EGW → Biblical Foundation
Select an Ellen White book from the sidebar to see each passage mapped to the Bible verses it amplifies, cites, or echoes.
Scripture Index
Ellen White & Bible Cross-Reference
Ecclesiastes 12:1
"Remember now thy Creator in the days of thy youth, while the evil days come not, nor the years draw nigh, when thou shalt say, I have no pleasure in them;"
which appear cunning in small children, but which they will have to unlearn, and for which they must be corrected, when they are older. The habits first formed are not easily forgotten. Parents, you should commence to discipline the minds of your children while very young, to the end that they may be Christians. Let all your efforts be for their salvation. Act as though they were placed in your care to be fitted as precious jewels to shine in the kingdom of God. Beware how you lull them to sleep over the pit of destruction with the mistaken thought that they are not old enough to be accountable, not old enough to repent of their sins and profess Christ. 1T 396.1 I was referred to the many precious promises on record for those who seek their Saviour early. Ecclesiastes 12:1 : “Remember now thy Creator in the days of thy youth, while the evil days come not, nor the years draw nigh, when thou shalt say, I have no pleasure in them.” Proverbs 8:17 : “I love them that love Me; and those that…
Ellen White directly references Ecclesiastes 12:1 in this passage.
"In order that the work may go forward in all its branches, God calls for youthful vigor, zeal, and courage. He has chosen the youth to aid in the advancement of His cause. To plan with clear mind and execute with courageous hand demands fresh, uncrippled energies. Young men and women are invited to give God the strength of their youth, that through the exercise of their powers, through keen thought and vigorous action, they may bring glory to Him and salvation to their fellow men. CT 535.2"
Both passages encourage young people to dedicate their youth to God, before the difficulties of old age arrive. EGW expands on the idea of using youthful vigor for God's work, echoing the sentiment of Ecclesiastes.
Eternal things have little weight with the youth. Angels of God are in tears as they write in the roll the words and acts of professed Christians. Angels are hovering around yonder dwelling. The young are there assembled; there is the sound of vocal and instrumental music. Christians are gathered there, but what is that you hear? It is a song, a frivolous ditty, fit for the dance hall. Behold the pure angels gather their light closer around them, and darkness envelops those in that dwelling. The angels are moving from the scene. Sadness is upon their countenances. Behold, they are weeping. This I saw repeated a number of times all through the ranks of Sabbathkeepers, and especially in —— . Music has occupied the hours which should have been devoted to prayer. Music is the idol which many professed Sabbathkeeping Christians worship. Satan has no objection to music if he can make that a channel through which to gain access to the minds of the youth. Anything will suit his purpose that wi…
Both passages address the importance of focusing on spiritual matters during youth. EGW's statement about 'eternal things have little weight with the youth' echoes the call to 'Remember now thy Creator in the days of thy youth' in Ecclesiastes 12:1.
"***** Young men should remember that they are accountable for all the privileges they have enjoyed, for the improvement of their time, and for the right use of their abilities. They may inquire, Shall we have no amusement or recreation? Shall we work, work, work, without variation? CT 337.2"
Both passages address the importance of remembering God during youth. EGW speaks about accountability for time and abilities, while Ecclesiastes 12:1 urges remembering the Creator before old age. The connection lies in the emphasis on youth and spiritual responsibility.
Ecclesiastes 12:1-7
"Remember now thy Creator in the days of thy youth, while the evil days come not, nor the years draw nigh, when thou shalt say, I have no pleasure in them; While the sun, or the light, or the moon, or the stars, be not darkened, nor the clouds return after the rain: In the day when the keepers of the house shall tremble, and the strong men shall bow themselves, and the grinders cease because they are few, and those that look out of the windows be darkened, And the doors shall be shut in the streets, when the sound of the grinding is low, and he shall rise up at the voice of the bird, and all the daughters of musick shall be brought low; Also when they shall be afraid of that which is high, and fears shall be in the way, and the almond tree shall flourish, and the grasshopper shall be a burden, and desire shall fail: because man goeth to his long home, and the mourners go about the streets: Or ever the silver cord be loosed, or the golden bowl be broken, or the pitcher be broken at the fountain, or the wheel broken at the cistern. Then shall the dust return to the earth as it was: and the spirit shall return unto God who gave it."
"“Then shall the dust return to the earth As it was: And the spirit shall return unto God Who gave it.” Ecclesiastes 12:1-7 . PK 82.1"
Ellen White directly references Ecclesiastes 12:1-7 in this passage.
Ecclesiastes 12:3
"In the day when the keepers of the house shall tremble, and the strong men shall bow themselves, and the grinders cease because they are few, and those that look out of the windows be darkened,"
"“In the day when the keepers of the house shall tremble, And the strong men shall bow themselves, And the grinders cease because they are few, And those that look out of the windows be darkened, And the doors shall be shut in the streets, PK 81.3"
EGW directly quotes Ecclesiastes 12:3.
