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 3:1
"To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven:"
"Chapter 23—Recreation “To everything there is a season.” There is a distinction between recreation and amusement. Recreation, when true to its name, re-creation, tends to strengthen and build up. Calling us aside from our ordinary cares and occupations, it affords refreshment for mind and body, and thus enables us to return with new vigor to the earnest work of life. Amusement, on the other hand, is sought for the sake of pleasure and is often carried to excess; it absorbs the energies that are required for useful work and thus proves a hindrance to life's true success. Ed 207"
EGW directly quotes Ecclesiastes 3:1 ('To everything there is a season.') and uses it as a springboard to discuss the appropriate time and nature of recreation.
"Often we miss the most precious blessings by neglecting to speak a word in season. If the golden opportunity is not watched for, it will be lost. At the bedside of the sick no word of creed or controversy should be spoken. Let the sufferer be pointed to the One who is willing to save all that come to Him in faith. Earnestly, tenderly strive to help the soul that is hovering between life and death. MH 120.1"
The EGW passage emphasizes the importance of speaking 'a word in season,' particularly at the bedside of the sick, and warns against missing opportunities. This directly reflects the principle in Ecclesiastes 3:1 that 'to every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven.' The connection is clear and directly applicable.
"Time is frequently lost in explaining points which are really unimportant, and which would be taken for granted without producing proof; for they are self-evident. But the real, vital points should be made as plain and forcible as language and proof can make them. The power to concentrate the mind upon one subject to the exclusion of all others is well in a degree; but the constant exercise of this faculty wears upon those organs that are called into use to do this work; it throws too great a tax upon them, and the result is a failure to accomplish the greatest amount of good. The principal wear comes upon one set of organs, while the others lie dormant. The mind cannot thus be healthfully exercised, and, in consequence, life is shortened. 3T 34.2"
This verse emphasizes that there is a time and a purpose for everything, suggesting that focusing too much on one thing to the exclusion of others is not balanced.
"How to Spend Holidays Recreation is needful to those who are engaged in physical labor, and is still more essential for those whose labor is principally mental. It is not essential to our salvation nor for the glory of God to keep the mind laboring constantly and exclusively, even upon religious themes. There are amusements, such as dancing, card playing, chess, checkers, etc., which we cannot approve, because Heaven condemns them. These amusements open the door for great evil. They are not beneficial in their tendency, but have an exciting influence, producing in some minds a passion for those plays which lead to gambling and dissipation. All such plays should be condemned by Christians, and something perfectly harmless should be substituted in their place. CT 346"
The EGW passage echoes the sentiment of Ecclesiastes 3:1 by acknowledging that there is a time for everything, including recreation. It uses this principle to argue that not all amusements are acceptable, and that Christians should choose harmless alternatives. The connection is not a direct quote, but a clear application of the principle.
"As a rule the labor of the day should not be prolonged into the evening. If all the hours of the day are well improved, the work extended into the evening is so much extra, and the overtaxed system will suffer from the burden imposed upon it. I have been shown that those who do this, often lose much more than they gain, for their energies are exhausted, and they labor on nervous excitement. They may not realize any immediate injury, but they are surely undermining their constitution. CE 167.1"
EGW's advice about not prolonging labor into the evening reflects the principle of having a proper time for everything, as stated in Ecclesiastes 3:1.
"“It is the very essence of all right faith,” she wrote, “to do the right thing at the right time. God is the great Master Worker, and by His providence He prepares the way for His work to be accomplished. He provides opportunities, opens up lines of influence and channels of working. If His people are watching the indications of His providence, and stand ready to cooperate with Him, they will see a great work accomplished. Their efforts, rightly directed, will produce a hundredfold greater results than can be accomplished with the same means and facilities in another channel where God is not so manifestly working.... LS 380.2"
Both passages discuss the importance of timing and acting in accordance with God's will and plan. Ecclesiastes speaks of appointed times for everything, while EGW emphasizes doing the right thing at the right time and cooperating with God's providence. The connection is thematic, but not a direct allusion.
"It is the very essence of all right faith to do the right thing at the right time. God is the great Master Worker, and by His providence He prepares the way for His work to be accomplished. He provides opportunities, opens up lines of influence and channels of working. If His people are watching the indications of His providence, and stand ready to co-operate with Him, they will see a great work accomplished. Their efforts, rightly directed, will produce a hundredfold greater results than can be accomplished with the same means and facilities in another channel where God is not so manifestly working. Our work is reformative, and it is God's purpose that the excellence of the work in all lines shall be an object lesson to the people. In new fields especially it is important that the work be so established as to give a correct representation of the truth. In all our plans for missionary operations these principles should be kept in mind. 6T 24.3"
Both passages emphasize the importance of timing and aligning with God's plan. EGW's statement about doing the right thing at the right time echoes the sentiment of Ecclesiastes 3:1, which speaks of a season and time for every purpose.
