(from 3/9/24, CBB)
“Cast: [verb] to cause to move or send forth by throwing. direct. to put forth. to place as if by throwing. to deposit (a ballot) formally. to throw off or away. to get rid of : discard. shed, molt. to throw to the ground especially in wrestling. to build by throwing up earth.”
“Cast” is a really rich biblical word. As I reflected on Peter acquiescing to cast the net at Christ’s direction (though not without some resistance and questioning of the value of the action!), there were other reminders:
….of lots being cast, also, as a means of putting a decision or choice in God’s hands
….of casting an anchor to safely put a boat and crew at rest or of raising an anchor to cast off from harbor to sea
….of Jonah asking to be cast into the sea to spare his ocean voyage companions, knowing that he was the one this storm from God was admonishing and putting himself in God’s hands, for God’s mercy or punishment because of disobedience
….of casting bread upon water
….of a sacrifice cast upon an altar
There is a lot of cognitive choice in weighing and deciding to take such actions, volitional will and maybe even physical effort in completing the action, and sometimes emotional uncertainty about what such a choice and effort of a “cast” action will lead to.
One will, over time and with experience, learn to trust that God is present, sovereign, good, and will bring good out of such actions.