A father must not be as a child, moved merely by impulse. He is bound to his family by sacred, holy ties. Every member of the family centers in the father. His name, “house-band,” is the true definition of husband. He is the lawmaker, illustrating in his own manly bearing the sterner virtues, energy, integrity, honesty, and practical usefulness. The father is in one sense the priest of the household, laying upon the altar of God the morning and evening sacrifice, while the wife and children unite in prayer and praise. With such a household Jesus will tarry, and through His quickening influence the parents’ joyful exclamations shall yet be heard amid more exalted scenes, saying: “Behold, I and the children whom the Lord hath given me.” Saved, saved, eternally saved! freed from the corruption that is in the world through lust, and through the merits of Christ made heirs of immortality! I saw that but few fathers realize their responsibility. They have not learned to control themselves, a…
"And if it seem evil unto you to serve the Lord, choose you this day whom ye will serve; whether the gods which your fathers served that were on the other side of the flood, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land ye dwell: but as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord."
EGW alludes to the idea of the father leading his household in serving God, similar to Joshua's declaration. The phrase 'Behold, I and the children whom the Lord hath given me' echoes the sentiment of Joshua's commitment, although it is not a direct quote. The connection is thematic, focusing on the father's responsibility to lead his family spiritually.
"For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them."
The EGW passage speaks of the father's role in leading family worship, and then quotes Isaiah 8:18, which is then connected to salvation. Matthew 18:20 speaks of Jesus being present where two or three are gathered in His name, which is a similar theme of God's presence in a family or small group context. The connection is thematic, not direct, but genuine.
My heart yearns over the church at ——, for there is a work to be accomplished there. It is God's design to have a people in that place. There is material there for a good church, but there is considerable work to be done to remove the rough edges and prepare them for working order, that all may labor unitedly and draw in even cords. It has hitherto been the case that when one or two felt the necessity of arousing and standing unitedly and more firmly upon the elevated platform of truth, others would make no effort to arise. Satan puts in them a spirit to rebel, to discourage those who would advance. They brace themselves when urged to take hold of the work, a stubborn spirit comes upon some, and when they should help they hinder. Some will not submit to the planing knife of God. As it passes over them, and the uneven surface is disturbed, they complain of too close and severe work. They wish to get out of God's workshop, where their defects may remain undisturbed. They seem to be aslee…
"Now I beseech you, brethren, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that ye all speak the same thing, and that there be no divisions among you; but that ye be perfectly joined together in the same mind and in the same judgment."
The EGW passage discusses the need for unity and the resistance to being molded by God, while 1 Corinthians 1:10 urges believers to speak the same thing and avoid divisions. The connection is thematic, focusing on unity and avoiding division within the church.
"That there should be no schism in the body; but that the members should have the same care one for another."
The EGW passage discusses the need for unity and the resistance to being molded by God, while 1 Corinthians 12:25 speaks of the members of the body having the same care for one another to avoid schism. The connection is thematic, focusing on unity and avoiding division within the church.
"Endeavouring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace."
The EGW passage discusses the need for unity and the resistance to being molded by God, while Ephesians 4:3 urges believers to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. The connection is thematic, focusing on unity and avoiding division within the church.