Brother A, you are too slow. You should cultivate opposite qualities. The cause of God demands men who can see quickly and act instantaneously at the right time and with power. If you wait to measure every difficulty and balance every perplexity you meet you will do but little. You will have obstacles and difficulties to encounter at every turn, and you must with firm purpose decide to conquer them, or they will conquer you. 3T 497.2 Sometimes various ways and purposes, different modes of operation in connection with the work of God, are about evenly balanced in the mind; but it is at this very point that the nicest discrimination is necessary. And if anything is accomplished to the purpose it must be done at the golden moment. The slightest inclination of the weight in the balance should be seen and should determine the matter at once. Long delays tire the angels. It is even more excusable to make a wrong decision sometimes than to be continually in a wavering position, to be hesitati…
The EGW passage speaks about acting at the right time and making decisions promptly, which loosely connects to the idea of 'a time to every purpose' in Ecclesiastes 3:1. The connection is somewhat general but present.
Ecclesiastes 3:4
"A time to weep, and a time to laugh; a time to mourn, and a time to dance;"
"So it is here with us on earth, and so I do remember it has ever been; The bitter and the sweet, the grief and joy, Lie near together, but a day between. MH 258.3"
Both passages deal with the juxtaposition of positive and negative experiences in life. The EGW quote directly mentions 'bitter and sweet, grief and joy' while Ecclesiastes speaks of 'a time to weep, and a time to laugh; a time to mourn, and a time to dance.' The connection is clear and meaningful.
"Chapter 87—Recreation for Christians I was shown that Sabbathkeepers as a people labor too hard without allowing themselves change or periods of rest. Recreation is needful to those who are engaged in physical labor and is still more essential for those whose labor is principally mental. It is not essential to our salvation, nor for the glory of God, to keep the mind laboring constantly and excessively, even upon religious themes. There are amusements, such as dancing, card playing, chess, checkers, etc., which we cannot approve, because Heaven condemns them. These amusements open the door for great evil. They are not beneficial in their tendency, but have an exciting influence, producing in some minds a passion for those plays which lead to gambling and dissipation. All such plays should be condemned by Christians, and something perfectly harmless should be substituted in their place. 1T 514"
Both passages address the concept of appropriate times for different activities. Ecclesiastes 3:4 speaks of a time for weeping and a time for laughing, and a time to mourn and a time to dance, while EGW discusses the need for recreation and rest, contrasting it with inappropriate amusements. The connection lies in the idea of balance and appropriateness.
Ecclesiastes 3:11
"He hath made every thing beautiful in his time: also he hath set the world in their heart, so that no man can find out the work that God maketh from the beginning to the end."
"“He hath made everything beautiful in its time” ( Ecclesiastes 3:11 , R.V.); and true beauty will be secured, not in marring God's work, but in coming into harmony with the laws of Him who created all things, and who finds pleasure in their beauty and perfection. Ed 198.1"
Ellen White directly references Ecclesiastes 3:11 in this passage.
"At the same time the young should be taught to recognize the lesson of nature, “He hath made everything beautiful in its time.” Ecclesiastes 3:11 , R.V. In dress, as in all things else, it is our privilege to honor our Creator. He desires our clothing to be not only neat and healthful, but appropriate and becoming. Ed 248.4"
Ellen White directly references Ecclesiastes 3:11 in this passage.
Ecclesiastes 3:14
"I know that, whatsoever God doeth, it shall be for ever: nothing can be put to it, nor any thing taken from it: and God doeth it, that men should fear before him."
"“Whatsoever God doeth, it shall be forever.” Ecclesiastes 3:14 . PP 754.6"
Ellen White directly references Ecclesiastes 3:14 in this passage.
"As a nation the children of Israel failed of receiving the benefits that God desired to give them. They did not appreciate His purpose or co-operate in its execution. But though individuals and peoples may thus separate themselves from Him, His purpose for those who trust Him is unchanged. “Whatsoever God doeth, it shall be forever.” Ecclesiastes 3:14 . Ed 50.2"
Ellen White directly references Ecclesiastes 3:14 in this passage.
In the beginning the Father and the Son had rested upon the Sabbath after Their work of creation. When “the heavens and the earth were finished, and all the host of them” ( Genesis 2:1 ), the Creator and all heavenly beings rejoiced in contemplation of the glorious scene. “The morning stars sang together, and all the sons of God shouted for joy.” Job 38:7 . Now Jesus rested from the work of redemption; and though there was grief among those who loved Him on earth, yet there was joy in heaven. Glorious to the eyes of heavenly beings was the promise of the future. A restored creation, a redeemed race, that having conquered sin could never fall,—this, the result to flow from Christ's completed work, God and angels saw. With this scene the day upon which Jesus rested is forever linked. For “His work is perfect;” and “whatsoever God doeth, it shall be forever.” Deuteronomy 32:4 ; Ecclesiastes 3:14 . When there shall be a “restitution of all things, which God hath spoken by the mouth of all …
Ellen White directly references Ecclesiastes 3:14 in this passage.