"The fear of the Lord dwelt in the heart of Luther, enabling him to maintain his steadfastness of purpose and leading him to deep humility before God. He had an abiding sense of his dependence upon divine aid, and he did not fail to begin each day with prayer, while his heart was continually breathing a petition for guidance and support. “To pray well,” he often said, “is the better half of study.”—D'Aubigne, b. 2, ch. 2. GC 122.1"
"The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge: but fools despise wisdom and instruction."
Both passages highlight the importance of the fear of the Lord. The EGW passage directly states that the fear of the Lord enabled Luther to maintain steadfastness and humility, aligning with the principle in Proverbs 1:7 that the fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge.
"While one day examining the books in the library of the university, Luther discovered a Latin Bible. Such a book he had never before seen. He was ignorant even of its existence. He had heard portions of the Gospels and Epistles, which were read to the people at public worship, and he supposed that these were the entire Bible. Now, for the first time, he looked upon the whole of God's word. With mingled awe and wonder he turned the sacred pages; with quickened pulse and throbbing heart he read for himself the words of life, pausing now and then to exclaim: “O that God would give me such a book for myself!”— Ibid., b. 2, ch. 2. Angels of heaven were by his side, and rays of light from the throne of God revealed the treasures of truth to his understanding. He had ever feared to offend God, but now the deep conviction of his condition as a sinner took hold upon him as never before. GC 122.2"
"Open thou mine eyes, that I may behold wondrous things out of thy law."
The EGW passage describes Luther's experience of discovering the Bible and having his understanding enlightened. This strongly parallels the sentiment in Psalm 119:18, where the psalmist asks God to open his eyes to understand the law. The act of discovering the Bible and having one's understanding opened is a clear thematic parallel.
"Thy words were found, and I did eat them; and thy word was unto me the joy and rejoicing of mine heart: for I am called by thy name, O Lord God of hosts."
The EGW passage describes Luther's joy and wonder upon discovering the Bible, which resonates with Jeremiah's experience of finding and 'eating' God's words, leading to joy and rejoicing. Both passages highlight the transformative power and delight found in encountering God's word.