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 5:1
"Keep thy foot when thou goest to the house of God, and be more ready to hear, than to give the sacrifice of fools: for they consider not that they do evil."
"In the minds of many there are no more sacred thoughts connected with the house of God than with the most common place. Some will enter the place of worship with their hats on, in soiled, dirty clothes. Such do not realize that they are to meet with God and holy angels. There should be a radical change in this matter all through our churches. Ministers themselves need to elevate their ideas, to have finer susceptibilities in regard to it. It is a feature of the work that has been sadly neglected. Because of the irreverence in attitude, dress, and deportment, and lack of a worshipful frame of mind, God has often turned His face away from those assembled for His worship. 5T 498.3"
The EGW passage directly echoes the principle of reverence and proper conduct in the house of God, as expressed in Ecclesiastes 5:1. Both emphasize the importance of a respectful attitude and attentiveness to God's word when entering a place of worship.
Ecclesiastes 5:2
"Be not rash with thy mouth, and let not thine heart be hasty to utter any thing before God: for God is in heaven, and thou upon earth: therefore let thy words be few."
"The same deficiencies have marked his labor in the gospel field. In speaking to the people, he has many apologies to make and many preliminaries to repeat, and the congregation become wearied before he reaches his real subject. As far as possible, ministers should avoid apologies and preliminaries. 2T 670.2"
The EGW passage advises ministers to avoid unnecessary apologies and preliminaries, aligning with Ecclesiastes 5:2's call for measured and thoughtful speech before God. Both emphasize conciseness and avoiding rashness in communication.
Ecclesiastes 5:3
"For a dream cometh through the multitude of business; and a fool’s voice is known by multitude of words."
"***** Directness —Many speakers waste their time and strength in long preliminaries and excuses. Some use nearly half an hour in making apologies; thus time is wasted, and when they reach their subject and try to fasten the points of truth in the minds of their hearers, the people are wearied out and cannot see their force. GW 168.2"
Both passages address the issue of excessive words and their negative impact. While Ecclesiastes focuses on the fool's voice, EGW applies it to speakers who waste time with unnecessary preliminaries. The underlying principle of brevity and directness is shared.
"unimportant and would be taken for granted without producing proof, for they are self-evident. But the real, vital points should be made as forcible as language and proof can make them. They should stand forth as prominent as mileposts. He should avoid many words over little particulars, which will weary the hearer before the important points are reached. 2T 670.3"
Both passages address the issue of using too many words, though in different contexts (preaching vs. dreams). The underlying principle of avoiding excessive verbiage is present in both.
Ecclesiastes 5:6
"Suffer not thy mouth to cause thy flesh to sin; neither say thou before the angel, that it was an error: wherefore should God be angry at thy voice, and destroy the work of thine hands?"
“And Moses spake unto the heads of the tribes concerning the children of Israel, saying, This is the thing which the Lord hath commanded. If a man vow a vow unto the Lord, or swear an oath to bind his soul with a bond; he shall not break his word, he shall do according to all that proceedeth out of his mouth.” Numbers 30:1, 2 . “Suffer not thy mouth to cause thy flesh to sin; neither say thou before the angel, that it was an error: wherefore should God be angry at thy voice, and destroy the work of thine hands?” Ecclesiastes 5:6 . “I will go into Thy house with burnt offerings: I will pay Thee my vows, which my lips have uttered, and my mouth hath spoken, when I was in trouble.” Psalm 66:13, 14 . “It is a snare to the man who devoureth that which is holy, and after vows to make inquiry.” Proverbs 20:25 . “When thou shalt vow a vow unto the Lord thy God, thou shalt not slack to pay it: for the Lord thy God will surely require it of thee; and it would be sin in thee. But if thou shalt fo…
Ellen White directly references Ecclesiastes 5:6 in this passage.
Ecclesiastes 5:8
"If thou seest the oppression of the poor, and violent perverting of judgment and justice in a province, marvel not at the matter: for he that is higher than the highest regardeth; and there be higher than they."
