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
Jeremiah 2:6
"Neither said they, Where is the Lord that brought us up out of the land of Egypt, that led us through the wilderness, through a land of deserts and of pits, through a land of drought, and of the shadow of death, through a land that no man passed through, and where no man dwelt?"
"As they advanced, the way became more difficult. Their route lay through stony ravine and barren waste. All around them was the great wilderness—“a land of deserts and of pits,” “a land of drought, and of the shadow of death,” “a land that no man passed through, and where no man dwelt.” Jeremiah 2:6 . The rocky gorges, far and near, were thronged with men, women, and children, with beasts and wagons, and long lines of flocks and herds. Their progress was necessarily slow and toilsome; and the multitudes, after their long encampment, were not prepared to endure the perils and discomforts of the way. PP 377.2"
Ellen White directly references Jeremiah 2:6 in this passage.
Jeremiah 2:13
"For my people have committed two evils; they have forsaken me the fountain of living waters, and hewed them out cisterns, broken cisterns, that can hold no water."
"In the presence of such a Teacher, of such opportunity for divine education, what worse than folly is it to seek an education apart from Him—to seek to be wise apart from Wisdom; to be true while rejecting Truth; to seek illumination apart from the Light, and existence without the Life; to turn from the Fountain of living waters, and hew out broken cisterns, that can hold no water. Ed 83.5"
EGW directly quotes and expands upon the imagery of Jeremiah 2:13, making the connection undeniable.
"That God who knows their spiritual condition declares: They have cherished evil and separated from Me. They have gone astray, every one of them. Not one is guiltless. They have forsaken Me, the Fountain of living waters, and have hewed out to them broken cisterns that can hold no water. Many have corrupted their ways before Me. Envy, hatred of one another, jealousy, evil surmising, emulation, strife, bitterness, is the fruit that they bear. And they will not heed the testimony that I send them. They will not see their perverse ways and be converted, that I should heal them. 5T 63.2"
The EGW passage directly quotes and expands upon Jeremiah 2:13, making the connection undeniable.
"The same beautiful and expressive figures are carried throughout the Bible. Centuries before the advent of Christ, Moses pointed to Him as the rock of Israel's salvation ( Deuteronomy 32:15 ); the psalmist sang of Him as “my Redeemer,” “the rock of my strength,” “the rock that is higher than I,” “a rock of habitation,” “rock of my heart,” “rock of my refuge.” In David's song His grace is pictured also as the cool, “still waters,” amid green pastures, beside which the heavenly Shepherd leads His flock. Again, “Thou shalt make them,” he says, “drink of the river of Thy pleasures. For with Thee is the fountain of life.” Psalm 19:14 ; 62:7 ; Psalm 61:2 ; 71:3 (margin); 73:26 (margin); 94:22 ; 23:2 ; 36:8, 9 . And the wise man declares, “The wellspring of wisdom [is] as a flowing brook.” Proverbs 18:4 . To Jeremiah, Christ is “the fountain of living waters;” to Zechariah, “a fountain opened ... for sin and for uncleanness.” Jeremiah 2:13 ; Zechariah 13:1 . PP 413.1"
Ellen White directly references Jeremiah 2:13 in this passage.
"It is by beholding that we become changed. And as those sacred precepts in which God has opened to men the perfection and holiness of His character are neglected, and the minds of the people are attracted to human teachings and theories, what marvel that there has followed a decline of living piety in the church. Saith the Lord: “They have forsaken Me the fountain of living waters, and hewed them out cisterns, broken cisterns, that can hold no water.” Jeremiah 2:13 . GC 478.2"
Ellen White directly references Jeremiah 2:13 in this passage.
"In his later years, turning wearied and thirsting from earth's broken cisterns, Solomon returned to drink at the fountain of life. The history of his wasted years, with their lessons of warning, he by the Spirit of inspiration recorded for after generations. And thus, although the seed of his sowing was reaped by his people in harvests of evil, the lifework of Solomon was not wholly lost. For him at last the discipline of suffering accomplished its work. Ed 153.4"
EGW directly alludes to the imagery of broken cisterns from Jeremiah 2:13, connecting Solomon's experience with the prophetic warning against forsaking God as the source of life.
