"And now Nehemiah turned his attention to the danger that again threatened Israel from intermarriage and association with idolaters. “In those days,” he writes, “saw I Jews that had married wives of Ashdod, of Ammon, and of Moab: and their children spake half in the speech of Ashdod, and could not speak in the Jews’ language, but according to the language of each people.” PK 673.1"
"In those days also saw I Jews that had married wives of Ashdod, of Ammon, and of Moab:"
The EGW passage directly quotes Nehemiah 13:23 and expands on the issue of intermarriage with people from Ashdod, Ammon, and Moab.
"These unlawful alliances were causing great confusion in Israel; for some who entered into them were men in high position, rulers to whom the people had a right to look for counsel and a safe example. Foreseeing the ruin before the nation if this evil were allowed to continue, Nehemiah reasoned earnestly with the wrongdoers. Pointing to the case of Solomon, he reminded them that among all the nations there had risen no king like this man, to whom God had given great wisdom; yet idolatrous women had turned his heart from God, and his example had corrupted Israel. “Shall we then hearken unto you,” Nehemiah sternly demanded, “to do all this great evil?” “Ye shall not give your daughters unto their sons, nor take their daughters unto your sons, or for yourselves.” PK 673.2"
"For it came to pass, when Solomon was old, that his wives turned away his heart after other gods: and his heart was not perfect with the Lord his God, as was the heart of David his father."
The EGW passage explicitly refers to Solomon's downfall due to foreign wives, referencing the narrative found in 1 Kings 11:4 and other verses in the chapter. It uses this example to warn against intermarriage.
"As he set before them God's commands and threatenings, and the fearful judgments visited on Israel in the past for this very sin, their consciences were aroused, and a work of reformation was begun that turned away God's threatened anger and brought His approval and blessing. PK 673.3"
"Neither shalt thou make marriages with them; thy daughter thou shalt not give unto his son, nor his daughter shalt thou take unto thy son. For they will turn away thy son from following me, that they may serve other gods: so will the anger of the Lord be kindled against you, and destroy thee suddenly."
The EGW passage directly references the consequences of intermarriage with foreign nations, echoing the warning in Deuteronomy 7:3-4 about turning away from God and incurring His anger. The context of Ezra and Nehemiah's reforms directly relates to this principle.