"For over a year the temple was neglected and well-nigh forsaken. The people dwelt in their homes and strove to attain temporal prosperity, but their situation was deplorable. Work as they might they did not prosper. The very elements of nature seemed to conspire against them. Because they had let the temple lie waste, the Lord sent upon their substance a wasting drought. God had bestowed upon them the fruits of field and garden, the corn and the wine and the oil, as a token of His favor; but because they had used these bountiful gifts so selfishly, the blessings were removed. PK 573.1"
"Ye looked for much, and, lo, it came to little; and when ye brought it home, I did blow upon it. Why? saith the Lord of hosts. Because of mine house that is waste, and ye run every man unto his own house."
Both passages describe a situation where the people are not prospering because they have neglected the temple. The EGW passage elaborates on the consequences of neglecting the temple, echoing the themes in Haggai 1:9.
"And thy heaven that is over thy head shall be brass, and the earth that is under thee shall be iron."
Both passages describe a consequence of disobedience leading to agricultural hardship. Deuteronomy 28:23 describes the heavens as brass and the earth as iron, leading to drought. EGW describes a wasting drought as a consequence of neglecting the temple. The connection is thematic, not explicit, but meaningful.
"And I will rebuke the devourer for your sakes, and he shall not destroy the fruits of your ground; neither shall your vine cast her fruit before the time in the field, saith the Lord of hosts."
Both passages discuss God rebuking the 'devourer' and preventing the destruction of crops as a blessing for obedience. EGW describes the removal of blessings (fruits, corn, wine, oil) due to selfishness, which aligns with the principle in Malachi 3:11. The connection is thematic and meaningful.
"Such were the conditions existing during the early part of the reign of Darius Hystaspes. Spiritually as well as temporally, the Israelites were in a pitiable state. So long had they murmured and doubted; so long had they chosen to make personal interests first, while viewing with apathy the Lord's temple in ruins, that many had lost sight of God's purpose in restoring them to Judea; and these were saying, “The time is not come, the time that the Lord's house should be built.” Haggai 1:2 . PK 573.2"
"Thus speaketh the Lord of hosts, saying, This people say, The time is not come, the time that the Lord’s house should be built."
EGW directly quotes Haggai 1:2, making this an explicit allusion.
"But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you."
The EGW passage describes the Israelites prioritizing personal interests over God's work (building the temple), leading to negative consequences. This is the opposite of Matthew 6:33, which encourages seeking God's kingdom first. The principle of prioritizing God is present in both passages.
"If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land."
Both passages relate to a conditional promise of blessing based on the people's actions. In 2 Chronicles 7:14, humbling themselves, praying, seeking God's face, and turning from wickedness leads to healing of the land. In EGW, neglecting the temple leads to a pitiable state. While not a direct quote or explicit allusion, the thematic parallel of conditional blessing/cursing is present.
"Zechariah were raised up to meet the crisis. In stirring testimonies these appointed messengers revealed to the people the cause of their troubles. The lack of temporal prosperity was the result of a neglect to put God's interests first, the prophets declared. Had the Israelites honored God, had they shown Him due respect and courtesy, by making the building of His house their first work, they would have invited His presence and blessing. PK 573.3"
"Ye looked for much, and, lo, it came to little; and when ye brought it home, I did blow upon it. Why? saith the Lord of hosts. Because of mine house that is waste, and ye run every man unto his own house."
The EGW passage echoes the sentiment of Haggai 1:9, where the lack of prosperity is linked to neglecting God's house. The connection is thematic and not a direct quote, but the parallel is strong.