Ecclesiastes 12:4
"And the doors shall be shut in the streets, when the sound of the grinding is low, and he shall rise up at the voice of the bird, and all the daughters of musick shall be brought low;"
"“When the sound of the grinding is low, And he shall rise up at the voice of the bird, And all the daughters of music shall be brought low; PK 81.4"
EGW directly quotes Ecclesiastes 12:4.
Ecclesiastes 12:5
"Also when they shall be afraid of that which is high, and fears shall be in the way, and the almond tree shall flourish, and the grasshopper shall be a burden, and desire shall fail: because man goeth to his long home, and the mourners go about the streets:"
"“Also when they shall be afraid of that which is high, And fears shall be in the way, PK 81.5"
EGW directly quotes Ecclesiastes 12:5.
"“And the almond tree shall flourish, And the grasshopper shall be a burden, And desire shall fail: PK 81.6"
EGW directly quotes Ecclesiastes 12:5.
"“Because man goeth to his long home, And the mourners go about the streets: PK 81.7"
EGW directly quotes Ecclesiastes 12:5.
Ecclesiastes 12:6
"Or ever the silver cord be loosed, or the golden bowl be broken, or the pitcher be broken at the fountain, or the wheel broken at the cistern."
"“Or ever the silver cord be loosed, Or the golden bowl be broken, Or the pitcher be broken at the fountain, Or the wheel broken at the cistern. PK 81.8"
EGW directly quotes Ecclesiastes 12:6.
Ecclesiastes 12:7
"Then shall the dust return to the earth as it was: and the spirit shall return unto God who gave it."
"“Then shall the dust return to the earth As it was: And the spirit shall return unto God Who gave it.” Ecclesiastes 12:1-7 . PK 82.1"
EGW directly quotes Ecclesiastes 12:7.
"The next morning he seemed slightly to revive, but about noon he had a chill, which left him unconscious. At 5 p. m., Sabbath, August 6, 1881, he quietly breathed his life away, without a struggle or a groan. 1T 110.1"
The Ecclesiastes verse speaks of the spirit returning to God at death, while the EGW passage describes the physical death of her husband. There's a clear thematic connection regarding death and the separation of the body and spirit.
Ecclesiastes 12:9-12
"And moreover, because the preacher was wise, he still taught the people knowledge; yea, he gave good heed, and sought out, and set in order many proverbs. The preacher sought to find out acceptable words: and that which was written was upright, even words of truth. The words of the wise are as goads, and as nails fastened by the masters of assemblies, which are given from one shepherd. And further, by these, my son, be admonished: of making many books there is no end; and much study is a weariness of the flesh."
"By the spirit of inspiration the king recorded for after generations the history of his wasted years with their lessons of warning. And thus, although the seed of his sowing was reaped by his people in harvests of evil, his life-work was not wholly lost. With meekness and lowliness Solomon in his later years “taught the people knowledge; yea, he gave good heed, and sought out, and set in order many proverbs.” He “sought to find out acceptable words: and that which was written was upright, even words of truth.” “The words of the wise are as goads, and as nails fastened by the masters of assemblies, which are given from one shepherd. And further, by these, my son, be admonished.” Ecclesiastes 12:9-12 . PK 79.1"
Ellen White directly references Ecclesiastes 12:9-12 in this passage.
Ecclesiastes 12:12
"And further, by these, my son, be admonished: of making many books there is no end; and much study is a weariness of the flesh."
One of the chief causes of mental inefficiency and moral weakness is the lack of concentration for worthy ends. We pride ourselves on the wide distribution of literature; but the multiplication of books, even books that in themselves are not harmful, may be a positive evil. With the immense tide of printed matter constantly pouring from the press, old and young form the habit of reading hastily and superficially, and the mind loses its power of connected and vigorous thought. Furthermore, a large share of the periodicals and books that, like the frogs of Egypt, are overspreading the land, are not merely commonplace, idle, and enervating, but unclean and degrading. Their effect is not merely to intoxicate and ruin the mind, but to corrupt and destroy the soul. The mind, the heart, that is indolent, aimless, falls an easy prey to evil. It is on diseased, lifeless organisms that fungus roots. It is the idle mind that is Satan's workshop. Let the mind be directed to high and holy ideals, l…
Both passages discuss the potential negative effects of excessive reading/books. Ecclesiastes warns of weariness, while EGW warns of superficiality and moral corruption.
