"The minds of the people, blinded and debased by slavery and heathenism, were not prepared to appreciate fully the far-reaching principles of God's ten precepts. That the obligations of the Decalogue might be more fully understood and enforced, additional precepts were given, illustrating and applying the principles of the Ten Commandments. These laws were called judgments, both because they were framed in infinite wisdom and equity and because the magistrates were to give judgment according to them. Unlike the Ten Commandments, they were delivered privately to Moses, who was to communicate them to the people. PP 310.1"
"And Moses came and told the people all the words of the Lord, and all the judgments: and all the people answered with one voice, and said, All the words which the Lord hath said will we do."
The EGW passage discusses the 'judgments' given to Moses alongside the Ten Commandments, which are then communicated to the people. This aligns thematically with Exodus 24:3, where Moses relays 'all the words of the Lord, and all the judgments' to the people. While not a direct quote, the subject matter and context are closely related.
"the judges; in some cases, debtors were sold by their creditors; and poverty even led persons to sell themselves or their children. But a Hebrew could not be sold as a slave for life. His term of service was limited to six years; on the seventh he was to be set at liberty. Manstealing, deliberate murder, and rebellion against parental authority were to be punished with death. The holding of slaves not of Israelitish birth was permitted, but their life and person were strictly guarded. The murderer of a slave was to be punished; an injury inflicted upon one by his master, though no more than the loss of a tooth, entitled him to his freedom. PP 310.2"
"If thou buy an Hebrew servant, six years he shall serve: and in the seventh he shall go out free for nothing."
The EGW passage directly references and explains the principle outlined in Exodus 21:2 regarding the release of Hebrew servants after six years of service. It provides further context and details about the laws concerning servitude.
"The Israelites had lately been servants themselves, and now that they were to have servants under them, they were to beware of indulging the spirit of cruelty and exaction from which they had suffered under their Egyptian taskmasters. The memory of their own bitter servitude should enable them to put themselves in the servant's place, leading them to be kind and compassionate, to deal with others as they would wish to be dealt with. PP 310.3"
"Thou shalt not rule over him with rigour; but shalt fear thy God."
The EGW passage emphasizes the importance of treating servants with kindness and compassion, drawing on the Israelites' own experience of servitude in Egypt. This aligns thematically with Leviticus 25:43, which commands against ruling over servants with rigor. The EGW passage expands on the underlying principle of empathy and fair treatment.
"The rights of widows and orphans were especially guarded, and a tender regard for their helpless condition was enjoined. “If thou afflict them in any wise,” the Lord declared, “and they cry at all unto Me, I will surely hear their cry; and My wrath shall wax hot, and I will kill you with the sword; and your wives shall be widows, and your children fatherless.” Aliens who united themselves with Israel were to be protected from wrong or oppression. “Thou shalt not oppress a stranger: for ye know the heart of a stranger, seeing ye were strangers in the land of Egypt.” PP 310.4"
"Ye shall not afflict any widow, or fatherless child. If thou afflict them in any wise, and they cry at all unto me, I will surely hear their cry; And my wrath shall wax hot, and I will kill you with the sword; and your wives shall be widows, and your children fatherless."
EGW directly quotes Exodus 22:22-24.
"Thou shalt neither vex a stranger, nor oppress him: for ye were strangers in the land of Egypt."
EGW directly quotes Exodus 22:21.