In the instructions for the Day of Atonement, as outlined in Leviticus 16, the casting of lots plays a pivotal role in determining the roles of the two goats involved in the sin offering. Leviticus 16:8 describes Aaron casting lots, one for Jehovah and one for the goat of departure, ensuring that the decision of which goat fulfills each role is entirely in God's hands. This process underscores that human judgment is insufficient for such sacred choices, as God alone determines the assignment of these critical roles. The use of lots to assign roles is further reflected in other scriptural contexts, such as in I Chronicles 24-26, where governmental roles in Israel were determined by lot, removing ambiguity and affirming God's decision in the allocation of duties. Similarly, in the Day of Atonement ritual, the lots ensure that the selection of the goats—one to be sacrificed for the Lord and the other to bear the sins away as the goat of departure—is not left to human discretion but is guided by divine will.

The casting of lots for the two goats in Leviticus 16 served a significant purpose in establishing God's will. As Proverbs 16:33 states, the lot is cast into the lap, but its every decision is from the Lord. The Israelites used lots to determine God's intent, especially in contentious matters, ensuring that human fallibility did not interfere with divine direction. In the context of the Day of Atonement, following the priesthood's failure with profane fire, God commanded the casting of lots to decide which goat would be for Him and which would be sent away as the azazel. This act reminded the priests of their inability to choose correctly in worship and underscored that God dictates the terms of worship. The lots determined the functions of the goats, not typified personalities, as God reserved the decision for Himself, ensuring that the priest looked to Him for guidance.

In the account of Jesus Christ's crucifixion, the choice between Jesus and Barabbas illustrates a profound misalignment with God's will. Pontius Pilate, a Gentile governor who did not fear God, presumptuously allowed the people to decide which man should be crucified and which released, contrary to God's instruction that the high priest seek His will in such matters. The people and leaders chose Jesus for crucifixion and Barabbas for release, not out of recognition of Jesus' role before God, but to condemn Him and maintain their way of life. They despised Him, not valuing His pure blood for cleansing. Barabbas, pardoned by Pilate, bore no sins that day, not even his own, and was not led outside the camp to symbolize bearing the nation's sins under a divine curse. The notion that Barabbas could bear the sins of the nation contradicts God's sacrificial system, which demands an innocent substitute, as Barabbas was not unblemished. His role in the events of Christ's crucifixion was entirely unrelated to the Day of Atonement.

In the ritual of the Day of Atonement as described in Leviticus 16, the casting of lots plays a crucial role in determining the functions of the two goats designated as a sin offering. The high priest casts lots to reveal God's will, ensuring that God alone chooses which goat is for the LORD, meaning for His satisfaction through purging on account of the people's uncleanness, and which goat is for the azazel, designated for the complete removal of sins. This process underscores that God's thoughts and will are paramount in matters of worship, reminding the high priest that only God is qualified to determine how He will be worshipped. The use of lots in this context is unique, being the first instance in Scripture and the only time lots are used within the sacrificial system. Unlike other uses of lots, such as assigning tribal lands or duties, this instance specifically serves to designate roles for the goats without implying representation of opposing personalities. The phrase "for the LORD" indicates an action on account of or for the sake of the LORD, not a representation of Him, emphasizing that the chosen goat's blood would make atonement for His throne, Holy Place, and the altar closest to His presence. Similarly, the second goat, chosen for complete removal, becomes a substitute for the people's sins, not for any other entity, aligning with the pattern of the second bird in the leprosy ritual which symbolizes removal without representing an opposing force. Through the casting of lots, God designates one goat for Himself, for the cleansing required due to the people's uncleanness, and the other for bearing away the sins of the nation. This act ensures that the high priest defers to God's supreme choice in how atonement and removal of sin are accomplished, highlighting the importance of divine will over human preference in the sacred ritual.