"Jacob's history is also an assurance that God will not cast off those who have been deceived and tempted and betrayed into sin, but who have returned unto Him with true repentance. While Satan seeks to destroy this class, God will send His angels to comfort and protect them in the time of peril. The assaults of Satan are fierce and determined, his delusions are terrible; but the Lord's eye is upon His people, and His ear listens to their cries. Their affliction is great, the flames of the furnace seem about to consume them; but the Refiner will bring them forth as gold tried in the fire. God's love for His children during the period of their severest trial is as strong and tender as in the days of their sunniest prosperity; but it is needful for them to be placed in the furnace of fire; their earthliness must be consumed, that the image of Christ may be perfectly reflected. GC 621.1"
"The Lord is nigh unto them that are of a broken heart; and saveth such as be of a contrite spirit."
Both passages speak of God's nearness and care for those who are brokenhearted and repentant, even amidst trials and temptations. The EGW passage expands on this theme, using the imagery of the refiner's fire, but the core idea of God's compassion for the afflicted is present in both.
"he was, will succeed as he succeeded. Those who are unwilling to deny self, to agonize before God, to pray long and earnestly for His blessing, will not obtain it. Wrestling with God—how few know what it is! How few have ever had their souls drawn out after God with intensity of desire until every power is on the stretch. When waves of despair which no language can express sweep over the suppliant, how few cling with unyielding faith to the promises of God. GC 621.2"
"And Jacob was left alone; and there wrestled a man with him until the breaking of the day. And when he saw that he prevailed not against him, he touched the hollow of his thigh; and the hollow of Jacob’s thigh was out of joint, as he wrestled with him. And he said, Let me go, for the day breaketh. And he said, I will not let thee go, except thou bless me. And he said unto him, What is thy name? And he said, Jacob. And he said, Thy name shall be called no more Jacob, but Israel: for as a prince hast thou power with God and with men, and hast prevailed."
The EGW passage directly references the concept of 'wrestling with God,' which is the central theme of Genesis 32:24-28. The EGW passage uses Jacob's experience as an example of the kind of intense, persistent prayer that is necessary to receive God's blessing.
"And being in an agony he prayed more earnestly: and his sweat was as it were great drops of blood falling down to the ground."
Both passages emphasize the intensity and earnestness of prayer, particularly in times of agony. The EGW passage speaks of 'agonizing before God' and 'waves of despair,' while Luke 22:44 describes Jesus' agony in prayer. The connection lies in the shared theme of fervent, desperate prayer.