John Calvin Commentary Exodus 16:17

"And the children of Israel did so, and gathered some more, some less." — Exodus 16:17 (ASV)

And the children of Israel did so. I do not think that the people's obedience is greatly praised here, since soon after, Moses adds that some, not content with their due allowance, collected more than was permitted them, and that others also transgressed what was commanded them regarding the Sabbath day. But I paraphrase the passage this way: when they had applied themselves to gathering it, the total amount was found sufficient to fill an omer for every individual. For they did not each collect a private store; instead, when all had assisted, they finally took their prescribed portion from the common heap. Thus, the more diligent each person was, the more they benefited their slower and less industrious neighbor, without any loss to themselves.

This is aptly applied by Paul to almsgiving (2 Corinthians 8:14), in which everyone gives from what they possess to their poor brothers; let us only remember that this is done¹⁸² figuratively; for though there is some likeness between the manna and our daily food, yet there is a distinction between them to be observed, which we will remark on elsewhere.

Since, then, the manna was a food different from what we commonly use, and was given daily without tillage or labor, almost into their hands, it is no wonder that God called each one of the people to partake of it equally, and forbade anyone to take more than another.

The case of ordinary food is different. For it is necessary¹⁸³ for the preservation of human society that each person should possess what belongs to them; that some should acquire property by purchase, that for others it should come by hereditary right, and for others by gift; and that each person should increase their means in proportion to their diligence, physical strength, or other qualifications. In short, political government requires that each person should enjoy what belongs to them; therefore, it would be absurd to prescribe for our common food the law that is laid down here for the manna.

Paul also wisely makes the distinction, commanding that there should be an equality—not arising from an indiscriminate and confused use of property, but by the rich spontaneously and liberally relieving the needs of their brothers, and not grudgingly or out of necessity.

In this way he reminds us that whatever goods we possess flow from the bounty of God, like the manna; but since each person now possesses privately and separately whatever is given to them, the same law is not in force for the mutual sharing of property by which God bound His ancient people.

Therefore, it appears that the distribution of the manna, as it is related by Moses, is properly applied to almsgiving. This doctrine, too, extends still further; for Paul warns believers not to be overly anxious that they might exhaust themselves by their generosity, because no one’s provision failed when the Israelites, by God’s command, divided the manna among them.

¹⁸² Per anagogen. — Lat..

¹⁸³ “Pour nourrir les hommes en amitie et paix;” for sustaining men in friendship and peace. — Fr..