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Daily Devotions

2 Corinthians

2 Corinthians 
Day 
Day 117

"As it is written..."

Text: 2 Corinthians 8:15

CITING THE SCRIPTURES

Paul loved the Scriptures and would cite the Lord’s Word astutely. His understanding and application of the Scriptures however would require careful study.

“As it is written, ‘He who gathered much had nothing
left over, and he who gathered little had no lack.'”
2 Corinthians 8:15

1. “As it is written”

a) This was a standard way of citing the Scriptures.
b) This is a reference to the written Word of God.
c) In particular the Old Testament.
d) The text cited was Exodus 16:18.

2. The original reference

a) This was a reference to the days of Moses.
b) God had given manna to feed the children of Israel.
i) This was a daily provision.
ii) The children of Israel were not supposed to keep the manna overnight.
iii) The manna would spoil if kept overnight.

3. “He who gathered much had nothing left over”

a) There were some who tried to keep the manna overnight.
b) They were afraid that the manna would not be given the next day.
c) They found to their horror that worms attacked the manna if kept overnight (Exodus 16:20).

4. “He who gathered little had no lack”

a) There were those who acted on faith.
b) They took only what was necessary for the day.
c) They found that they “had no lack”.

5. Application of the text in the Corinthian context

a) Paul was urging the Corinthian church to exercise faith in the Lord.
b) They need not fear that they would lack if they gave to the Lord.
c) The Lord would supply all that they needed.
d) There must be a great sense of consciousness of the Lord’s provision.
e) As the Lord fed the children of Israel for forty years in the wilderness so He would always look after the needs of His people in every generation.