"God does not mean that any of us should become hermits or monks and retire from the world in order to devote ourselves to acts of worship. The life must be like Christ's life—between the mountain and the multitude. He who does nothing but pray will soon cease to pray, or his prayers will become a formal routine. When men take themselves out of social life, away from the sphere of Christian duty and cross bearing; when they cease to work earnestly for the Master, who worked earnestly for them, they lose the subject matter of prayer and have no incentive to devotion. Their prayers become personal and selfish. They cannot pray in regard to the wants of humanity or the upbuilding of Christ's kingdom, pleading for strength wherewith to work. SC 101.1"
"And in the morning, rising up a great while before day, he went out, and departed into a solitary place, and there prayed."
EGW contrasts the life of a hermit with Christ's life 'between the mountain and the multitude,' arguing against withdrawing from the world. Mark 1:35 shows Jesus going to a solitary place to pray, but it doesn't suggest a complete withdrawal from society. EGW uses this as a contrast to the extreme of becoming a hermit. The connection is thematic, highlighting the balance between prayer and active service.
"And it came to pass in those days, that he went out into a mountain to pray, and continued all night in prayer to God."
EGW contrasts the life of a hermit with Christ's life 'between the mountain and the multitude,' arguing against withdrawing from the world. Luke 6:12 shows Jesus going to a mountain to pray. EGW uses this as a contrast to the extreme of becoming a hermit. The connection is thematic, highlighting the balance between prayer and active service.
"We sustain a loss when we neglect the privilege of associating together to strengthen and encourage one another in the service of God. The truths of His word lose their vividness and importance in our minds. Our hearts cease to be enlightened and aroused by their sanctifying influence, and we decline in spirituality. In our association as Christians we lose much by lack of sympathy with one another. He who shuts himself up to himself is not filling the position that God designed he should. The proper cultivation of the social elements in our nature brings us into sympathy with others and is a means of development and strength to us in the service of God. SC 101.2"
"Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching."
The EGW passage directly echoes the sentiment of Hebrews 10:25 regarding the importance of assembling together and encouraging one another. The connection is clear and meaningful.
"Through desire a man, having separated himself, seeketh and intermeddleth with all wisdom."
This is a duplicate of pair 2, and the reasoning is the same. Both passages address the negative consequences of isolating oneself. Proverbs 18:1 speaks of seeking wisdom in isolation, which can be interpreted negatively, while the EGW passage speaks of the loss of spiritual strength and sympathy when one isolates oneself.
"Iron sharpeneth iron; so a man sharpeneth the countenance of his friend."
Both passages highlight the benefit of fellowship and mutual encouragement. Proverbs 27:17 uses the analogy of iron sharpening iron, while EGW speaks of strengthening and encouraging one another. The connection is thematic and relevant.
"If Christians would associate together, speaking to each other of the love of God and of the precious truths of redemption, their own hearts would be refreshed and they would refresh one another. We may be daily learning more of our heavenly Father, gaining a fresh experience of His grace; then we shall desire to speak of His love; and as we do this, our own hearts will be warmed and encouraged. If we thought and talked more of Jesus, and less of self, we should have far more of His presence. SC 101.3"
"Then they that feared the Lord spake often one to another: and the Lord hearkened, and heard it, and a book of remembrance was written before him for them that feared the Lord, and that thought upon his name."
Both passages emphasize the importance of believers speaking to one another about God and the positive effect this has on their relationship with Him. Malachi provides the biblical basis for this practice, and EGW expands on its benefits.