Trial By Lot
Today, some people use the method of “drawing the short straw”. One person holds a stack of straws in their hand, covering the true length inside of their fist. Each person takes turns pulling the straws at random, and whoever draws the short stick is the unlucky guy or gal who has to do whatever it is that no one else wanted to. This is more often used as a movie trope, rather than a scenario anyone has to deal with in real life.
This modern-day practice most likely came from the trial by lots. Just like today, people might see a murderer or thief and give a physical description, but it could match a half dozen people living in the same town. In modern times, witnesses are asked to pick the man out from a lineup. In ancient times, they left that part up to God.
A priest had several metal rods. One had a cross on it, and the others had the names of the people who were accused of the crime. The alter boys were asked to drape a cloth over top of the rods, reach their hand under, and pull out one of the sticks at random. If the very first rod had the image of the cross, they took this as a sign from God that every person in that room was innocent, and everyone got to go home. However, if the first rod was the name of a person, they were allowed to leave. They kept going, until by process of elimination, the last man to be picked by fate was presumed guilty.