"“Then shall the dust return to the earth As it was: And the spirit shall return unto God Who gave it.” Ecclesiastes 12:1-7 . PK 82.1"
"Then shall the dust return to the earth as it was: and the spirit shall return unto God who gave it."
EGW directly quotes Ecclesiastes 12:7.
"Remember now thy Creator in the days of thy youth, while the evil days come not, nor the years draw nigh, when thou shalt say, I have no pleasure in them; While the sun, or the light, or the moon, or the stars, be not darkened, nor the clouds return after the rain: In the day when the keepers of the house shall tremble, and the strong men shall bow themselves, and the grinders cease because they are few, and those that look out of the windows be darkened, And the doors shall be shut in the streets, when the sound of the grinding is low, and he shall rise up at the voice of the bird, and all the daughters of musick shall be brought low; Also when they shall be afraid of that which is high, and fears shall be in the way, and the almond tree shall flourish, and the grasshopper shall be a burden, and desire shall fail: because man goeth to his long home, and the mourners go about the streets: Or ever the silver cord be loosed, or the golden bowl be broken, or the pitcher be broken at the fountain, or the wheel broken at the cistern. Then shall the dust return to the earth as it was: and the spirit shall return unto God who gave it."
Ellen White directly references Ecclesiastes 12:1-7 in this passage.
"Not only to the youth, but to those of mature years, and to those who are descending the hill of life and facing the western sun, the life of Solomon is full of warning. We see and hear of unsteadiness in youth, the young wavering between right and wrong, and the current of evil passions proving too strong for them. In those of maturer years, we do not look for this unsteadiness and unfaithfulness; we expect the character to be established, the principles firmly rooted. But this is not always so. When Solomon should have been in character as a sturdy oak, he fell from his steadfastness under the power of temptation. When his strength should have been the firmest, he was found to be the weakest. PK 82.2"
"Wherefore let him that thinketh he standeth take heed lest he fall."
Both passages warn against falling from a state of perceived strength or righteousness. 1 Corinthians 10:12 is a general warning, while the EGW passage uses Solomon's life as an example. The connection is thematic and relevant to the context of the EGW passage.
"From such examples we should learn that in watchfulness and prayer is the only safety for both young and old. Security does not lie in exalted position and great privileges. One may for many years have enjoyed a genuine Christian experience, but he is still exposed to Satan's attacks. In the battle with inward sin and outward temptation, even the wise and powerful Solomon was vanquished. His failure teaches us that, whatever a man's intellectual qualities may be, and however faithfully he may have served God in the past, he can never with safety trust in his own wisdom and integrity. PK 82.3"
"Watch and pray, that ye enter not into temptation: the spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak."
The EGW passage directly echoes the call to watchfulness and prayer found in Matthew 26:41, applying it to the example of Solomon's fall. The connection is clear and intentional.
"Wherefore let him that thinketh he standeth take heed lest he fall."
The EGW passage, using Solomon's fall as an example, warns against overconfidence, which aligns directly with the warning in 1 Corinthians 10:12. The principle is the same: those who think they are strong should be careful lest they fall.
"In every generation and in every land the true foundation and pattern for character building have been the same. The divine law, “Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, ... and thy neighbor as thyself,” the great principle made manifest in the character and life of our Saviour, is the only secure foundation, the only sure guide. Luke 10:27 . “Wisdom and knowledge shall be the stability of thy times, and strength of salvation,” the wisdom and knowledge which God's word alone can impart. Isaiah 33:6 . PK 82.4"
"And he answering said, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy strength, and with all thy mind; and thy neighbour as thyself."
Ellen White directly references Luke 10:27 in this passage.
"And wisdom and knowledge shall be the stability of thy times, and strength of salvation: the fear of the Lord is his treasure."
Ellen White directly references Isaiah 33:6 in this passage.