"He pointed His hearers to the Ruler of the universe, under the new name, “Our Father.” He would have them understand how tenderly the heart of God yearned over them. He teaches that God cares for every lost soul; that “like as a father pitieth his children, so the Lord pitieth them that fear Him.” Psalm 103:13 . Such a conception of God was never given to the world by any religion but that of the Bible. Heathenism teaches men to look upon the Supreme Being as an object of fear rather than of love—a malign deity to be appeased by sacrifices, rather than a Father pouring upon His children the gift of His love. Even the people of Israel had become so blinded to the precious teaching of the prophets concerning God that this revelation of His paternal love was as an original subject, a new gift to the world. MB 74.1"
"Like as a father pitieth his children, so the Lord pitieth them that fear him."
Ellen White directly references Psalms 103:13 in this passage.
"The Jews held that God loved those who served Him,—according to their view, those who fulfilled the requirements of the rabbis,—and that all the rest of the world lay under His frown and curse. Not so, said Jesus; the whole world, the evil and the good, lies in the sunshine of His love. This truth you should have learned from nature itself; for God “maketh His sun to rise on the evil and on the good, and sendeth rain on the just and on the unjust.” MB 74.2"
"That ye may be the children of your Father which is in heaven: for he maketh his sun to rise on the evil and on the good, and sendeth rain on the just and on the unjust."
EGW directly quotes Matthew 5:45 to support her point. This is a clear and undeniable explicit allusion.
"Then Peter opened his mouth, and said, Of a truth I perceive that God is no respecter of persons: But in every nation he that feareth him, and worketh righteousness, is accepted with him."
Both passages address God's impartiality and acceptance of all who fear Him and do what is right, regardless of their background. While not a direct quote, the theme aligns strongly.
"It is not because of inherent power that year by year the earth produces her bounties and continues her motion round the sun. The hand of God guides the planets and keeps them in position in their orderly march through the heavens. It is through His power that summer and winter, seedtime and harvest, day and night follow each other in their regular succession. It is by His word that vegetation flourishes, that the leaves appear and the flowers bloom. Every good thing we have, each ray of sunshine and shower of rain, every morsel of food, every moment of life, is a gift of love. MB 74.3"
"Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights, with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning."
Both passages highlight that every good thing comes from God. James 1:17 states this directly, while the EGW passage illustrates it with examples from nature and daily life. The connection is clear and meaningful.
"For in him we live, and move, and have our being; as certain also of your own poets have said, For we are also his offspring."
Both passages speak to God's role in sustaining life and the universe. Acts 17:28 emphasizes our dependence on God for existence, while the EGW passage details God's provision in nature. The connection is thematic and supportive.