EGW Writings2 Chronicles 20

From Splendor to Shadow

Armies That Threaten to Destroy Judah

SS 104.2

Toward the close of Jehoshaphat’s reign Judah was invaded. “The children of Moab, and the children of Ammon ... came against Jehoshaphat to battle.” Tidings of this invasion reached the king through a messenger, who appeared with the startling word, “There cometh a great multitude against thee from beyond the sea on this side Syria.” 2 Chronicles 20:1, 2.

SS 105.1

“And now, behold, the children of Ammon and Moab and Mount Seir, whom Thou wouldest not let Israel invade, when they came out of the land of Egypt, ... and destroyed them not; behold, I say, how they reward us, to come to cast us out of Thy possession, which Thou hast given us to inherit ... . We have no might against this great company that cometh against us; neither know we what to do: but our eyes are upon Thee.” Verses 3, 4, 6, 7, 10-12.

SS 105.2

For years Jehoshaphat had taught the people to trust in the One who had so often saved His chosen ones from destruction; and now he did not stand alone: “All Judah stood before the Lord, with their little ones, their wives, and their children.” Verse 13. Unitedly they besought the Lord to put their enemies to confusion:

SS 105.3

As the people joined with their king in humbling themselves before God, the Spirit of the Lord came upon Jahaziel, a Levite, and he said: “Thus saith the Lord unto you, Be not afraid nor dismayed by reason of this great multitude; for the battle is not yours, but God’s ... . Ye shall not need to fight in this battle: set yourselves, stand ye still, and see the salvation of the Lord with you, O Judah and Jerusalem: fear not, nor be dismayed; tomorrow go out against them: for the Lord will be with you.” 2 Chronicles 20:15-17.

Education

Chapter 17—Poetry and Song

Ed 163.1

It was with songs of praise that the armies of Israel went forth to the great deliverance under Jehoshaphat. To Jehoshaphat had come the tidings of threatened war. “There cometh a great multitude against thee,” was the message, “the children of Moab, and the children of Ammon, and with them other beside.” “And Jehoshaphat feared, and set himself to seek the Lord, and proclaimed a fast throughout all Judah. And Judah gathered themselves together, to ask help of the Lord: even out of all the cities of Judah they came to seek the Lord.” And Jehoshaphat, standing in the temple court before his people, poured out his soul in prayer, pleading God’s promise, with confession of Israel’s helplessness. “We have no might against this great company that cometh against us,” he said: “neither know we what to do: but our eyes are upon Thee.” 2 Chronicles 20:2, 1, 3, 4, 12.

Ed 163.2

Then upon Jahaziel a Levite “came the Spirit of the Lord; ... and he said, Hearken ye, all Judah, and ye inhabitants of Jerusalem, and thou King Jehoshaphat, Thus saith the Lord unto you, Be not afraid nor dismayed by reason of this great multitude; for the battle is not yours, but God’s.... Ye shall not need to fight in this battle: set yourselves, stand ye still, and see the salvation of the Lord.... Fear not, nor be dismayed; tomorrow go out against them: for the Lord will be with you.” 2 Chronicles 20:14-17.

Ed 163.3

“And they rose early in the morning, and went forth into the wilderness of Tekoa.” 2 Chronicles 20:20. Before the army went singers, lifting their voices in praise to God—praising Him for the victory promised.

Prophets and Kings

Chapter 15—Jehoshaphat

PK 198.3

Toward the close of Jehoshaphat’s reign the kingdom of Judah was invaded by an army before whose approach the inhabitants of the land had reason to tremble. “The children of Moab, and the children of Ammon, and with them other beside the Ammonites, came against Jehoshaphat to battle.” Tidings of this invasion reached the king through a messenger, who appeared with the startling word, “There cometh a great multitude against thee from beyond the sea on this side Syria: and, behold, they be in Hazazon-tamar, which is Engedi.” 2 Chronicles 20:1, 2.

PK 199.3

“And now, behold, the children of Ammon and Moab and Mount Seir, whom Thou wouldest not let Israel invade, when they came out of the land of Egypt, but they turned from them, and destroyed them not; behold, I say, how they reward us, to come to cast us out of Thy possession, which Thou hast given us to inherit. O our God, wilt Thou not judge them? for we have no might against this great company that cometh against us; neither know we what to do: but our eyes are upon Thee.” Verses 3-12.

PK 200.1

With confidence Jehoshaphat could say to the Lord, “Our eyes are upon thee.” For years he had taught the people to trust in the One who in past ages had so often interposed to save His chosen ones from utter destruction; and now, when the kingdom was in peril, Jehoshaphat did not stand alone; “all Judah stood before the Lord, with their little ones, their wives, and their children.” Verse 13. Unitedly they fasted and prayed; unitedly they besought the Lord to put their enemies to confusion, that the name of Jehovah might be glorified.

PK 201.4

Early in the morning they rose and went into the wilderness of Tekoa. As they advanced to the battle, Jehoshaphat said, “Hear me, O Judah, and ye inhabitants of Jerusalem; Believe in the Lord your God, so shall ye be established: believe His prophets, so shall ye prosper.” “And when he had consulted with the people, he appointed singers unto the Lord, and that should praise the beauty of holiness.” 2 Chronicles 20:14-21. These singers went before the army, lifting their voices in praise to God for the promise of victory.

