"Ezra 8:21-23 : “Then I proclaimed a fast there, at the river of Ahava, that we might afflict ourselves before our God, to seek of Him a right way for us, and for our little ones, and for all our substance. For I was ashamed to require of the king a band of soldiers and horsemen to help us against the enemy in the way: because we had spoken unto the king, saying, The hand of our God is upon all them for good that seek Him; but His power and His wrath is against all them that forsake Him. So we fasted and besought our God for this: and He was entreated of us.” 1T 282.1"
"Then I proclaimed a fast there, at the river of Ahava, that we might afflict ourselves before our God, to seek of him a right way for us, and for our little ones, and for all our substance. For I was ashamed to require of the king a band of soldiers and horsemen to help us against the enemy in the way: because we had spoken unto the king, saying, The hand of our God is upon all them for good that seek him; but his power and his wrath is against all them that forsake him. So we fasted and besought our God for this: and he was intreated of us."
Ellen White directly references Ezra 8:21-23 in this passage.
"The prophet and these fathers did not regard the people of the land as worshipers of the true God, and though these professed friendship and wished to help them, they dared not unite with them in anything relating to His worship. When going up to Jerusalem to build the temple of God and to restore His worship, they would not ask help of the king to assist them in the way, but by fasting and prayer sought the Lord for help. They believed that God would defend and prosper His servants in their efforts to serve Him. The Creator of all things needs not the help of His enemies to establish His worship. He asks not the sacrifice of wickedness, nor accepts the offerings of those who have other gods before the Lord. 1T 282.2"
"For I was ashamed to require of the king a band of soldiers and horsemen to help us against the enemy in the way: because we had spoken unto the king, saying, The hand of our God is upon all them for good that seek him; but his power and his wrath is against all them that forsake him."
The EGW passage directly echoes the story and principle found in Ezra 8:22, where Ezra refused military escort because he trusted in God's protection. The refusal to accept help from those outside the faith is a clear parallel.
"Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers: for what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? and what communion hath light with darkness?"
The EGW passage directly reflects the principle of not uniting with unbelievers in matters of worship, which is the core message of 2 Corinthians 6:14. The connection is strong and clear.
"And when the Lord thy God shall deliver them before thee; thou shalt smite them, and utterly destroy them; thou shalt make no covenant with them, nor shew mercy unto them:"
Both passages deal with the idea of not making covenants with those who do not worship the true God. Deuteronomy 7:2 commands the Israelites to destroy and make no covenant with the inhabitants of the land, while the EGW passage describes a similar refusal to unite with those who are not true worshipers. The connection is a valid thematic parallel.
"Take heed to thyself, lest thou make a covenant with the inhabitants of the land whither thou goest, lest it be for a snare in the midst of thee:"
Exodus 34:12 warns against making covenants with the inhabitants of the land to avoid being ensnared. The EGW passage echoes this sentiment by emphasizing the refusal to unite with those who are not true worshipers, highlighting the danger of compromise. The connection is a valid thematic parallel.
"Commit thy way unto the Lord; trust also in him; and he shall bring it to pass."
The EGW passage illustrates the principle of trusting God rather than relying on worldly help, aligning with the sentiment of committing one's way to the Lord in Psalm 37:5. The context of rebuilding the temple emphasizes reliance on God's provision and protection.
"My help cometh from the Lord, which made heaven and earth."
The EGW passage describes seeking the Lord for help and believing He will defend and prosper His servants. Psalm 121:2 states that help comes from the Lord. Both passages share the theme of relying on God for help and protection, although the EGW passage is more specific about the context of worship. The connection is a reasonable thematic parallel.
"We often hear the remark: “You are too exclusive.” As a people we would make any sacrifice to save souls, or lead them to the truth. But to unite with them, to love the things that they love, and have friendship with the world, we dare not, for we should then be at enmity with God. 1T 282.3"
"Ye adulterers and adulteresses, know ye not that the friendship of the world is enmity with God? whosoever therefore will be a friend of the world is the enemy of God."
This is a duplicate of pair 2. The EGW passage directly quotes the concept of 'friendship with the world' being 'enmity with God,' which is the central theme of James 4:4. This is a clear and direct connection.
"Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers: for what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? and what communion hath light with darkness?"
The EGW passage directly echoes the principle of separation from unbelievers found in 2 Corinthians 6:14, emphasizing the incompatibility of righteousness and unrighteousness.
"Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him."
The EGW passage directly reflects the principle of not loving the world, as stated in 1 John 2:15. Both passages warn against worldliness and its incompatibility with love for God.
"Psalm 135:4 : “For the Lord hath chosen Jacob unto Himself, and Israel for His peculiar treasure.” 1T 282.5"
"For the Lord hath chosen Jacob unto himself, and Israel for his peculiar treasure."
Ellen White directly references Psalms 135:4 in this passage.
"Deuteronomy 14:2 : “For thou art an holy people unto the Lord thy God, and the Lord hath chosen thee to be a peculiar people unto Himself, above all the nations that are upon the earth.” 1T 282.6"
"For thou art an holy people unto the Lord thy God, and the Lord hath chosen thee to be a peculiar people unto himself, above all the nations that are upon the earth."
Ellen White directly references Deuteronomy 14:2 in this passage.