"***** Concentration —Some have cultivated the habit of too great concentrativeness. The power to fix the mind upon one subject to the exclusion of all others, is good to a limited degree, but those who put the whole strength of the mind into one line of thought are frequently deficient on other points. In conversation these become tedious, and weary the listener. Their writings lack a free, easy style. When they speak in public, the subject before them holds their attention, and they are led on and on, to go deeper and deeper into the matter. They seem to see knowledge and light as they become interested and absorbed, but there are few who can follow them. GW 169.1"
Both passages touch on the potential downsides of excessive focus or study. EGW warns against being overly concentrated, while Ecclesiastes 12:12 suggests that too much study can be wearying.
Ecclesiastes 12:13
"Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God, and keep his commandments: for this is the whole duty of man."
"In the Bible the whole duty of man is defined. Solomon says, “Fear God, and keep his commandments: for this is the whole duty of man.” [ Ecclesiastes 12:13 .] The will of God is revealed in his written word, and this is the essential knowledge. Human wisdom, familiarity with the languages of different nations, is a help in the missionary work. An understanding of the customs of the people, of the location and time of events, is practical knowledge; for it aids in making the figures of the Bible clear, in bringing out the force of Christ's lessons; but it is not positively necessary to know these things. The way-faring man may find the pathway cast up for the ransomed to walk in, and there will be no excuse found for any one who perishes through misapprehension of the Scriptures. CE 84.1"
EGW directly quotes Ecclesiastes 12:13 and explicitly connects it to the 'whole duty of man'.
"“Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter,” he wrote: “Fear God, and keep His commandments: for this is the whole duty of man. For God shall bring every work into judgment, with every secret thing, whether it be good, or whether it be evil.” Verses 13, 14 . PK 80.1"
EGW directly quotes Ecclesiastes 12:13.
"By the first angel, men are called upon to “fear God, and give glory to Him” and to worship Him as the Creator of the heavens and the earth. In order to do this, they must obey His law. Says the wise man: “Fear God, and keep His commandments: for this is the whole duty of man.” Ecclesiastes 12:13 . Without obedience to His commandments no worship can be pleasing to God. “This is the love of God, that we keep His commandments.” “He that turneth away his ear from hearing the law, even his prayer shall be abomination.” 1 John 5:3 ; Proverbs 28:9 . GC 436.1"
Ellen White directly references Ecclesiastes 12:13 in this passage.
"I thought: “Oh, that those who are thus investing their means could see their course as God sees it! They are piling up magnificent buildings, but how foolish in the sight of the Ruler of the universe is their planning and devising. They are not studying with all the powers of heart and mind how they may glorify God. They have lost sight of this, the first duty of man.” 9T 12.2"
EGW directly connects the idea of glorifying God with the 'first duty of man,' which aligns with the conclusion of Ecclesiastes 12:13 about fearing God and keeping His commandments.
"In the precepts of His holy law, God has given a perfect rule of life; and He has declared that until the close of time this law, unchanged in a single jot or tittle, is to maintain its claim upon human beings. Christ came to magnify the law and make it honorable. He showed that it is based upon the broad foundation of love to God and love to man, and that obedience to its precepts comprises the whole duty of man. In His own life He gave an example of obedience to the law of God. In the Sermon on the Mount He showed how its requirements extend beyond the outward acts and take cognizance of the thoughts and intents of the heart. AA 505.1"
Both passages discuss the duty of man in relation to God's commandments. While not a direct quote, the thematic overlap is significant.
Ecclesiastes 12:14
"For God shall bring every work into judgment, with every secret thing, whether it be good, or whether it be evil."
"“Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter,” he wrote: “Fear God, and keep His commandments: for this is the whole duty of man. For God shall bring every work into judgment, with every secret thing, whether it be good, or whether it be evil.” Verses 13, 14 . PK 80.1"
EGW directly quotes Ecclesiastes 12:14.
"He answered, “Every plant, which My heavenly Father hath not planted, shall be rooted up.” The customs and traditions so highly valued by the rabbis were of this world, not from heaven. However great their authority with the people, they could not endure the testing of God. Every human invention that has been substituted for the commandments of God will be found worthless in that day when “God shall bring every work into judgment, with every secret thing, whether it be good, or whether it be evil.” Ecclesiastes 12:14 . DA 398.2"
Ellen White directly references Ecclesiastes 12:14 in this passage.
"There is a record also of the sins of men. “For God shall bring every work into judgment, with every secret thing, whether it be good, or whether it be evil.” “Every idle word that men shall speak, they shall give account thereof in the day of judgment.” Says the Saviour: “By thy words thou shalt be justified, and by thy words thou shalt be condemned.” Ecclesiastes 12:14 ; Matthew 12:36, 37 . The secret purposes and motives appear in the unerring register; for God “will bring to light the hidden things of darkness, and will make manifest the counsels of the hearts.” 1 Corinthians 4:5 . “Behold, it is written before Me, ... your iniquities, and the iniquities of your fathers together, saith the Lord.” Isaiah 65:6, 7 . GC 481.2"
Ellen White directly references Ecclesiastes 12:14 in this passage.