PK 202.3

“And when Judah came toward the watchtower in the wilderness, they looked unto the multitude, and, behold, they were dead bodies fallen to the earth, and none escaped.” Verses 22-24.

PK 203.1

Laden with spoil, the armies of Judah returned “with joy; for the Lord had made them to rejoice over their enemies. And they came to Jerusalem with psalteries and harps and trumpets unto the house of the Lord.” 2 Chronicles 20:27, 28. Great was their cause for rejoicing. In obedience to the command, “Stand ye still, and see the salvation of the Lord: ... fear not, nor be dismayed,” they had put their trust wholly in God, and He had proved to be their fortress and their deliverer. Verse 17. Now they could sing with understanding the inspired hymns of David:

PK 203.5

Through the faith of Judah’s ruler and of his armies “the fear of God was on all the kingdoms of those countries, when they had heard that the Lord fought against the enemies of Israel. So the realm of Jehoshaphat was quiet: for his God gave him rest.” 2 Chronicles 20:29, 30.

Conflict and Courage

The Battle Is the Lord’s, July 30

CC 217.1

O our God, wilt thou not judge them? for we have no might against this great company that cometh against us; neither know we what to do: but our eyes are upon thee. 2 Chronicles 20:12.

CC 217.2

Toward the close of Jehoshaphat’s reign the kingdom of Judah was invaded by an army before whose approach the inhabitants of the land had reason to tremble.... Jehoshaphat was a man of courage and valor. For years he had been strengthening his armies and his fortified cities. He was well prepared to meet almost any foe; yet in this crisis he put not his trust in the arm of flesh. Not by disciplined armies and fenced cities, but by a living faith in the God of Israel, could he hope to gain the victory over these heathen who boasted of their power to humble Judah in the eyes of the nations.

CC 217.3

“Jehoshaphat feared, and set himself to seek the Lord, and proclaimed a fast throughout all Judah. And Judah gathered themselves together, to ask help of the Lord: even out of all the cities of Judah they came to seek the Lord.” Standing in the temple court before his people, Jehoshaphat poured out his soul in prayer, pleading God’s promises, with confession of Israel’s helplessness....

CC 217.4

With confidence Jehoshaphat could say to the Lord, “Our eyes are upon Thee.” For years he had taught the people to trust in the One who in past ages had so often interposed to save His chosen ones from utter destruction; and now, when the kingdom was in peril, Jehoshaphat did not stand alone; “all Judah stood before the Lord, with their little ones, their wives, and their children.” Unitedly they fasted and prayed; unitedly they besought the Lord to put their enemies to confusion, that the name of Jehovah might be glorified....

CC 217.5

God was the strength of Judah in this crisis, and He is the strength of His people today. We are not to trust in princes, or to set men in the place of God. We are to remember that human beings are fallible and erring, and that He who has all power is our strong tower of defense. In every emergency we are to feel that the battle is His. His resources are limitless, and apparent impossibilities will make the victory all the greater.52Ibid., 198-202.

Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 19 (1904)

Ms 80, 1904

19LtMs, Ms 80, 1904, par. 49

“And Jehoshaphat stood in the congregation of Judah and Jerusalem, in the house of the Lord, before the new court, and said, O Lord God of our fathers, art not Thou God in heaven? and rulest not Thou over the kingdoms of the heathen? and in Thine hand is there not power and might, so that there is none able to withstand Thee? ... And now, behold, the children of Ammon and Moab and mount Seir, whom Thou wouldst not let Israel invade, when they came out of the land of Egypt, but they turned from them, and destroyed them not; behold, I say, how they reward us, to come to cast us out of Thy possession, which Thou hast given us to inherit. O Lord, our God, wilt Thou not judge them; for we have no might against this great company that cometh against us; neither know we what to do, but our eyes are upon Thee.” [2 Chronicles 20:1-6, 10-12.]

19LtMs, Ms 80, 1904, par. 51

“And Jehoshaphat bowed his head with his face to the ground; and all Judah and the inhabitants of Jerusalem fell before the Lord, worshiping the Lord.” [Verses 15-18.]

19LtMs, Ms 80, 1904, par. 54

“And when they began to sing and to praise, the Lord set ambushments against the children of Ammon, Moab, and mount Seir [which were come against Judah; and they were smitten. For the children of Ammon and Moab stood up against the inhabitants of mount Seir], utterly to slay and destroy them; and when they had made an end of the inhabitants of Seir, every one helped to destroy another. And when Judah came toward the watchtower in the wilderness, they looked unto the multitude, and behold, they were dead bodies fallen to the earth, and none escaped.” [Verses 20-24.] “And they returned every man of Judah and Jerusalem, and Jehoshaphat in the forefront of them, to go again to Jerusalem with joy; for the Lord had made them to rejoice over their enemies. And they came to Jerusalem with psalteries and harps and trumpets unto the house of the Lord. And the fear of the Lord was on all the kingdoms of those countries, when they had heard that the Lord fought against the enemies of Israel.