"“If thou seest the oppression of the poor, and violent perverting of judgment and justice, ... marvel not at the matter: for He that is higher than the highest regardeth.” “There is no darkness, nor shadow of death, where the workers of iniquity may hide themselves.” Ecclesiastes 5:8 ; Job 34:22 . Ed 144.2"
EGW directly quotes Ecclesiastes 5:8.
"Thus it was that the temple of Jehovah came to be known throughout the nations as “Solomon's temple.” The human agent had taken to himself the glory that belonged to the One “higher than the highest.” Ecclesiastes 5:8 . Even to this day the temple of which Solomon declared, “This house which I have built is called by Thy name” ( 2 Chronicles 6:33 ), is oftenest spoken of, not as the temple of Jehovah, but as “Solomon's temple.” PK 68.2 Man cannot show greater weakness than by allowing men to ascribe to him the honor for gifts that are Heaven-bestowed. The true Christian will make God first and last and best in everything. No ambitious motives will chill his love for God; steadily, perseveringly, will he cause honor to redound to his heavenly Father. It is when we are faithful in exalting the name of God that our impulses are under divine supervision, and we are enabled to develop spiritual and intellectual power. PK 68.3"
Ellen White directly references Ecclesiastes 5:8 in this passage.
"In gratitude Solomon acknowledged the power and the loving-kindness of the One who is “higher than the highest” ( Ecclesiastes 5:8 ); in penitence he began to retrace his steps toward the exalted plane of purity and holiness from whence he had fallen so far. He could never hope to escape the blasting results of sin, he could never free his mind from all remembrance of the self-indulgent course he had been pursuing, but he would endeavor earnestly to dissuade others from following after folly. He would humbly confess the error of his ways and lift his voice in warning lest others be lost irretrievably because of the influences for evil he had been setting in operation. PK 78.1"
Ellen White directly references Ecclesiastes 5:8 in this passage.
Ecclesiastes 5:9
"Moreover the profit of the earth is for all: the king himself is served by the field."
As a relaxation from study, occupations pursued in the open air, and affording exercise for the whole body, are the most beneficial. No line of manual training is of more value than agriculture. A greater effort should be made to create and to encourage an interest in agricultural pursuits. Let the teacher call attention to what the Bible says about agriculture: that it was God's plan for man to till the earth; that the first man, the ruler of the whole world, was given a garden to cultivate; and that many of the world's greatest men, its real nobility, have been tillers of the soil. Show the opportunities in such a life. The wise man says, “The king himself is served by the field.” Ecclesiastes 5:9 . Of him who cultivates the soil the Bible declares, “His God doth instruct him to discretion, and doth teach him.” Isaiah 28:26 . And again, “Whoso keepeth the fig tree shall eat the fruit thereof.” Proverbs 27:18 . He who earns his livelihood by agriculture escapes many temptations and en…
Ellen White directly references Ecclesiastes 5:9 in this passage.
Ecclesiastes 5:10
"He that loveth silver shall not be satisfied with silver; nor he that loveth abundance with increase: this is also vanity."
"Much is said concerning our duty to the neglected poor; should not some attention be given to the neglected rich? Many look upon this class as hopeless, and they do little to open the eyes of those, who, blinded and dazed by the glitter of earthly glory, have lost eternity out of their reckoning. Thousands of wealthy men have gone to their graves unwarned. But indifferent as they may appear, many among the rich are soul-burdened. “He that loveth silver shall not be satisfied with silver; nor he that loveth abundance with increase.” He that says to fine gold, “Thou art my confidence,” has “denied the God that is above.” “None of them can by any means redeem his brother, nor give to God a ransom for him: (For the redemption of their soul is precious, and it ceaseth forever).” Ecclesiastes 5:10 ; Job 31:24, 28 ; Psalm 49:7, 8 . MH 210.1"
Ellen White directly references Ecclesiastes 5:10 in this passage.