"This book, which tells us how to spend the present life, that we may secure the future, immortal life, is of more value to students than any other. We have but a brief period in which to become acquainted with its truths. But the one who had made God's word a study, and who could more than any other teacher have helped the young to gain a knowledge of the Scriptures, has been separated from the school. 5T 61.1"
"And this is life eternal, that they might know thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom thou hast sent."
EGW's statement about the value of the Bible in securing eternal life echoes the sentiment in John 17:3, which defines eternal life as knowing God and Jesus Christ. Both passages connect knowledge of God with eternal life.
"Professors and teachers have not understood the design of the college. We have put in means and thought and labor to make it what God would have it. The will and judgment of those who are almost wholly ignorant of the way in which God has led us as a people, should not have a controlling influence in that college. The Lord has repeatedly shown that we should not pattern after the popular schools. Ministers of other denominations spend years in obtaining an education. Our young men must obtain theirs in a short time. Where there is now one minister, there should be twenty whom our college had prepared with God's help to enter the gospel field. 5T 61.2"
"Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths."
EGW's emphasis on following God's leading and not relying on human understanding aligns with the principle in Proverbs 3:5-6, which encourages trusting in the Lord and acknowledging Him in all ways.
"Many of our younger ministers, and some of more mature experience, are neglecting the word of God and also despising the testimonies of His Spirit. They do not know what the testimonies contain and do not wish to know. They do not wish to discover and correct their defects of character. Many parents do not themselves seek instruction from the testimonies, and of course they cannot impart it to their children. They show their contempt for the light which God has given, by going directly contrary to His instructions. Those at the heart of the work have set the example. 5T 61.3"
"My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge: because thou hast rejected knowledge, I will also reject thee, that thou shalt be no priest to me: seeing thou hast forgotten the law of thy God, I will also forget thy children."
EGW's lament about the neglect of God's word and testimonies, leading to defects of character, directly parallels the warning in Hosea 4:6 about the destruction that comes from rejecting knowledge of God.