19LtMs, Ms 80, 1904, par. 55

“So the realm of Jehoshaphat was quiet; for his God gave him rest round about.” [Verses 27-30.]

Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 11 (1896)

Lt 53, 1896

11LtMs, Lt 53, 1896, par. 3

“Jehoshaphat stood and said, Hear me, O Judah, and ye inhabitants of Jerusalem; Believe in the Lord your God, so shall ye be established; believe his prophets, so shall ye prosper. And when he had consulted with the people, he appointed singers unto the Lord, and that should praise the beauty of holiness, as they went out before the army, and to say, praise the Lord; for his mercy endureth forever.” [2 Chronicles 20:20, 21.]

11LtMs, Lt 53, 1896, par. 4

These are the words of God. If there was much more praising the Lord, and far less doleful recitations of discouragements, many more victories would be achieved. These words are for our encouragement. We are not to talk darkness and doubt. This was a singular way of going to battle against the enemy’s army—praising the Lord with singing, and exalting the Lord God of Israel. This was their battle song. They praised the beauty of holiness. Do you not think that if more of this was done now, hope and courage and faith would be strengthened? Would not this strengthen the hands of the valiant soldiers who today are standing in defense of truth? Would not the voice uttering the praises of God uplift? The inspiration of the Holy Spirit proceeding from God leads us to say, “Praise ye the Lord; for his mercy endureth forever.” [Verse 21.]

11LtMs, Lt 53, 1896, par. 5

“And Jehoshaphat feared, and set himself to seek the Lord.” Then what shall we do when brought into strait places, when the warfare shall become decided, as it now is in many places, to oppress the people of God? Shall we not seek the Lord most earnestly? Should there not be unity of purpose, our prayers going forth from unfeigned lips? “And Judah gathered themselves together, to ask help of the Lord; even out of all the cities of Judah they came to seek the Lord.” [Verses 3, 4.] Read the prayer of Jehoshaphat. The entire chapter is one we need to study. In this chapter there is light and courage. But there are no words of encouragement to those who are unbelieving and refuse the message of God for His people.

11LtMs, Lt 53, 1896, par. 6

“Hear me, O Judah, and ye inhabitants of Jerusalem; Believe in the Lord your God, so shall ye be established; believe his prophets; so shall ye prosper.” [Verse 20.] There is no time now to refuse to hear the messages of warning and encouragement which God sends to His servants. There is no time now to sow the seeds of doubt and criticism, and [to] murmur and complain. We must encourage faith, having full and entire trust in God. In the place of complaining, praise God, the beauty of holiness, and say, Praise God; for His mercy endureth for ever.

11LtMs, Lt 53, 1896, par. 8

In the name of the Lord I bear you a message. In the place of sullen unbelief, in the place of weakening the faith of others by leavening them with unbelief, let the words of the king Jehoshaphat be heard as if spoken to you. “Believe in the Lord your God, so shall ye be established; believe his prophets, so shall ye prosper.” [Verse 20.] Praise the beauty of holiness, as you meet opposition and falsehood and error of every stripe and type, let not lying reports find a lodgment in [the] minds of those who have the precious light of truth. Lift up your hearts in thanksgiving. Praise the Lord; for His mercy endureth for ever.

Special Instruction Relating to The Review and Herald Office, and The Work in Battle Creek

An Earnest Admonition

PH080 33.1

God expects his workers to be tender-hearted. How merciful are the ways of God! (See Deuteronomy 10:17-20; 2 Chronicles 20:5-7, 9; 1 Peter 1:17.) But the rules God has given have been disregarded, and strange fire has been offered before the Lord. The spirit of domination is extending to the presidents of our conferences. But if a man is sanguine of his own powers, and seeks to exercise dominion over his brethren, feeling that he is invested with authority to make his will the ruling power, the best and only safe course is to remove him, lest great harm be done, and he lose his own soul, and imperil the souls of others. “All ye are brethren.” Those in authority should manifest the spirit of Christ. They should deal as he would deal with every case that requires attention. They should go weighted with the Holy Spirit.

The Publishing Ministry

Chapter 12—Not Kingly, but Christlike Leadership

PM 139.2

He [God] expects His workers to be tenderhearted. How merciful are the ways of God! (See Deuteronomy 10:17-20; 2 Chronicles 20:5-7, 9; 1 Peter 1:17.) But the rules God has given have been disregarded, and strange fire has been offered before the Lord....

The Ellen G. White 1888 Materials

Chapter 170—To O. A. Olsen

1888 1438.3

While they have been very ready to accept benefit for themselves, they seek to wrest every advantage from their brethren, and say, it is for the cause. What is the cause? God demands an altogether different record. He expects his workers to be tender-hearted. How merciful are the ways of God. (See Deuteronomy 10:17-20; 2 Chronicles 20:5-7, 9; 1 Peter 1:17.) The rules that God has given have been disregarded, and strange fire has been offered before the Lord.

Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 10 (1895)

Lt 54, 1895

10LtMs, Lt 54, 1895, par. 22

God expects His workers to be tender-hearted. How merciful are the ways of God. See Deuteronomy 10:17-20; 2 Chronicles 20:5-7, 9; 1 Peter 1:17. But the rules God has given have been disregarded, and strange fire has been offered before the Lord. The spirit of domination is extending to the presidents of our conferences. But if a man is sanguine of his own powers, and seeks to exercise dominion over his brethren, feeling that he is invested with authority to make his will the ruling power, the best and only safe course is to remove him, lest great harm be done, and he lose his own soul, and imperil the souls of others. “All ye are brethren.” [Matthew 23:8.] Those in authority should manifest the spirit of Christ. They should deal as He would deal with every case that requires attention. They should go weighted with the Holy Spirit.

Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 10 (1895)

Lt 55, 1895

10LtMs, Lt 55, 1895, par. 34

While they have been very ready to accept benefits for themselves, they seek to wrest every advantage from their brethren, and say that it is for the cause. What is the cause? God demands an altogether different record. He expects His workers to be tender-hearted. How merciful are the ways of God. See Deuteronomy 10:17-20; 2 Chronicles 20:5-7, 9; 1 Peter 1:17. The rules that God has given have been disregarded, and strange fire has been offered before the Lord.

The Great Controversy (1888 ed.)

General Notes

GC88 684.4

Jehoshaphat’s prayer gives the true idea of the relation of that land to the sanctuary: “Art not thou our God, who didst drive out the inhabitants of this land before thy people Israel, and gavest it to the seed of Abraham thy friend forever? And they dwelt therein, and have built thee a sanctuary therein for thy name.” 2 Chronicles 20:7, 8. This corresponds to the command in Exodus 25:8: “And let them make me a sanctuary; that I may dwell among them.” In this same book is given a minute description of the sanctuary, its erection, and approval by the Lord. The process of cleansing the sanctuary is described in Leviticus 16. While the children of Israel possessed Canaan, Solomon built a temple, in which was a holy and a most holy place; and the vessels of the movable sanctuary, which was made in the desert of Sinai, were transferred to the temple. This was then the sanctuary,—the dwelling-place of God’s glory upon the earth.

The Spirit of Prophecy, vol. 4

Appendix

4SP 498.6

Jehoshaphat’s prayer gives the true idea of the relation of that land to the sanctuary: “Art not thou our God, who didst drive out the inhabitants of this land before thy people Israel, and gavest it to the seed of Abraham thy friend forever? And they dwelt therein, and have built thee a sanctuary therein for thy name.” 2 Chronicles 20:7, 8. This corresponds to the order in Exodus 25:8: “And let them make me a sanctuary; that I may dwell among them.” In this same book is given a minute description of the sanctuary, its erection, and approval by the Lord. The process of cleansing the sanctuary is described in Leviticus 16. When the children of Israel possessed Canaan, Solomon built a temple, in which was a holy and a most holy place, and the vessels of the movable sanctuary, which was made in the desert of Arabia, were transferred to the temple. This was then the sanctuary,—the dwelling-place of God’s glory upon the earth. Even a partial knowledge of the teachings of the scriptures on this subject will justify all that the author has said in reference to it in pages 260-67.

The Faith I Live By

Our Eyes Fixed on Christ, July 22

FLB 209.1

O our God, wilt thou not judge them? for we have no might against this great company that cometh against us; neither know we what to do: but our eyes are upon thee. 2 Chronicles 20:12.

Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 13 (1898)

Ms 183, 1898

13LtMs, Ms 183, 1898, par. 57

I want that the Holy Spirit shall mold me and work me. Cases are continually arising, and we dare hardly make a suggestion, fearing it is our own mind and judgment. “Neither know we what to do: but our eyes are upon thee.” 2 Chronicles 20:12. When I can thus cast myself at the feet of Jesus in contrition of soul, then I believe, and rest in the One who is back of the promise, “I will guide thee with mine eye.” Psalm 32:8.

Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 10 (1895)

Lt 19, 1895

10LtMs, Lt 19, 1895, par. 20

Your probationary time is too precious to be spent in weeping and in sitting in sackcloth. Your future is in the hands of Him who created the earth. God will lead you if you will be led. In olden times one who was placed in circumstances of peril, against whom the host of enemies were encamped, said, “We have no might against this great multitude, neither know we what to do; but our eyes are upon thee.” [2 Chronicles 20:12.] The Lord said, “Hearken thee, all Judah, and ye inhabitants of Jerusalem and thou king Jehoshaphat, Thus saith the Lord unto you, Be not afraid, nor dismayed by reason of this great multitude; for the battle is not yours, but God’s. ...

10LtMs, Lt 19, 1895, par. 22

“Jehoshaphat stood and said, Hear me, O Judah, and ye inhabitants of Jerusalem; believe in the Lord your God, so shall ye be established; believe his prophets; so shall ye prosper. And when he had consulted with the people, he appointed singers unto the Lord, and that should praise the beauty of holiness, as they went out before the army, and to say, Praise the Lord; for his mercy endureth forever. And when they began to sing and to praise, the Lord set ambushments against the children of Ammon, ... and they were smitten.” [Verses 15, 17-22.] There is a lesson in this for you. Place your dependence upon God, and praise Him, and He will bring you deliverance.