"What are the works on which, throughout the most susceptible years of life, the minds of the youth are led to dwell? In the study of language and literature, from what fountains are the youth taught to drink?—From the wells of paganism; from springs fed by the corruptions of ancient heathendom. They are bidden to study authors, of whom, without dispute, it is declared that they have no regard for the principles of morality. Ed 226.3 And of how many modern authors also might the same be said! With how many are grace and beauty of language but a disguise for principles that in their real deformity would repel the reader! Ed 227.1"
Both passages contrast a true, life-giving source (God/living waters) with a corrupted, inadequate source (paganism/broken cisterns). The EGW passage directly uses the metaphor of drinking from fountains, echoing Jeremiah's imagery.
"God has placed in our hands a banner upon which is inscribed: “Here is the patience of the saints: here are they that keep the commandments of God, and the faith of Jesus.” Revelation 14:12 . This is a distinct, separating message, a message that is to give no uncertain sound. It is to lead the people away from the broken cisterns that contain no water, to the unfailing Fountain of the water of life. 7T 150.2"
EGW uses the imagery of 'broken cisterns that contain no water' and contrasts it with the 'unfailing Fountain of the water of life,' which is a clear echo of Jeremiah 2:13.
"Debating ministers are the most unreliable among us, because they cannot be depended upon when the work goes hard. Bring them into a place where there is but little interest, and they manifest a want of courage, zeal, and real interest. They depend as much upon being enlivened and invigorated by the excitement created by debate or opposition as does the inebriate upon his dram. These ministers need to be converted anew. They need to drink deep of the unceasing streams which proceed from the eternal Rock. 3T 217.2"
The EGW passage describes 'debating ministers' who depend on excitement rather than God, paralleling Jeremiah 2:13's condemnation of forsaking the 'fountain of living waters' for broken cisterns. Both passages highlight the danger of relying on temporary, external sources instead of God.
"By his own bitter experience, Solomon learned the emptiness of a life that seeks in earthly things its highest good. He erected altars to heathen gods, only to learn how vain is their promise of rest to the soul. Ed 153.3"
Both passages address the futility of seeking fulfillment in worldly things. Solomon's experience with heathen gods, as described by EGW, mirrors the idea in Jeremiah 2:13 of forsaking the 'fountain of living waters' (God) for broken cisterns (idols/earthly pleasures) that cannot satisfy.
"We have an abundance of that which is real, that which is divine. Those who thirst for knowledge need not go to polluted fountains. The Lord says: MH 447.3"
Both passages contrast true, divine sources of knowledge and fulfillment with polluted or inadequate alternatives. Jeremiah 2:13 speaks of forsaking the 'fountain of living waters' for broken cisterns, while the EGW passage encourages seeking 'real' and 'divine' knowledge instead of 'polluted fountains.'
"As the Romish clergy saw their congregations diminishing, they invoked the aid of the magistrates, and by every means in their power endeavored to bring back their hearers. But the people had found in the new teachings that which supplied the wants of their souls, and they turned away from those who had so long fed them with the worthless husks of superstitious rites and human traditions. GC 196.1"
Both passages describe people turning away from established religious practices that are seen as inadequate. Jeremiah 2:13 speaks of forsaking the 'fountain of living waters' for broken cisterns, while the EGW passage speaks of people turning away from 'worthless husks of superstitious rites and human traditions.'
"Having separated from God, their only dependence being the power of humanity, their strength was but weakness. Even the standard set up by themselves they were incapable of reaching. The want of true excellence was supplied by appearance and profession. Semblance took the place of reality. Ed 74.2"
Both passages describe the consequences of turning away from God and relying on human efforts, resulting in weakness and a lack of true fulfillment. Jeremiah 2:13 provides a strong parallel to the idea of forsaking the true source of life and relying on inadequate substitutes.
