"The false report of the unfaithful spies was fully accepted, and through it the whole congregation were deluded, just as Satan meant that they should be; and the voice of God through His faithful servants was disregarded. The traitors had done their work. All the assembly, as with one voice, cried out in favor of stoning Caleb and Joshua. 5T 378.1"
"But all the congregation bade stone them with stones. And the glory of the Lord appeared in the tabernacle of the congregation before all the children of Israel."
The EGW passage recounts the story of the unfaithful spies and the congregation's reaction, directly mirroring the events described in Numbers 14:10, including the intent to stone Caleb and Joshua. The parallel is strong and specific.
And now the mighty God reveals Himself, to the confusion of His disobedient, murmuring people. “And the glory of the Lord appeared in the tabernacle of the congregation before all the children of Israel.” What a burden was brought upon Moses and Aaron, and how earnest were their entreaties that God would not destroy His people! Moses pleads before the Lord the wonderful manifestations of divine power that have made the name of Israel's God a terror to their enemies, and entreats that the enemies of God and of His people may have no occasion to triumph, saying: “Because the Lord was not able to bring this people into the land which He sware unto them, therefore He hath slain them in the wilderness.” The Lord hearkened unto the prayer of Moses; but he declared that those who had rebelled against Him, after having witnessed His power and glory, should fall in the wilderness; they should never see the land which was their promised inheritance. But of Caleb He said: “My servant Caleb, becau…
"And the Lord said unto Moses, How long will this people provoke me? and how long will it be ere they believe me, for all the signs which I have shewed among them?"
The EGW passage directly quotes and elaborates on the events surrounding Numbers 14, including Moses' intercession and God's response to the Israelites' rebellion. It's more than a thematic parallel; it's a direct engagement with the narrative.
"It was Caleb's faith in God that gave him courage; that kept him from the fear of man, even the mighty giants, the sons of Anak, and enabled him to stand boldly and unflinchingly in defense of the right. From the same exalted source, the mighty General of the armies of heaven, every true soldier of the cross of Christ must receive strength and courage to overcome obstacles that often seem insurmountable. The law of God is made void; and those who would do their duty must be ever ready to speak the words that God gives them, and not the words of doubt, discouragement, and despair. 5T 378.3"
"But my servant Caleb, because he had another spirit with him, and hath followed me fully, him will I bring into the land whereinto he went; and his seed shall possess it."
The EGW passage uses Caleb's example of faith and courage as a model for Christians, drawing a direct principle from his story. The connection is strong and purposeful.