The Voice in Speech and Song

Chapter 71—Singing in Israel’s Experience

VSS 452.3

Early in the morning they rose and went into the wilderness of Tekoa. As they advanced to the battle, Jehoshaphat said, “Hear me, O Judah, and ye inhabitants of Jerusalem; Believe in the Lord your God, so shall ye be established; believe His prophets, so shall ye prosper.” “And when he had consulted with the people, he appointed singers unto the Lord, and that should praise the beauty of holiness.” 2 Chronicles 20:14-21. These singers went before the army, lifting their voices in praise to God for the promise of victory.

Sons and Daughters of God

Truth Will Triumph, September 28

SD 278.1

Thus saith the Lord unto you, Be not afraid nor dismayed by reason of this great multitude; for the battle is not yours, but God’s. 2 Chronicles 20:15.

The Review and Herald

May 10, 1887

RH May 10, 1887, par. 5

Now we are not warring against flesh and blood, but against principalities and powers and spiritual wickedness in high places. The Lord would encourage us to look to him as the source of all our strength, the one who is able to help us. We may look to men, and they will give us counsel, and yet this may be defeated; but when the God of Israel undertakes work for us, he will make it a success. We want to know that we are right before God; if we are not right before him, then we want to make an earnest effort to come in right relation to him. We must individually do something ourselves. We are not to risk our eternal interest upon guess-work. We must set everything right; we must follow out the requirements of God, and then expect God to work with our efforts. 2 Chronicles 20:15. God works in us by the light of his truth. We are to be obedient to all his commandments.

The Upward Look

Go Forward, April 29

UL 133.1

Ye shall not need to fight in this battle: set yourselves, stand ye still, and see the salvation of the Lord with you, O Judah and Jerusalem: fear not, nor be dismayed; tomorrow go out against them: for the Lord will be with you. 2 Chronicles 20:17.

Counsels for the Church

Practical Test of a Good Prophet

CCh 32.1

“Believe in the Lord your God, so shall ye be established; believe his prophets, so shall ye prosper.” 2 Chronicles 20:20.

My Life Today

Believe and Prosper, February 7

ML 42.1

Believe in the Lord your God, so shall ye be established; believe his prophets, so shall ye prosper. 2 Chronicles 20:20.

Loma Linda Messages

Established Prosperity

LLM 33.1

“Believe in the Lord your God, so shall ye be established; believe his prophets, so shall ye prosper.”

LLM 33.2

Isaiah 8:20. “To the law and to the testimony; if they speak not according to this word, it is because there is no light in them.”

LLM 33.3

Two texts are here set before God’s people: two conditions for success. The law spoken by Jehovah himself, and the spirit of prophecy, are the two sources of wisdom to guide His people in every experience. Deuteronomy 4:6. “This is your wisdom and your understanding in the sight of the nations, who shall say, Surely this great nation is a wise and understanding people.”

LLM 33.4

The law of God and the Spirit of Prophecy go hand in hand to guide and counsel the church, and whenever the church has recognized this by obeying His law, the spirit of prophecy has been sent to guide her in the way of truth.

LLM 33.5

Revelation 12:17. “And the dragon was wroth with the woman, and went to make war with the remnant of her seed, which keep the commandments of God, and have the testimony of Jesus Christ.” This prophecy points out clearly that the remnant church will acknowledge God in His law and will have the prophetic gift. Obedience to the law of God, and the spirit of prophecy has always distinguished the true people of God, and the test is usually given on present manifestations.

LLM 33.6

In Jeremiah’s day the people had no question about the message of Moses, Elijah, or Elisha, but they did question and put aside the message sent of God to Jeremiah until its force and power was wasted and there was no remedy but for God to carry them away into captivity.

LLM 33.7

Likewise in the days of Christ the people had learned that Jeremiah’s message was true, and they persuaded themselves to believe that if they had lived in the days of their fathers they would have accepted his message, but at the same time they were rejecting Christ’s message, of whom all the prophets had written.

LLM 33.8

As the third angel’s message arose in the world, which is to reveal the law of God to the church in its fullness and power, the prophetic gift was also immediately restored. This gift has acted a very prominent part in the development and carrying forward of this message.

LLM 34.1

As differences of opinion have arisen in reference to interpretations of Scriptures and methods of labor, calculated to unsettle the faith of believers in the message and lead to disunion in the work, the spirit of prophecy has always thrown light on the situation. It has always brought union of thought and harmony of action to the body of believers. In every crisis that has arisen in the development of the message and the growth of the work, those who have stood firmly by the law of God and the light of the Spirit of prophecy have triumphed and the work has prospered in their hands.

LLM 34.2

The question naturally arises: Whence comes this wisdom revealed through this gift, which is more than the combined wisdom of all the church besides?

LLM 34.3

As the message developed and grew, it was this gift that urged the extension of the work, and from that day to this has done more than all other influences combined to push the message into the regions beyond. In every development of the message—evangelical, education, medical, and publishing, the spirit of prophecy has not only led the way, but given light on how to conduct these different departments in such a way as to bring success in the spread of the message.

