment of the sons of Israel over his heart before the LORD.