"Chapter 10—A Knowledge of God Many are the ways in which God is seeking to make Himself known to us and bring us into communion with Him. Nature speaks to our senses without ceasing. The open heart will be impressed with the love and glory of God as revealed through the works of His hands. The listening ear can hear and understand the communications of God through the things of nature. The green fields, the lofty trees, the buds and flowers, the passing cloud, the falling rain, the babbling brook, the glories of the heavens, speak to our hearts, and invite us to become acquainted with Him who made them all. SC 85"
"For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even his eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse:"
Both passages discuss how God's attributes and power are revealed through creation. EGW expands on the specific elements of nature that communicate God's love and glory, echoing the sentiment in Romans 1:20 that the 'invisible things of him' are understood by the things that are made.
"The heavens declare the glory of God; and the firmament sheweth his handywork."
Both passages highlight nature as a means of revealing God's glory. Psalms 19:1 focuses on the heavens, while EGW broadens the scope to include various aspects of nature, but the core idea of nature declaring God's glory is consistent.
"But ask now the beasts, and they shall teach thee; and the fowls of the air, and they shall tell thee: Or speak to the earth, and it shall teach thee: and the fishes of the sea shall declare unto thee. Who knoweth not in all these that the hand of the Lord hath wrought this?"
Both passages suggest that we can learn about God through observing nature. Job 12:7-9 encourages learning from animals and the earth, while EGW describes how various natural elements speak to our hearts and invite us to know God. The underlying principle of learning about God through nature is shared.
"Our Saviour bound up His precious lessons with the things of nature. The trees, the birds, the flowers of the valleys, the hills, the lakes, and the beautiful heavens, as well as the incidents and surroundings of daily life, were all linked with the words of truth, that His lessons might thus be often recalled to mind, even amid the busy cares of man's life of toil. SC 85.2"
"Behold the fowls of the air: for they sow not, neither do they reap, nor gather into barns; yet your heavenly Father feedeth them. Are ye not much better than they?"
The EGW passage echoes the sentiment of Matthew 6:26, emphasizing God's care for creation, specifically mentioning birds. The connection is strong and relevant.
"And why take ye thought for raiment? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow; they toil not, neither do they spin:"
The EGW passage echoes the sentiment of Matthew 6:28, emphasizing God's care for creation, specifically mentioning flowers. The connection is strong and relevant.
"And he taught them many things by parables, and said unto them in his doctrine,"
While Mark 4:2 speaks of teaching by parables, the EGW passage elaborates on the *content* of those parables being drawn from nature. It's a parallel theme, not a direct principle.
"God would have His children appreciate His works and delight in the simple, quiet beauty with which He has adorned our earthly home. He is a lover of the beautiful, and above all that is outwardly attractive He loves beauty of character; He would have us cultivate purity and simplicity, the quiet graces of the flowers. SC 85.3"
"But let it be the hidden man of the heart, in that which is not corruptible, even the ornament of a meek and quiet spirit, which is in the sight of God of great price."
The EGW passage echoes the sentiment of 1 Peter 3:4 regarding inner beauty and a quiet spirit being valued by God. The reference to 'quiet graces' in EGW directly aligns with the 'meek and quiet spirit' in the verse.
"The heavens declare the glory of God; and the firmament sheweth his handywork."
Both passages emphasize God's creation and beauty. EGW speaks of appreciating God's works and the beauty of the earthly home, while Psalm 19:1 highlights the heavens declaring God's glory. The connection is thematic, focusing on God's creative power and its manifestation in beauty.
"If we will but listen, God's created works will teach us precious lessons of obedience and trust. From the stars that in their trackless courses through space follow from age to age their appointed path, down to the minutest atom, the things of nature obey the Creator's will. And God cares for everything and sustains everything that He has created. He who upholds the unnumbered worlds throughout immensity, at the same time cares for the wants of the little brown sparrow that sings its humble song without fear. When men go forth to their daily toil, as when they engage in prayer; when they lie down at night, and when they rise in the morning; when the rich man feasts in his palace, or when the poor man gathers his children about the scanty board, each is tenderly watched by the heavenly Father. No tears are shed that God does not notice. There is no smile that He does not mark. SC 85.4"
"Behold the fowls of the air: for they sow not, neither do they reap, nor gather into barns; yet your heavenly Father feedeth them. Are ye not much better than they?"
Both passages emphasize God's care for creation, from the grand scale of the universe to the smallest creatures, implying that humans are also cared for. The EGW passage amplifies the idea of God's care for even the smallest details, similar to the sparrow mentioned in Matthew.
"Wherefore, if God so clothe the grass of the field, which to day is, and to morrow is cast into the oven, shall he not much more clothe you, O ye of little faith?"
Both passages emphasize God's care for creation, specifically mentioning how God provides for even the smallest creatures. EGW's reference to the sparrow directly echoes the sentiment in Matthew 6:26, and the broader context of God's care for all people aligns with the 'much more clothe you' argument.
"The heavens declare the glory of God; and the firmament sheweth his handywork."
Both passages discuss God's glory being revealed through creation. EGW expands on this theme, drawing lessons of obedience and trust from the natural world, which aligns with the Psalm's declaration.
"He telleth the number of the stars; he calleth them all by their names."
Both passages refer to God's knowledge and care for the stars. While Psalm 147:4 focuses on God's knowledge of the stars, EGW uses the stars as an example of God's care and the obedience of creation, which is a related theme.