The concept of "lacked" in the Bible often pertains to the absence or deficiency of something necessary or desired, whether it be material, spiritual, or moral. This theme is woven throughout Scripture, highlighting human dependency on God and the sufficiency found in Him.

Old Testament References

In the Old Testament, the notion of lacking is frequently associated with physical needs and God's provision. For instance, in Deuteronomy 2:7, the Israelites are reminded of God's faithfulness during their wilderness journey: "For the LORD your God has blessed you in all the work of your hands. He has watched over your journey through this vast wilderness. These forty years the LORD your God has been with you, and you have lacked nothing." Here, the absence of lack underscores God's providential care and the fulfillment of His promises.

Similarly, Psalm 23:1 declares, "The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want." This verse conveys the idea that with the Lord as a shepherd, there is no lack, as He provides for all needs. The imagery of God as a shepherd is a powerful testament to His guidance and provision.

New Testament References

In the New Testament, the theme of lacking often shifts to spiritual dimensions. James 1:4 encourages believers to let perseverance finish its work so that they may be "mature and complete, lacking nothing." This passage emphasizes spiritual growth and maturity, suggesting that through trials and perseverance, believers can reach a state of spiritual completeness.

The account of the rich young ruler in Mark 10:21 also touches on the concept of lack. Jesus tells him, "One thing you lack. Go, sell everything you own and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow Me." Here, the lack is not material but spiritual, pointing to the young man's need to prioritize eternal treasures over earthly possessions.

Theological Implications

Theologically, the concept of lacking in the Bible often serves to highlight human insufficiency apart from God. It underscores the belief that true fulfillment and sufficiency are found in a relationship with God through Jesus Christ. Philippians 4:19 reassures believers, "And my God will supply all your needs according to His glorious riches in Christ Jesus." This promise reflects the Christian conviction that God is the ultimate provider, meeting both physical and spiritual needs.

Practical Applications

For believers, understanding the biblical perspective on lacking encourages reliance on God's provision and fosters contentment. It challenges Christians to trust in God's timing and sufficiency, even in times of apparent need or deficiency. The call to seek first the kingdom of God, as stated in Matthew 6:33, serves as a reminder that prioritizing spiritual pursuits leads to the fulfillment of all other needs.

In summary, the biblical theme of lacking is a multifaceted concept that encompasses physical, spiritual, and moral dimensions. It serves as a reminder of human dependency on God and the completeness found in Him. Through Scripture, believers are encouraged to trust in God's provision and to seek spiritual maturity, knowing that in Him, they truly lack nothing.(imp. & p. p.) of Lack.170. akaireomai -- to have no opportunity
... Word Origin from akairos (unseasonable) Definition to have no opportunity
NASB Word Usage lacked opportunity (1). lack opportunity. ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/170.htm - 6k

4892. sunedrion -- a sitting together, hence a council, spec. the ...
... Mt 5:21,22). [The Great Sanhedrin met in and basically lacked jurisdiction
in Galilee and Samaria (Dr. Maclean, Hasting's ). synagogues ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/4892.htm - 8k

4147. plouteo -- to be rich
... yields)! The Laodiceans were too highly motivated (conscientious) about
matters, and lacked real commitment for wise prioritizing. ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/4147.htm - 7k

5302. hustereo -- to come late, be behind, come short
... NASB Word Usage am...lacking (1), come short (1), comes short (1), destitute (1),
fall short (1), impoverished (1), inferior (2), lack (2), lacked (1), lacking ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/5302.htm - 8k

2638. chaser -- needy, lacking, in want of
... Word Origin from chaser Definition needy, lacking, in want of NASB Word Usage
lack (2), lacked (1), lacking (4), lacks (6), who lacks (4). ...
/hebrew/2638.htm - 6k

2637. chaser -- to lack, need, be lacking, decrease
... to lack, need, be lacking, decrease NASB Word Usage become empty (1), decreased
(2), depriving (1), empty (1), have...lack (1), lack (2), lacked (2), lacking (4 ...
/hebrew/2637.htm - 6k

1 Cor. xii. 21
... neither is he content with this, but adds also the cause, saying, "But God tempered
the body together, giving more abundant honor unto that part which lacked:". ...
/.../homilies on the epistles of paul to the corinthians/homily xxxi 1 cor xii.htm

