connections Bible verses EGW passages
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Page 708
"Through messages such as those borne by Malachi, the last of the Old Testament prophets, as well as through oppression from heathen foes, the Israelites finally learned the lesson that true prosperity depends upon obedience to the law of God. But with many of the people, obedience was not the outflow of faith and love. Their motives were selfish. Outward service was rendered as a means of attaining to national greatness. The chosen people did not become the light of the world, but shut themselves away from the world as a safeguard against being seduced into idolatry. The restrictions which God had given, forbidding intermarriage between His people and the heathen, and prohibiting Israel from joining in the idolatrous practices of surrounding nations, were so perverted as to build up a wall of partition between the Israelites and all other peoples, thus shutting from others the very blessings which God had commissioned Israel to give to the world. PK 708.1"
Related principle 90% Malachi 3:8
"Will a man rob God? Yet ye have robbed me. But ye say, Wherein have we robbed thee? In tithes and offerings."
The EGW passage refers to Malachi's message about robbing God in tithes and offerings and connects it to the Israelites' overall obedience and prosperity. While not a direct quote, the thematic link is strong.
"At the same time the Jews were, by their sins, separating themselves from God. They were unable to discern the deep spiritual significance of their symbolic service. In their self-righteousness they trusted to their own works, to the sacrifices and ordinances themselves, instead of relying upon the merits of Him to whom all these things pointed. Thus “going about to establish their own righteousness” ( Romans 10:3 ), they built themselves up in a self-sufficient formalism. Wanting the Spirit and grace of God, they tried to make up for the lack by a rigorous observance of religious ceremonies and rites. Not content with the ordinances which God Himself had appointed, they encumbered the divine commands with countless exactions of their own devising. The greater their distance from God, the more rigorous they were in the observance of these forms. PK 708.2"
Direct citation 99% Romans 10:3
"For they being ignorant of God’s righteousness, and going about to establish their own righteousness, have not submitted themselves unto the righteousness of God."
The EGW passage directly quotes Romans 10:3 and uses it to illustrate the self-righteousness of the Jews, making it a clear and direct allusion.
Related principle 90% Matthew 15:9
"But in vain they do worship me, teaching for doctrines the commandments of men."
Both passages discuss the problem of religious formalism and relying on works rather than genuine faith. EGW's passage directly quotes Romans 10:3, which is related to Matthew 15:9.

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