Reformed Doctrine Daily Devotions

Why were there left-overs?  Why are there the details of the left-overs in verse 17? 

What is the importance of left-overs?  Isn’t it enough that the five thousand were fed?!

There are some interesting stories of left-overs in Scripture.

“Now a man came from Baal-shalishah, and brought the man of God bread of the first fruits, twenty loaves of barley and fresh ears of grain in his sack.  And he said, “Give them to the people that they may eat.”  His attendant said, “What, will I set this before a hundred men?” But he said, “Give them to the people that they may eat, for thus says the LORD, ‘They shall eat and have some left over.'”  So he set it before them, and they ate and had some left over, according to the word of the LORD.”  2 Kings 4:42-44. 

2 Chronicles 31:10
Azariah the chief priest of the house of Zadok said to him, ” Since the contributions began to be brought into the house of the LORD, we have had enough to eat with plenty left over, for the LORD has blessed His people, and this great quantity is left over.”

“They also had a few small fish;  and after He had blessed them, He ordered these to be served as well.  And they ate and were satisfied; and they picked up seven large baskets full of what was left over of the broken pieces.  About four thousand were there; and He sent them away.”  Mark 8:7-9.

So, again, what is the importance of left-overs?

Left-overs show that God is “infinite” and that God is “the overflowing fountain of all good”.  Even five thousand cannot deplete God’s resources.  God’s goodness and supplies overflow into left-overs.  The Belgic Confession states:

Article 1: That there is One Only God.

We all believe with the heart, and confess with the mouth, that there is one only simple and spiritual Being, which we call God; and that he is eternal, incomprehensible, invisible, immutable, infinite, almighty, perfectly wise, just, good, and the overflowing fountain of all good.”  (Emphasis added.) 

God does not just give us what we need.  Our cup overflows.  “You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies;  You have anointed my head with oil;  My cup overflows.  Surely goodness and lovingkindness will follow me all the days of my life, And I will dwell in the house of the LORD forever.”  Psalm 23:5-6.

In conclusion, these left-overs are not just for the purpose of our enjoyment.  These left-overs also serve to teach us about God.  “Thus says the LORD, “Let not a wise man boast of his wisdom, and let not the mighty man boast of his might, let not a rich man boast of his riches;  but let him who boasts boast of this, that he understands and knows Me, that I am the LORD who exercises lovingkindness, justice and righteousness on earth;  for I delight in these things,” declares the LORD.”  Jeremiah 9:23-24.  (Emphasis added.)