"What an industrial school was that in the wilderness, having for its instructors Christ and His angels! Ed 37.1"
"And I have filled him with the spirit of God, in wisdom, and in understanding, and in knowledge, and in all manner of workmanship,"
The EGW passage refers to the wilderness experience as an 'industrial school' with Christ and angels as instructors. Exodus 31:3 describes God filling Bezaleel with the Spirit to enable him to do all manner of workmanship related to the tabernacle. While not a direct quote, the concept of divine empowerment for skilled work connects the two passages thematically, suggesting God's involvement in practical skills and learning.
"In the preparation of the sanctuary and in its furnishing, all the people were to co-operate. There was labor for brain and hand. A great variety of material was required, and all were invited to contribute as their own hearts prompted. Ed 37.2"
"And they came, every one whose heart stirred him up, and every one whom his spirit made willing, and they brought the Lord’s offering to the work of the tabernacle of the congregation, and for all his service, and for the holy garments."
The EGW passage directly echoes the principle found in Exodus 35:21, where people were moved by their hearts and spirits to contribute to the tabernacle's construction. Both passages emphasize the voluntary and heartfelt nature of the contributions and labor.
"Thus in labor and in giving they were taught to co-operate with God and with one another. And they were to co-operate also in the preparation of the spiritual building—God's temple in the soul. Ed 37.3"
"In whom ye also are builded together for an habitation of God through the Spirit."
EGW's statement about cooperating in the preparation of the 'spiritual building' (God's temple in the soul) aligns thematically with Ephesians 2:22, which speaks of believers being 'built together for an habitation of God through the Spirit.' Both passages use the metaphor of building to describe spiritual growth and unity with God.
From the outset of the journey from Egypt, lessons had been given for their training and discipline. Even before they left Egypt a temporary organization had been effected, and the people were arranged in companies, under appointed leaders. At Sinai the arrangements for organization were completed. The order so strikingly displayed in all the works of God was manifest in the Hebrew economy. God was the center of authority and government. Moses, as His representative, was to administer the laws in His name. Then came the council of seventy, then the priests and the princes, under these “captains over thousands, and captains over hundreds, and captains over fifties, and captains over tens” ( Numbers 11:16, 17 ; Deuteronomy 1:15 ), and, lastly, officers appointed for special duties. The camp was arranged in exact order, the tabernacle, the abiding place of God, in the midst, and around it the tents of the priests and the Levites. Outside of these each tribe encamped beside its own standar…
"So I took the chief of your tribes, wise men, and known, and made them heads over you, captains over thousands, and captains over hundreds, and captains over fifties, and captains over tens, and officers among your tribes."
Ellen White directly references Deuteronomy 1:15 in this passage.