The Lord designated a special family of the tribe of Levi to bear the ark; and others of the Levites were specially appointed of God to bear the tabernacle and all its furniture, and to perform the work of setting up and taking down the tabernacle. And if any man from curiosity or from lack of order got out of his place and touched any part of the sanctuary or furniture, or even came near any of the workmen, he was to be put to death. God did not leave His holy tabernacle to be borne, erected, and taken down, indiscriminately, by any tribe who might choose the office; but persons were chosen who could appreciate the sacredness of the work in which they were engaged. These men appointed of God were directed to impress upon the people the special sacredness of the ark and all that appertained thereunto, lest they should look upon these things without realizing their holiness and should be cut off from Israel. All things pertaining to the most holy place were to be looked upon with revere…
"And when Aaron and his sons have made an end of covering the sanctuary, and all the vessels of the sanctuary, as the camp is to set forward; after that, the sons of Kohath shall come to bear it: but they shall not touch any holy thing, lest they die. These things are the burden of the sons of Kohath in the tabernacle of the congregation."
The EGW passage directly alludes to and expands upon the details in Numbers 4:15 regarding the Kohathites' responsibility for carrying the sanctuary and the prohibition against touching holy things, with the penalty of death for disobedience. The connection is clear and explicit.
"And thou shalt appoint Aaron and his sons, and they shall wait on their priest’s office: and the stranger that cometh nigh shall be put to death."
The EGW passage elaborates on the principle of divine order and the consequences of violating it, as exemplified in Numbers 3:10. The verse establishes the principle that unauthorized individuals approaching sacred things would be put to death, and EGW expands on this by providing context and examples related to the Levites and the Ark of the Covenant.
"And when the tabernacle setteth forward, the Levites shall take it down: and when the tabernacle is to be pitched, the Levites shall set it up: and the stranger that cometh nigh shall be put to death."
The EGW passage directly alludes to Numbers 1:51, which states that the Levites are responsible for taking down and setting up the tabernacle, and that unauthorized individuals who approach it will be put to death. The EGW passage expands on this concept, emphasizing the sacredness of the work and the importance of following God's instructions.
"The travels of the children of Israel are faithfully described; the deliverance which the Lord wrought for them, their perfect organization and special order, their sin in murmuring against Moses and thus against God, their transgressions, their rebellions, their punishments, their carcasses strewn in the wilderness because of their unwillingness to submit to God's wise arrangements—this faithful picture is hung up before us as a warning lest we follow their example of disobedience and fall like them. 1T 652.2"
"Now these things were our examples, to the intent we should not lust after evil things, as they also lusted."
The EGW passage explicitly refers to the Israelites' journey and uses it as a warning, directly echoing the sentiment in 1 Corinthians 10:6 that their experiences serve as examples for us.
“But with many of them God was not well pleased: for they were overthrown in the wilderness. Now these things were our examples, to the intent we should not lust after evil things, as they also lusted. Neither be ye idolaters, as were some of them; as it is written, The people sat down to eat and drink, and rose up to play. Neither let us commit fornication, as some of them committed, and fell in one day three and twenty thousand. Neither let us tempt Christ, as some of them also tempted, and were destroyed of serpents. Neither murmur ye, as some of them also murmured, and were destroyed of the destroyer. Now all these things happened unto them for ensamples: and they are written for our admonition, upon whom the ends of the world are come. Wherefore let him that thinketh he standeth take heed lest he fall.” Has God changed from a God of order? No; He is the same in the present dispensation as in the former. Paul says: “God is not the author of confusion, but of peace.” He is as partic…
"But with many of them God was not well pleased: for they were overthrown in the wilderness."
The EGW passage directly quotes 1 Corinthians 10:5, making it an explicit allusion.
"And they rose up early on the morrow, and offered burnt offerings, and brought peace offerings; and the people sat down to eat and to drink, and rose up to play."
The EGW passage directly quotes 1 Corinthians 10:7 which is a direct quote from Exodus 32:6, making it an explicit allusion.
"And the Lord sent fiery serpents among the people, and they bit the people; and much people of Israel died."
The EGW passage directly alludes to the event described in Numbers 21:6, where the Israelites were destroyed by serpents for tempting Christ.