"Let those who are contemplating marriage weigh every sentiment and watch every development of character in the one with whom they think to unite their life destiny. Let every step toward a marriage alliance be characterized by modesty, simplicity, sincerity, and an earnest purpose to please and honor God. Marriage affects the afterlife both in this world and in the world to come. A sincere Christian will make no plans that God cannot approve. MH 359.1"
"In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths."
Both passages emphasize the importance of acknowledging God in all aspects of life, particularly in significant decisions like marriage. Proverbs 3:6 is a general principle, and EGW applies it specifically to the context of choosing a marriage partner, urging individuals to seek God's approval in their plans.
"If you are blessed with God-fearing parents, seek counsel of them. Open to them your hopes and plans, learn the lessons which their life experiences have taught, and you will be saved many a heartache. Above all, make Christ your counselor. Study His word with prayer. MH 359.2"
"My son, hear the instruction of thy father, and forsake not the law of thy mother:"
Both passages highlight the value of seeking counsel from parents. Proverbs 1:8 specifically instructs children to heed their parents' instruction, while EGW expands on this by encouraging individuals to open their hopes and plans to their parents and learn from their life experiences. The core principle of seeking parental guidance is present in both.
"Under such guidance let a young woman accept as a life companion only one who possesses pure, manly traits of character, one who is diligent, aspiring, and honest, one who loves and fears God. Let a young man seek one to stand by his side who is fitted to bear her share of life's burdens, one whose influence will ennoble and refine him, and who will make him happy in her love. MH 359.3"
"The wife is bound by the law as long as her husband liveth; but if her husband be dead, she is at liberty to be married to whom she will; only in the Lord."
Both passages discuss choosing a spouse with a focus on spiritual compatibility. While 1 Corinthians 7:39 focuses on remarriage and marrying 'in the Lord,' the EGW passage expands on the qualities to seek in a godly partner, amplifying the principle of spiritual alignment in marriage.
"“A prudent wife is from the Lord.” “The heart of her husband doth safely trust in her.... She will do him good and not evil all the days of her life.” “She openeth her mouth with wisdom; and in her tongue is the law of kindness. She looketh well to the ways of her household, and eateth not the bread of idleness. Her children arise up, and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praiseth her,” saying, “Many daughters have done virtuously, but thou excellest them all.” He who gains such a wife “findeth a good thing, and obtaineth favor of the Lord.” Proverbs 19:14 ; 31:11, 12, 26-29 ; 18:22 . MH 359.4"
"House and riches are the inheritance of fathers: and a prudent wife is from the Lord."
EGW directly quotes Proverbs 19:14, making it a clear explicit allusion.
"The heart of her husband doth safely trust in her, so that he shall have no need of spoil."
EGW directly quotes Proverbs 31:11, making it a clear explicit allusion.
"She will do him good and not evil all the days of her life."
EGW directly quotes Proverbs 31:12, making it a clear explicit allusion.
"She openeth her mouth with wisdom; and in her tongue is the law of kindness."
EGW directly quotes Proverbs 31:26.
"She looketh well to the ways of her household, and eateth not the bread of idleness."
EGW directly quotes Proverbs 31:27.
"Her children arise up, and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praiseth her."
EGW directly quotes Proverbs 31:28.
"Many daughters have done virtuously, but thou excellest them all."
EGW directly quotes Proverbs 31:29.
"Whoso findeth a wife findeth a good thing, and obtaineth favour of the Lord."
EGW directly quotes Proverbs 18:22.
"However carefully and wisely marriage may have been entered into, few couples are completely united when the marriage ceremony is performed. The real union of the two in wedlock is the work of the after years. MH 359.5"
"For this cause shall a man leave his father and mother, and shall be joined unto his wife, and they two shall be one flesh."
Both passages discuss the concept of two becoming one in marriage. EGW expands on the idea that this oneness is a process, not an immediate event, which aligns with the underlying principle of Ephesians 5:31.
"Therefore shall a man leave his father and his mother, and shall cleave unto his wife: and they shall be one flesh."
Similar to Ephesians 5:31, Genesis 2:24 speaks of the union of marriage. EGW's statement that the union is a process aligns with the idea of 'cleaving' and becoming 'one flesh' as a journey, not a single event.