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
Proverbs 21:1
"The king’s heart is in the hand of the Lord, as the rivers of water: he turneth it whithersoever he will."
"The deliverance of Daniel from the den of lions had been used of God to create a favorable impression upon the mind of Cyrus the Great. The sterling qualities of the man of God as a statesman of farseeing ability led the Persian ruler to show him marked respect and to honor his judgment. And now, just at the time God had said He would cause His temple at Jerusalem to be rebuilt, He moved upon Cyrus as His agent to discern the prophecies concerning himself, with which Daniel was so familiar, and to grant the Jewish people their liberty. PK 557.1"
The EGW passage directly illustrates the principle stated in Proverbs 21:1, that God can influence the hearts of rulers to accomplish His purposes. The example of Cyrus is a clear demonstration of this principle.
Some, I saw, have a prejudice against our rulers and laws; but if it were not for law, this world would be in an awful condition. God restrains our rulers; for the hearts of all are in His hands. Bounds are set, beyond which they cannot go. Many of the rulers are those whom Satan controls; but I saw that God has His agents, even among the rulers. And some of them will yet be converted to the truth. They are now acting the part that God would have them. When Satan works through his agents, propositions are made, that, if carried out, would impede the work of God and produce great evil. The good angels move upon these agents of God to oppose such propositions with strong reasons, which Satan's agents cannot resist. A few of God's agents will have power to bear down a great mass of evil. Thus the work will go on until the third message has done its work, and at the loud cry of the third angel, these agents will have an opportunity to receive the truth, and some of them will be converted, …
The EGW statement that 'the hearts of all are in His hands' directly echoes the sentiment of Proverbs 21:1, which states 'The king’s heart is in the hand of the Lord.' This is a clear and direct parallel.
"While most of the members of the Diet would not have hesitated to yield up Luther to the vengeance of Rome, many of them saw and deplored the existing depravity in the church, and desired a suppression of the abuses suffered by the German people in consequence of the corruption and greed of the hierarchy. The legate had presented the papal rule in the most favorable light. Now the Lord moved upon a member of the Diet to give a true delineation of the effects of papal tyranny. With noble firmness, Duke George of Saxony stood up in that princely assembly and specified with terrible exactness the deceptions and abominations of popery, and their dire results. In closing he said: GC 149.2"
The EGW passage describes God influencing Duke George to speak out against the papacy, similar to Proverbs 21:1 describing God's control over a king's heart. The connection is valid and meaningful.
"Ezra's faith that God would do a mighty work for His people, led him to tell Artaxerxes of his desire to return to Jerusalem to revive an interest in the study of God's word and to assist his brethren in restoring the Holy City. As Ezra declared his perfect trust in the God of Israel as one abundantly able to protect and care for His people, the king was deeply impressed. He well understood that the Israelites were returning to Jerusalem that they might serve Jehovah; yet so great was the king's confidence in the integrity of Ezra that he showed him marked favor, granting his request and bestowing on him rich gifts for the temple service. He made him a special representative of the Medo-Persian kingdom and conferred on him extensive powers for the carrying out of the purposes that were in his heart. PK 609.4"
The EGW passage illustrates Proverbs 21:1 by showing how God influenced King Artaxerxes' heart to favor Ezra's request. The king's actions demonstrate the principle that God can direct the hearts of rulers.
"This was not what the Jews wanted. They had not forgotten their former defeat at Caesarea. In contrast with the calm bearing and forcible arguments of the apostle, their own malignant spirit and baseless accusations would appear in the worst possible light. Again they urged that Paul be brought to Jerusalem for trial, but Festus held firmly to his purpose of giving Paul a fair trial at Caesarea. God in His providence controlled the decision of Festus, that the life of the apostle might be lengthened. AA 429.1"
EGW interprets Festus's decision as divinely influenced, aligning with the general principle of Proverbs 21:1 that God can influence rulers' decisions. The connection is thematic rather than a direct quote or allusion.
"In the annals of human history, the growth of nations, the rise and fall of empires, appear as if dependent on the will and prowess of man; the shaping of events seems, to a great degree, to be determined by his power, ambition, or caprice. But in the word of God the curtain is drawn aside, and we behold, above, behind, and through all the play and counterplay of human interest and power and passions, the agencies of the All-merciful One, silently, patiently working out the counsels of His own will. PK 499.4"
Both passages highlight God's control over rulers and events, even when they appear to be driven by human will. Proverbs 21:1 provides a concise statement of the principle that EGW elaborates on.
Proverbs 21:5
"The thoughts of the diligent tend only to plenteousness; but of every one that is hasty only to want."