Moravians and Methodists, 1735-1742.
... John Wesley was deeply stirred. For all his piety he still lacked something which
these Brethren possessed. He lacked their triumphant confidence in God. ...
/.../hutton/history of the moravian church/chapter ix moravians and methodists.htm

Sennacherib (705-681 BC )
... Sennacherib either failed to inherit his father's good fortune, or lacked his ability.*
He was not deficient in military genius, nor in the energy necessary to ...
/.../chapter isennacherib 705-681 b c.htm

The Preacher as a Christian.
... Gifted as he was, even he did not possess all gifts. He lacked one or two of those
which might have been thought most essential to his success. ...
/.../stalker/the preacher and his models/lecture vii the preacher as.htm

The Roman Pilgrimage: the Miracles which were Wrought in It.
... the authority of the Apostolic See; and for that reason he determined to set out
for Rome, and most of all because the metropolitan see still lacked, and from ...
/.../chapter v the roman pilgrimage .htm

Matt. xxvi. 51-54.
... For Luke affirms this too, that He said unto them, "When I sent you without purse,
and scrip, and shoes, lacked ye anything?" And when they said, "Nothing," He ...
/.../homilies on the gospel of saint matthew/homily lxxxiv matt xxvi 51-54.htm

Job's Question, Jesus' Answer
... They have always had the thought, sometimes as a fear, sometimes as a hope, but
never as a certainty. It has lacked not only certainty but distinctness. ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture g/jobs question jesus answer.htm

Philippians iv. 14-Oct
... "But I rejoice in the Lord greatly, that now at length ye have revived your thought
for me; wherein ye did indeed take thought, but ye lacked opportunity. ...
/.../homily xv philippians iv 14-oct.htm

The Last Incidents in Per??a - the Young Ruler who Went Away ...
... he would enter the Kingdom of Heaven. Jesus saw what he lacked; and what
He saw, He showed him. For, looking at him' in his sincerity ...
/.../the life and times of jesus the messiah/chapter xxiii the last incidents.htm

The Sin of Omission.
... go and sell that thou hast, and give to the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in
heaven: and come and follow me." This direction showed him what he lacked. ...
/.../christianbookshelf.org/shedd/sermons to the natural man/the sin of omission.htm

Lacked (18 Occurrences)
...Lacked (18 Occurrences). Luke 8:6 And some fell upon a rock; and as soon as it was
sprung up, it withered away, because it lacked moisture. (KJV WBS). ...
/l/lacked.htm - 12k

Lack (86 Occurrences)
... hustereo, literally, "to be behind," and endees, "in want." In Luke 8:6, the Revised
Version (British and American) reads "had no" instead of "lacked" in the ...
/l/lack.htm - 33k

Images (158 Occurrences)
... possess images. They lacked temples and altars and ephods and idols, as they
lacked the fire-stick and potter's wheel. Religion, which ...
/i/images.htm - 70k

Victual (6 Occurrences)
... 1 Kings 4:27 And those officers provided victual for king Solomon, and for all that
came unto king Solomon's table, every man in his month: they lacked nothing ...
/v/victual.htm - 8k

Venturing (2 Occurrences)
... Philippians 2:30 because for the sake of the work he drew near even to death, venturing
his life that he might fill up what lacked in your ministration toward ...
/v/venturing.htm - 7k

Nothing (769 Occurrences)
... to nothing" (Job 6:18), "up into the waste"; for "it is nothing with" (2 Chronicles
14:11), "there is none besides," margin "like"; for "lacked nothing" (1 ...
/n/nothing.htm - 40k

Nourished (29 Occurrences)
... Nehemiah 9:21 and forty years Thou hast nourished them in a wilderness; they have
not lacked; their garments have not worn out, and their feet have not swelled ...
/n/nourished.htm - 15k

Nineteen (3 Occurrences)
... 2 Samuel 2:30 Joab returned from following Abner: and when he had gathered all the
people together, there lacked of David's servants nineteen men and Asahel. ...
/n/nineteen.htm - 7k

Owned (18 Occurrences)
... Acts 4:34 For neither was there among them any who lacked, for as many as were owners
of lands or houses sold them, and brought the proceeds of the things that ...
/o/owned.htm - 11k

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