LLM 34.4

Again and again as the wisdom of men has failed and the work became hedged about or tangled up in any of its departments, the wisdom of this gift has always been shown in setting it free. The clear-cut missionary policy laid out for all departments of this great work by the spirit of prophecy in contrast with the mercenary policy oft times worked into it by men to whom the care and keeping of the message has been entrusted, shows that the wisdom of this gift is from above.

LLM 34.5

When our educational work, under the fostering care of this gift, first developed the Battle Creek College, it was a power for good in fitting men and women to carry this message to the world. Many of those now bearing responsibility in the cause received their early training at that place. The same is true of the early days of Healdsburg College, which was fostered and molded by the same gift. But a change came over all our educational work. The wisdom of men molded it after the wisdom of the world until the schools, instead of sending forth laborers into the missionary fields, were turning the minds of the young to worldly avocations, many of who were losing their love for the truth.

LLM 34.6

Whence came the wisdom to correct this wrong and turn our schools again into the pathway of life? Who is responsible for the great wave of Christian education that has molded the entire denomination and multiplied our Christian schools by the score, enabling them to send forth hundreds of young people as missionaries into the home and foreign fields? Shall we not learn to esteem more highly, and follow more closely a gift that can bring such blessing and prosperity to the cause of God?

LLM 35.1

At the beginning of this message believers were few and widely scattered. There was no definite organization for the direction of the work, but as believers came into the truth (53) and companies were formed, it was manifest that some organization was necessary. But strange as it may seem, the wisdom of man led them to oppose all organization. Again light was shed upon the perplexing situation by the spirit of prophecy, which resulted in a simple form of organization for the protection and furtherance of the work; and peace, harmony, and prosperity came out of confusion. This same form of organization continued until the wisdom of men, to whom the care of the organization had been committed, began to plan for a centralizing power at the head of the work, which resulted in retarding rather than fostering it. Missionaries in the field felt their hands were tied, and mission fields were languishing, and the resources were drying up. Where was the wisdom of men in this perplexity?

LLM 35.2

Again the spirit of prophecy shed light upon the situation, pointing out the difficulty and the remedy. As the light has been followed, relief has come, the message has gone with leaps and bounds, and the resources have increased wonderfully. The great need of the hour is consecrated men and women whose faith and experience has grown strong in grappling with difficulty and in undertaking great things for the cause of God.

LLM 35.3

The object and aim of every organization and institution connected with third angel’s message is missionary, and when it fails in this, its usefulness is gone.

LLM 35.4

The publishing work, like every other department of the message, was started under the light and fostering care of the spirit of prophecy. Its aim was missionary, to disseminate the light of present truth. But as the work enlarged and the publishing work was committed to the wisdom of men, it grew into a great commercial machine that was working more for the world than for the spread of the message. Men conceived the idea of centralizing our publishing work under one great (54) combine to be ruled by the great men at the head of the work. High wages were paid, and the missionary spirit left the work as the spirit of the world came in. The spirit of prophecy called for a change of plans in our publishing work, it called for a distribution of the abundant facilities established at Battle Creek to assist plants in more needy fields, but called in vain. The wisdom of men, which was the wisdom of the world, could see no light in distributing. There seemed to be no remedy for God to correct the evils in this department of His work but to let His judgments fall upon the institution. From a communication written from Australia, I quote the following:—

LLM 36.1

“The God of Heaven has been dishonored. You have found a place to invest means in various enterprises as though it were a virtue to leave my work in other lands to struggle in poverty and nakedness. You have not shared your abundant facilities as you might have done, even (though) the sacrifice required might appear large to you. Nothing that earth has given is of sufficient value to recompense the travail and burden of soul, the agonizing of mind that has been felt in seeing the people working at cross-purposes with God, hindering the work, and making it necessary for God to withdraw His prospering hand from the publishing association and from the conference.”

LLM 36.2

Had the light given this department been followed, how different might the results have been today! Note the result when men did turn to follow the light. The prosperity of God has been seen all through our publishing work. Instead of today running them simply for commercial ends, every publishing house is crowded to its utmost capacity, publishing the truth, and more than fifty thousand copies of books are being published in outside printing houses because our own (55) publishing houses cannot turn them out fast enough. The canvassing work is renewed, and hundreds of young people from our schools are carrying the pages of truth to the homes of the people. Such has always been the prosperity of God’s people as they have believed his prophets.

LLM 36.3

All who are acquainted at all with the medical work know that it was the testimonies that first turned the attention of this people to the importance of establishing medical institutions, and as the years have come and gone, the same gift has led out in establishing sanitariums and medical missionary enterprises all over the world.

LLM 36.4

Wonderful light has been given in every detail of the various departments, and as the light has been followed, success has attended the work. The policy outlined for this branch of the cause, like every other, has been missionary, educational, and evangelical. And when our medical work was in danger of being swayed into wrong lines, message after message was sent to the head of the work to save it from ruin. A centralizing power had also entered the medical work, which was seeking to gain control, the sanitarium was losing sight of the regions beyond, the real object of this department of the message. In this case communication from Australia from (Sister White came) I quote further:—

LLM 36.5

“Then the test came upon the sanitarium. God has given them prosperity, not to be a means of self-exaltation, but that they might impart of their substance. When His servants were sent to Australia, you should have understood that God would work through them, and you should have exercised liberality in appropriating means to advance the work. The medical missionary work should ere this have been established upon a solid foundation. There should be no withholding of means. The Lord has let His chastening hand fall upon the Review and Herald office because (56) they would not heed His voice. Self-sufficient managers hedged up the way that His work should not advance. The Lord calls upon the Battle Creek Sanitarium to extend her work and to place the health institution here upon a proper basis. This should have been done two years ago. The withholding tends to poverty.”

