I saw that many who profess to believe the truth for these last days think it strange that the children of Israel murmured as they journeyed; that after the wonderful dealings of God with them, they should be so ungrateful as to forget what He had done for them. Said the angel: “Ye have done worse than they.” I saw that God has given His servants the truth so clear, so plain, that it cannot be resisted. Wherever they go, they have certain victory. Their enemies cannot get round the convincing truth. Light has been shed so clear that the servants of God can stand up anywhere and let truth, clear and connected, bear away the victory. This great blessing has not been prized, or even realized. If any trial arises, some begin to look back and think they have a hard time. Some of the professed servants of God do not know what purifying trials are. They sometimes make trials for themselves, imagine trials, and are so easily discouraged, so easily hurt, self-dignity is so quick to feel, that t…
"Because all those men which have seen my glory, and my miracles, which I did in Egypt and in the wilderness, and have tempted me now these ten times, and have not hearkened to my voice;"
Both passages deal with the Israelites' ungratefulness and testing of God despite witnessing His power. EGW directly references the Israelites' murmuring and applies it to believers in the 'last days,' suggesting a parallel between their experiences and the Israelites'.
"Neither murmur ye, as some of them also murmured, and were destroyed of the destroyer."
Both passages address the sin of murmuring, specifically referencing the Israelites' murmuring in the wilderness. EGW directly mentions the Israelites' murmuring and connects it to the behavior of believers in her time, drawing a parallel and warning against the same sin.
"Some have felt tempted to take themselves from the work, to labor with their hands. I saw that if the hand of God should be taken from them, and they be left subject to disease and death, then they would know what trouble is. It is a fearful thing to murmur against God. They do not bear in mind that the way which they are traveling is a rugged, self-denying, self-crucifying way, and they must not expect everything to move on as smoothly as though they were traveling in the broad road. 1T 129.2"
"Then said Jesus unto his disciples, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me."
The EGW passage directly references the concept of self-denial and self-crucifixion as part of the Christian journey, echoing the sentiment in Matthew 16:24 about denying oneself and taking up one's cross to follow Jesus.
"Neither murmur ye, as some of them also murmured, and were destroyed of the destroyer."
The EGW passage speaks against murmuring against God, and directly connects it to the difficulties of the Christian journey. This aligns with 1 Corinthians 10:10, which warns against murmuring as the Israelites did, leading to their destruction.
"Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat: Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it."
The EGW passage contrasts the 'rugged, self-denying' way with a 'broad road,' mirroring the imagery of the narrow and broad paths in Matthew 7:13-14. The connection is clear and supports the idea of two distinct paths with different outcomes.
"spirit of self-sacrifice, and are ready to labor cheerfully, not sparing themselves, God will release them. He will not acknowledge them as His self-sacrificing servants, but will raise up those who will labor, not slothfully, but in earnest, and will know when they have an easy time. God's servants must feel the burden of souls and weep between the porch and the altar, crying: “Spare Thy people, O Lord.” 1T 129.3"
"Let the priests, the ministers of the Lord, weep between the porch and the altar, and let them say, Spare thy people, O Lord, and give not thine heritage to reproach, that the heathen should rule over them: wherefore should they say among the people, Where is their God?"
The EGW passage directly quotes the phrase 'Spare Thy people, O Lord' and references weeping 'between the porch and the altar,' which is a clear and direct allusion to Joel 2:17.