"There is a class of poor brethren who are not free from temptation. They are poor managers, they have not wise judgment, they wish to obtain means without waiting the slow process of persevering toil. Some are in such haste to better their condition that they engage in various enterprises without consulting men of good judgment and experience. Their expectations are seldom realized; instead of gaining, they lose, and then come temptation and a disposition to envy the rich. They really want to be benefited by the wealth of their brethren, and feel tried because they are not. But they are not worthy of receiving special help. They have evidence that their efforts have been scattered. They have been changeable in business, and full of anxiety and cares which bring but small returns. Such persons should listen to the counsel of those of experience. But frequently they are the last ones to seek advice. They think they have superior judgment and will not be taught. 1T 480.3"
The proverb directly addresses the contrast between diligence leading to plenty and hastiness leading to want, which is precisely the point EGW is making about those who seek quick riches without proper planning and effort.
"So far as possible we should avoid hurried eating. The shorter the time for a meal, the less should be eaten. It is better to omit a meal than to eat without proper mastication. Ed 206.1"
While Proverbs 21:5 speaks of diligence and hastiness in a broader context, the principle of avoiding haste and its negative consequences can be applied to eating. EGW directly connects hurried eating with poor digestion and health, echoing the idea that haste leads to negative outcomes.
Proverbs 21:13
"Whoso stoppeth his ears at the cry of the poor, he also shall cry himself, but shall not be heard."
"It should be written upon the conscience as with a pen of iron upon a rock, that he who disregards mercy, compassion, and righteousness, he who neglects the poor, who ignores the needs of suffering humanity, who is not kind and courteous, is so conducting himself that God cannot co-operate with him in the development of character. The culture of the mind and heart is more easily accomplished when we feel such tender sympathy for others that we bestow our benefits and privileges to relieve their necessities. Getting and holding all that we can for ourselves tends to poverty of soul. But all the attributes of Christ await the reception of those who will do the very work that God has appointed them to do, working in Christ's lines. 6T 262.1"
Both passages connect neglecting the poor with negative consequences. Proverbs 21:13 states that those who ignore the poor will not be heard when they cry out, while the EGW passage suggests that neglecting the poor hinders character development and God's cooperation.
"A spirit of prejudice respecting means came over us during the past winter, causing us to feel that Brother W. was asking for means when he did not need it. We now ascertain that at this very time he was really in want, and we were wrong in that we did not inquire into the case as we should. We acknowledge that this feeling was unfounded and cruel, though it was caused by misapprehension of the facts in the case. 1T 611.1"
The EGW passage describes a failure to inquire about and meet Brother White's needs, which is thematically similar to Proverbs' warning against ignoring the cry of the poor. Both emphasize the importance of attending to the needs of others.
Proverbs 21:17
"He that loveth pleasure shall be a poor man: he that loveth wine and oil shall not be rich."
"There is no time and no money for charity. And often the home table is stinted. The food is ill selected and hastily prepared, and the demands of nature are but partially supplied. The result is wrong habits of diet, which create disease or lead to intemperance. Ed 247.1"
Both passages address the consequences of prioritizing pleasure and indulgence over more practical needs, leading to poverty or negative health outcomes. The connection is thematic rather than a direct principle.
Proverbs 21:20
"There is treasure to be desired and oil in the dwelling of the wise; but a foolish man spendeth it up."
"I was shown that you, my brother and sister, have much to learn. You have not lived within your means. You have not learned to economize. If you earn high wages, you do not know how to make it go as far as possible. You consult taste or appetite instead of prudence. At times you expend money for a quality of food in which your brethren cannot afford to indulge. Dollars slip from your pocket very easily. 2T 431.4"
Both passages address the principle of wise spending versus foolishly squandering resources. The EGW passage provides a specific example of this principle in action, while Proverbs 21:20 states the principle directly.
"You have been in a business which would at times yield you large profits at once. After you have earned means you have not studied to economize in reference to a time when means could not be earned so easily, but have expended much for imaginary wants. Had you and your wife understood it to be a duty that God enjoined upon you to deny your taste and your desires, and make provision for the future instead of living merely for the present, you could now have had a competency and your family have had the comforts of life. You have a lesson to learn which you should not be backward in learning. It is to make a little go the longest way. 2T 432.3"
Both passages address the principle of wise spending versus foolishly squandering resources. The EGW passage provides a specific example of this principle in action, while Proverbs 21:20 states the principle directly.
Proverbs 21:30
"There is no wisdom nor understanding nor counsel against the Lord."
"“With whom, think you,” he finally said, “are ye contending? with an old man on the brink of the grave? No! with Truth—Truth which is stronger than you, and will overcome you.”—Wylie, b. 2, ch. 13. So saying, he withdrew from the assembly, and not one of his adversaries attempted to prevent him. GC 90.3"
The EGW passage, quoting Wylie, directly asserts the power of truth against opposition, which aligns with the Proverb's declaration that no wisdom or counsel can stand against the Lord. The proverb is a general statement of God's power, and the EGW quote is a specific example of that power in action.