LLM 37.1

The result of failing to heed the light sent by the spirit of prophecy is now manifest in the destruction of that institution, and the present situation at the head of our medical missionary work. Could the brethren at the head of the department have accepted the light that was given through this gift, we should today see the same prosperity attending this department that has come to the others as the light has been followed.

LLM 37.2

God has permitted all these things to come upon His people that they might see the folly of trusting to men, however great their power or influence, and that His people might learn to believe in the Lord their God and in His prophets that established prosperity might follow their efforts to advance His cause.

LLM 37.3

The message from the spirit of prophecy today to this people is a call for a reorganization of the entire medical missionary work, the key of which is unity. It would seem that this particular phase of the message is to be so blended with every other part that the entire message is to stand out before the world after the similitude of Christ’s work that every individual member of the church—layman, canvasser, Bible teacher, school teacher, institutional worker, and minister is to stand in Christ’s stead before the world with His message of teaching and healing. The nurse or physician is no longer to content himself to simply minister to men’s physical necessity, but is to perform a double ministry. The minister and missionary worker are to minister alike to soul and body in their need, and (57) thus the entire work is to become one united medical missionary evangelistic work.

LLM 37.4

“We have come to a time when every member of the church should take hold of medical missionary work.” “Christ is no longer in this world in person, to go through our cities and towns and villages, healing the sick. He has commissioned us to carry forward the medical missionary work that He began.”

LLM 37.5

“If ever the Lord has spoken by me, He speaks when I say that the workers engaged in educational lines, in ministerial lines, and in medical missionary lines must stand as a unit.” “Medical missionary work is yet in its infancy. The meaning of genuine medical missionary work is known but by few. Why? Because the Saviour’s plan of work has not been followed.”

LLM 38.1

“Christ, the great medical missionary, is our example. He healed the sick and preached the gospel. In His service, healing and teaching were linked closely together. Today they are not to be separated. The nurses who are trained in our institutions are to be fitted up to go out as medical missionary evangelists, uniting the ministry of the Word with that of physical healing.”

LLM 38.2

“There should be companies organized, and educated most thoroughly to work as nurses, as evangelists, as ministers, as canvassers, as gospel students.”

LLM 38.3

“From the instruction that the Lord has given me from time to time, I know there should be workers who make medical evangelistic tours among the towns and villages. Those who do this work will gather a rich harvest of souls, both from the higher and lower classes.”

LLM 38.4

“Let our ministers who have gained experience in preaching the Word, learn how to give simple treatments, and then (58) labor intelligently as medical missionary evangelists. Christ stands before us as a pattern man, the great medical missionary, an example for all who should come after.”

LLM 38.5

“The Lord calls upon our young people to enter our schools, and quickly fit themselves for service. In various places, outside of cities, schools are to be established, where our youth can receive an education that would prepare them to go forth to do evangelical work and medical missionary work.”

LLM 38.6

From the above quotations and the experiences rehearsed, is it not clear to all that (the) Lord, through the spirit of prophecy, under whose fostering care the entire message had developed, and through whose influence each department—publishing, evangelical, and educational, has been reorganized and restored to its original purpose after the wisdom of man have turned them aside, is not calling for a reorganization of our medical missionary work in all its departments,—educational, institutional, and evangelical?

LLM 38.7

What is our individual responsibility in this matter? When God moves forward in His work, it divides men into two classes, those who follow in the way He leads, and those who turn aside. Are not the words of Mordecai to Esther applicable to each of us today: “For if thou altogether holdest thy peace at this time, then shall there enlargement and deliverance rise to the Jews (the work) from another place, but thou and thy father’s house shall be destroyed: and who knoweth whether thou art come to the kingdom (the work) for such a time as this?” Esther 4:14. Or shall the prophetic words of Christ as He wept over Jerusalem, Matthew 23:34-39 describe our attitude and our condemnation at last?

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With God at Dawn

We Must Believe, January 17

WGD 19.1

Believe in the Lord your God, so shall ye be established; believe his prophets, so shall ye prosper. 2 Chronicles 20:20.

Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 10 (1895)

Lt 32, 1895

10LtMs, Lt 32, 1895, par. 10

“Sing, O heavens; and be joyful, O earth; break forth into singing, O mountains: for the Lord hath comforted His people, and will have mercy upon His afflicted. But Zion said, The Lord hath forsaken me, and my God hath forgotten me. Can a woman forget her sucking child, that she should not have compassion on the son of her womb? Yea, she may forget, yet will I not forget thee. Behold I have graven thee upon the palms of my hands; thy walls are continually before me.” [Isaiah 49:13-16.] “Believe in the Lord your God, so shall ye be established. Believe His prophets, so shall ye prosper.” [2 Chronicles 20:20.]

Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 10 (1895)

Lt 26, 1895

10LtMs, Lt 26, 1895, par. 19

“Believe in the Lord your God, so shall ye be established; believe his prophets, so shall ye prosper. And when he had consulted with the people, he appointed singers unto the Lord that they should praise the beauties of holiness, and they went out before the army, and said, Praise the Lord: for his mercy endureth for ever. And when they began to sing and to praise, the Lord sent ambushments against the children of Ammon, Moab, and Mount Seir, which were come against Judah, and they were smitten.” [2 Chronicles 20:20-22.] “Unto you therefore which believe he is precious.” [1 Peter 2:7.] Consider the fact that the Lord has given his only begotten Son, “that whosoever believeth in him, should not perish, but have everlasting life.” [John 3:16.]

From Splendor to Shadow

A Battle Won by a Choir Singing

SS 106.1

Early in the morning as they advanced into the wilderness of Tekoa to battle, Jehoshaphat said, “Believe in the Lord your God, so shall ye be established; believe His prophets, so shall ye prosper. And ... he appointed singers unto the Lord, and that should praise the beauty of holiness.” Verses 20, 21. These singers went before the army, lifting their voices in praise to God for the promise of victory.

SS 106.3

“The Lord set ambushments against the children of Ammon, Moab, and Mount Seir, which were come against Judah; and they were smitten. For the children of Ammon and Moab stood up against the inhabitants of Mount Seir, utterly to slay and destroy them: and when they had made an end of the inhabitants of Seir, every one helped to destroy another.” Verses 22, 23.

SS 106.5

Laden with spoil, the armies of Judah returned “with joy; for the Lord had made them to rejoice over their enemies. And they came to Jerusalem with psalteries and harps and trumpets unto the house of the Lord.” Verses 27, 28. They had put their trust wholly in God, and He had proved to be their fortress and deliverer. Now they could sing with understanding the inspired hymn of David:

SS 107.1

Through the faith of Judah’s ruler and of his armies “the fear of God was on all the kingdoms of those countries, when they had heard that the Lord fought against the enemies of Israel. So the realm of Jehoshaphat was quiet: for his God gave him rest.” 2 Chronicles 20:29, 30.

Our Father Cares

The Battle Song, July 18

OFC 211.1

And when he had consulted with the people, he appointed singers unto the Lord, and that should praise the beauty of holiness, as they went out before the army, and to say, Praise the Lord; for his mercy endureth for ever. 2 Chronicles 20:21.

Sons and Daughters of God

Praise to God Brings Courage, July 11

SD 199.1

And when he [Jehoshaphat] had consulted with the people, he appointed singers unto the Lord, and that should praise the beauty of holiness, as they went out before the army, and to say, Praise the Lord; for his mercy endureth for ever. 2 Chronicles 20:21.

Conflict and Courage

The Battle Song, July 31

CC 218.1

And when he had consulted with the people, he appointed singers unto the Lord, and that should praise the beauty of holiness, as they went out before the army, and to say, Praise the Lord; for his mercy endureth for ever. 2 Chronicles 20:21.

CC 218.2

It was a singular way of going to battle against the enemy’s army—praising the Lord with singing, and exalting the God of Israel. This was their battle song. They possessed the beauty of holiness. If more praising of God were engaged in now, hope and courage and faith would steadily increase. And would not this strengthen the hands of the valiant soldiers who today are standing in defense of truth? 53Ibid., 202.

CC 218.3

They praised God for the victory, and four days thereafter the army returned to Jerusalem, laden with the spoils of their enemies, singing praise for the victory won.54Sons and Daughters of God, 199.

CC 218.4

When we have a deeper appreciation of the mercy and loving-kindness of God, we shall praise Him, instead of complaining. We shall talk of the loving watchcare of the Lord, of the tender compassion of the Good Shepherd. The language of the heart will not be selfish murmuring and repining. Praise, like a clear, flowing stream, will come from God’s truly believing ones....

CC 218.5

Why not awake the voice of spiritual song in the days of our pilgrimage? ... We need to study God’s Word, to meditate and pray. Then we shall have spiritual eyesight to discern the inner courts of the celestial temple. We shall catch the notes of thanksgiving sung by the heavenly choir around the throne. When Zion shall arise and shine, her light will be most penetrating, and songs of praise and thanksgiving will be heard in the assembly of the saints. Little disappointments and difficulties will be lost sight of.

CC 218.6

The Lord is our helper.... No one ever trusted God in vain. He never disappoints those who put their dependence on Him. If we would only do the work that the Lord would have us do, walking in the footsteps of Jesus, our hearts would become sacred harps, every chord of which would send forth praise and thanksgiving to the One sent by God to take away the sin of the world.55Ibid., 198.

Radiant Religion

Rejoice in the Strength of the Lord, September 24

RRe 269.1

Then they returned, every man of Judah and Jerusalem, and Jehoshaphat in the forefront of them, to go again to Jerusalem with joy; for the Lord had made them to rejoice over their enemies. And they came to Jerusalem with psalteries and harps and trumpets unto the house of the Lord. 2 Chronicles 20:27, 28.