"As the people gazed upon the aged man, so soon to be taken from them, they recalled, with a new and deeper appreciation, his parental tenderness, his wise counsels, and his untiring labors. How often, when their sins had invited the just judgments of God, the prayers of Moses had prevailed with Him to spare them! Their grief was heightened by remorse. They bitterly remembered that their own perversity had provoked Moses to the sin for which he must die. PP 470.1"
"And it came to pass on the morrow, that Moses said unto the people, Ye have sinned a great sin: and now I will go up unto the Lord; peradventure I shall make an atonement for your sin."
The EGW passage describes the people's regret and appreciation for Moses' intercession, which is thematically linked to Moses' willingness to atone for their sins as described in Exodus 32:30. The EGW passage amplifies the emotional context surrounding Moses' role as an intercessor.
"And the Lord spake unto Moses and Aaron, Because ye believed me not, to sanctify me in the eyes of the children of Israel, therefore ye shall not bring this congregation into the land which I have given them."
The EGW passage describes the people's remorse over their role in Moses' sin, which is directly linked to the judgment in Numbers 20:12. The connection is thematic, focusing on the consequences of their actions and Moses' sin.
"The removal of their beloved leader would be a far stronger rebuke to Israel than any which they could have received had his life and mission been continued. God would lead them to feel that they were not to make the life of their future leader as trying as they had made that of Moses. God speaks to His people in blessings bestowed; and when these are not appreciated, He speaks to them in blessings removed, that they may be led to see their sins, and return to Him with all the heart. PP 470.2"
"And ye have forgotten the exhortation which speaketh unto you as unto children, My son, despise not thou the chastening of the Lord, nor faint when thou art rebuked of him: For whom the Lord loveth he chasteneth, and scourgeth every son whom he receiveth."
The EGW passage reflects the principle that God uses both blessings and their removal to guide people back to Him, which aligns with the concept of divine chastening in Hebrews 12:5-6. The principle of God using correction to draw people closer is present in both passages.
"For whom the Lord loveth he chasteneth, and scourgeth every son whom he receiveth."
The EGW passage directly applies the principle of God using both blessings and their removal to teach and correct His people, which aligns with the sentiment in Hebrews 12:6 about chastening those He loves.
"minister to him in his last hours. There was a mystery and awfulness about the scene before him, from which his heart shrank. The severest trial was his separation from the people of his care and love—the people with whom his interest and his life had so long been united. But he had learned to trust in God, and with unquestioning faith he committed himself and his people to His love and mercy. PP 470.3"
"But I trusted in thee, O Lord: I said, Thou art my God."
Both passages express trust in God during a difficult and uncertain time. Moses' separation from his people and commitment to God's love and mercy echoes the sentiment of trusting in God as expressed in Psalm 31:14.