"It was necessary that this sin should be punished, as a testimony to surrounding nations of God's displeasure against idolatry. By executing justice upon the guilty, Moses, as God's instrument, must leave on record a solemn and public protest against their crime. As the Israelites should hereafter condemn the idolatry of the neighboring tribes, their enemies would throw back upon them the charge that the people who claimed Jehovah as their God had made a calf and worshiped it in Horeb. Then though compelled to acknowledge the disgraceful truth, Israel could point to the terrible fate of the transgressors, as evidence that their sin had not been sanctioned or excused. PP 325.1"
"And all Israel shall hear, and fear, and shall do no more any such wickedness as this is among you."
The EGW passage emphasizes the need to punish idolatry as a testimony to surrounding nations and a warning against future transgressions. This aligns with Deuteronomy 13:11, which states that all Israel shall hear and fear, and do no more such wickedness. Both passages highlight the importance of public consequences as a deterrent.
"Love no less than justice demanded that for this sin judgment should be inflicted. God is the guardian as well as the sovereign of His people. He cuts off those who are determined upon rebellion, that they may not lead others to ruin. In sparing the life of Cain, God had demonstrated to the universe what would be the result of permitting sin to go unpunished. The influence exerted upon his descendants by his life and teaching led to the state of corruption that demanded the destruction of the whole world by a flood. The history of the antediluvians testifies that long life is not a blessing to the sinner; God's great forbearance did not repress their wickedness. The longer men lived, the more corrupt they became. PP 325.2"
"And God saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and that every imagination of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually."
The EGW passage directly references the corruption of the antediluvians and the flood, which is the context of Genesis 6:5. The connection is a clear thematic parallel.
"For he is the minister of God to thee for good. But if thou do that which is evil, be afraid; for he beareth not the sword in vain: for he is the minister of God, a revenger to execute wrath upon him that doeth evil."
Both passages discuss the role of authority in punishing evil. Romans 13:4 speaks of earthly authority, while EGW speaks of God's authority. The connection is thematic, not a direct principle.
So with the apostasy at Sinai. Unless punishment had been speedily visited upon transgression, the same results would again have been seen. The earth would have become as corrupt as in the days of Noah. Had these transgressors been spared, evils would have followed, greater than resulted from sparing the life of Cain. It was the mercy of God that thousands should suffer, to prevent the necessity of visiting judgments upon millions. In order to save the many, He must punish the few. Furthermore, as the people had cast off their allegiance to God, they had forfeited the divine protection, and, deprived of their defense, the whole nation was exposed to the power of their enemies. Had not the evil been promptly put away, they would soon have fallen a prey to their numerous and powerful foes. It was necessary for the good of Israel, and also as a lesson to all succeeding generations, that crime should be promptly punished. And it was no less a mercy to the sinners themselves that they shoul…
"And God said unto Noah, The end of all flesh is come before me; for the earth is filled with violence through them; and, behold, I will destroy them with the earth."
The EGW passage explicitly mentions the earth becoming as corrupt as in the days of Noah, directly linking it to the events described in Genesis 6, including the statement in Genesis 6:13 about God's intention to destroy the earth due to violence.
"And the Lord said unto Moses, Take all the heads of the people, and hang them up before the Lord against the sun, that the fierce anger of the Lord may be turned away from Israel."
Both passages discuss the need for swift and severe punishment to prevent further corruption and judgment. The Numbers passage is a specific example of this principle, while the EGW passage discusses the principle in relation to the golden calf incident.