"Brother Hull, I have been shown that if you would dedicate yourself to God, hold communion with Him, meditate much, watch your failings, mourn and lament before the Lord in the deepest humility on account of them, relying upon Him for strength, you would be in the most profitable business in which you were ever engaged; for you would be drinking at a living fountain, and could then give others to drink from that same fountain which revived and strengthened you. 1T 434.2"
Both passages use the metaphor of a 'fountain of living waters' to represent God and the spiritual nourishment He provides. The EGW passage encourages Brother Hull to drink from this fountain, while Jeremiah 2:13 laments that the people have forsaken it.
"Sanitarium, California, July 6, 1902 ***** Our people are now being tested as to whether they will obtain their wisdom from the greatest Teacher the world ever knew, or seek to the god of Ekron. Let us determine that we will not be tied by so much as a thread to the educational policies of those who do not discern the voice of God and who will not hearken to His commandments. CT 255.3"
The EGW passage warns against seeking wisdom from sources that do not align with God's will, referencing the 'god of Ekron.' This is thematically similar to Jeremiah 2:13, which describes the people forsaking God, the 'fountain of living waters,' and instead relying on broken cisterns. Both passages highlight the danger of turning away from God to unreliable sources of guidance. The 'god of Ekron' is a specific example of a 'broken cistern'.
Jeremiah 2:21
"Yet I had planted thee a noble vine, wholly a right seed: how then art thou turned into the degenerate plant of a strange vine unto me?"
But ancient Israel did not fulfill God's purpose. The Lord declared, “I had planted thee a noble vine, wholly a right seed: how then art thou turned into the degenerate plant of a strange vine unto Me?” “Israel is an empty vine, he bringeth forth fruit unto himself.” “And now, O inhabitants of Jerusalem, and men of Judah, judge, I pray you, betwixt Me and My vineyard. What could have been done more to My vineyard, that I have not done in it? Wherefore, when I looked that it should bring forth grapes, brought it forth wild grapes? And now go to; I will tell you what I will do to My vineyard: I will take away the hedge thereof, and it shall be eaten up; and break down the wall thereof, and it shall be trodden down: and I will lay it waste: it shall not be pruned, nor digged; but there shall come up briers and thorns: I will also command the clouds that they rain no rain upon it. For ... He looked for judgment, but behold oppression; for righteousness, but behold a cry.” Jeremiah 2:21 ; H…
Ellen White directly references Jeremiah 2:21 in this passage.
"The Lord planted His church as a vine in a fruitful field. With tenderest care He nourished and cherished it, that it might bring forth the fruits of righteousness. His language is: “What could have been done more to My vineyard, that I have not done in it?” But this vine of God's planting has inclined to the earth and entwined its tendrils about human supports. Its branches are extended far and wide, but it bears the fruit of a degenerate vine. The Master of the vineyard declares: “When I looked that it should bring forth grapes, brought it forth wild grapes?” 5T 240.2"
EGW's description of the church as a vine planted by God that has become degenerate closely parallels the imagery and theme of Jeremiah 2:21.
Like ancient Israel the church has dishonored her God by departing from the light, neglecting her duties, and abusing her high and exalted privilege of being peculiar and holy in character. Her members have violated their covenant to live for God and Him only. They have joined with the selfish and world-loving. Pride, the love of pleasure, and sin have been cherished, and Christ has departed. His Spirit has been quenched in the church. Satan works side by side with professed Christians; yet they are so destitute of spiritual discernment that they do not detect him. They have not the burden of the work. The solemn truths they profess to believe are not a reality to them. They have not genuine faith. Men and women will act out all the faith which they in reality possess. By their fruits ye shall know them. Not their profession, but the fruit they bear, shows the character of the tree. Many have a form of godliness, their names are upon the church records; but they have a spotted record i…
Both passages discuss the people of God turning away from their intended purpose and becoming degenerate. The imagery of the vine is not directly used by EGW, but the concept of Israel's apostasy is present.