"Missionary Families Missionary families are needed to settle in the waste places. Let farmers, financiers, builders, and those who are skilled in various arts and crafts, go to neglected fields, to improve the land, to establish industries, to prepare humble homes for themselves, and to help their neighbors. MH 194"
"And they that shall be of thee shall build the old waste places: thou shalt raise up the foundations of many generations; and thou shalt be called, The repairer of the breach, The restorer of paths to dwell in."
Both passages speak to the idea of restoring and rebuilding neglected places. Isaiah 58:12 refers to rebuilding old waste places, while the EGW passage encourages skilled individuals to settle in neglected fields and improve the land.
"Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven."
The EGW passage aligns with the principle of Matthew 5:16, which encourages good works to glorify God. The EGW passage suggests that missionary families, through their skills and service, can be a light to others and improve their communities.
"But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth."
Both passages deal with spreading the message/helping others in different locations. The EGW passage focuses on practical skills and settling in 'waste places,' while Acts 1:8 is about spreading the gospel to the 'uttermost part of the earth.' The connection is thematic, but not a strong or direct principle.
"In ministry to the poor there is a wide field of service for women as well as for men. The efficient cook, the housekeeper, the seamstress, the nurse—the help of all is needed. Let the members of poor households be taught how to cook, how to make and mend their own clothing, how to nurse the sick, how to care properly for the home. Let boys and girls be thoroughly taught some useful trade or occupation. MH 194.2"
"Let him that stole steal no more: but rather let him labour, working with his hands the thing which is good, that he may have to give to him that needeth."
The EGW passage directly reflects the principle in Ephesians 4:28, which encourages honest labor and sharing with those in need. EGW advocates for teaching useful trades to enable people to provide for themselves and potentially help others.
"She riseth also while it is yet night, and giveth meat to her household, and a portion to her maidens."
Both passages highlight the industriousness and domestic skills of women, particularly in providing for their households. Proverbs 31:15 describes a woman providing for her household, while the EGW passage encourages women to teach these skills to others.
"That they may teach the young women to be sober, to love their husbands, to love their children, To be discreet, chaste, keepers at home, good, obedient to their own husbands, that the word of God be not blasphemed."
Both passages emphasize the importance of women being skilled in domestic arts and teaching those skills to others. Titus 2:4-5 focuses on teaching young women to be keepers at home, while the EGW passage encourages teaching practical skills to the poor.
The rough places of nature, the wild places, God has made attractive by placing beautiful things among the most unsightly. This is the work we are called to do. Even the desert places of the earth, where the outlook appears to be forbidding, may become as the garden of God. “In that day shall the deaf hear the words of the book, And the eyes of the blind shall see out of obscurity, and out of darkness. The meek also shall increase their joy in the Lord, And the poor among men shall rejoice in the Holy One of Israel.” Isaiah 29:18, 19 . MH 194.4 By instruction in practical lines we can often help the poor most effectively. As a rule, those who have not been trained to work do not have habits of industry, perseverance, economy, and self-denial. They do not know how to manage. Often through lack of carefulness and right judgment there is wasted that which would maintain their families in decency and comfort if it were carefully and economically used. “Much food is in the tillage of the po…
"Much food is in the tillage of the poor: but there is that is destroyed for want of judgment."
Ellen White directly references Proverbs 13:23 in this passage.