EGW WritingsEzekiel 16

Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 13 (1898)

Lt 132, 1898

13LtMs, Lt 132, 1898, par. 26

God chooses His workers from all classes of people, and imbues them with His own spirit. So it was in ancient times. The men and women of God’s selection were of intense earnestness, full of zeal. The last books of the Old Testament show us workers taken from the laborers in the field. Others were men of high ability and extensive learning, but the Lord gave them visions and messages. These men of the Old Testament spoke of the things transpiring in their day, and Daniel, Isaiah, and Ezekiel not only spoke of things that concerned them as present truth, but their sight reached down to the future, and to what should occur in these last days.

The Great Controversy

Chapter 21—A Warning Rejected

GC 381.3

The unfaithfulness of the church to Christ in permitting her confidence and affection to be turned from Him, and allowing the love of worldly things to occupy the soul, is likened to the violation of the marriage vow. The sin of Israel in departing from the Lord is presented under this figure; and the wonderful love of God which they thus despised is touchingly portrayed: “I sware unto thee, and entered into a covenant with thee, saith the Lord God, and thou becamest Mine.” “And thou wast exceeding beautiful and thou didst prosper into a kingdom. And thy renown went forth among the heathen for thy beauty: for it was perfect through My comeliness, which I had put upon thee.... But thou didst trust in thine own beauty, and playedst the harlot because of thy renown.” “As a wife treacherously departeth from her husband, so have ye dealt treacherously with Me, O house of Israel, saith the Lord;” “as a wife that committeth adultery, which taketh strangers instead of her husband!” Ezekiel 16:8, 13-15, 32; Jeremiah 3:20.

GC 382.3

Babylon is said to be “the mother of harlots.” By her daughters must be symbolized churches that cling to her doctrines and traditions, and follow her example of sacrificing the truth and the approval of God, in order to form an unlawful alliance with the world. The message of Revelation 14, announcing the fall of Babylon must apply to religious bodies that were once pure and have become corrupt. Since this message follows the warning of the judgment, it must be given in the last days; therefore it cannot refer to the Roman Church alone, for that church has been in a fallen condition for many centuries. Furthermore, in the eighteenth chapter of the Revelation the people of God are called upon to come out of Babylon. According to this scripture, many of God’s people must still be in Babylon. And in what religious bodies are the greater part of the followers of Christ now to be found? Without doubt, in the various churches professing the Protestant faith. At the time of their rise these churches took a noble stand for God and the truth, and His blessing was with them. Even the unbelieving world was constrained to acknowledge the beneficent results that followed an acceptance of the principles of the gospel. In the words of the prophet to Israel: “Thy renown went forth among the heathen for thy beauty: for it was perfect through My comeliness, which I had put upon thee, saith the Lord God.” But they fell by the same desire which was the curse and ruin of Israel—the desire of imitating the practices and courting the friendship of the ungodly. “Thou didst trust in thine own beauty, and playedst the harlot because of thy renown.” Ezekiel 16:14, 15.

The Great Controversy (1888 ed.)

Chapter 21—A Warning Rejected

GC88 381.2

The unfaithfulness of the church to Christ in permitting her confidence and affection to be turned from him, and allowing the love of worldly things to occupy the soul, is likened to the violation of the marriage vow. The sin of Israel in departing from the Lord is presented under this figure; and the wonderful love of God which they thus despised is touchingly portrayed. “I sware unto thee, and entered into a covenant with thee, saith the Lord God, and thou becamest mine.” “And thou wast exceeding beautiful, and thou didst prosper into a kingdom. And thy renown went forth among the heathen for thy beauty; for it was perfect through my comeliness, which I had put upon thee.... But thou didst trust in thine own beauty, and playedst the harlot because of thy renown.” “As a wife treacherously departeth from her husband, so have ye dealt treacherously with me, O house of Israel, saith the Lord;” “as a wife that committeth adultery, which taketh strangers instead of her husband.” [Ezekiel 16:8, 13-15, 32; Jeremiah 3:20.]

This Day With God

Help Is Promised, January 15

TDG 23.6

Christ desires to say of His people as He said of Israel of old, “And thy renown went forth among the heathen for thy beauty: for it was perfect through my comeliness, which I had put upon thee, saith the Lord God” (Ezekiel 16:14).—Manuscript 5, January 15, 1901, “A Very Present Help.”

Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 16 (1901)

Ms 5, 1901

16LtMs, Ms 5, 1901, par. 22

Christ desires to say of His people as He said of Israel of old, “Thy renown went forth among the heathen for thy beauty; for it was perfect through my comeliness, which I had put upon thee, saith the Lord God.” [Ezekiel 16:14.]

Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 20 (1905)

Lt 19, 1905

20LtMs, Lt 19, 1905, par. 9

Now is the time for us to work righteousness. Just now let the beauty of the Lord our God shine forth from the lives of His true, faithful workers. God says, “Thy renown went forth among the heathen for thy beauty; for it was perfect through My comeliness, which I had put upon thee, saith the Lord.” [Ezekiel 16:14.] Let us pray daily, “Establish Thou the work of my hands.” [Psalm 90:17.]

From Here to Forever

Spiritual Adultery

HF 237.1

Unfaithfulness of the church to Christ in allowing worldly things to occupy the soul is likened to violation of the marriage vow. The sin of Israel in departing from the Lord is presented under this figure. “As a wife treacherously departeth from her husband, so have ye dealt treacherously with me, O house of Israel, saith the Lord;” “as a wife that committeth adultery, which taketh strangers instead of her husband!” Jeremiah 3:20; Ezekiel 16:32.

Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 12 (1897)

Ms 69, 1897

12LtMs, Ms 69, 1897, par. 34

In every phase society is corrupt. The world has reached the time to which Christ’s testimony applies: “As the days of Noe were, so shall also the coming of the Son of man be. For as in the days that were before the flood, they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the day that Noe entered into the ark, and knew not until the flood came and took them all away, so shall the coming of the Son of man be.” [Matthew 24:37-39.] “Likewise also as it was in the days of Lot; they did eat, they drank, they bought, they sold, they planted, they builded. But the same day that Lot went out of Sodom, it rained fire and brimstone from heaven, and destroyed them all. Even thus shall it be in the day when the Son of man is revealed.” [Luke 17:28-30.] “As I live, saith the Lord God, Sodom thy sister hath not done, she nor her daughters, as thou hast done, thou and thy daughters. Behold, this was the iniquity of thy sister Sodom, Pride, fulness of bread, and abundance of idleness was in her and her daughters, neither did she strengthen the hand of the poor and needy.” [Ezekiel 16:48, 49.]

Christian Temperance and Bible Hygiene

Chapter 16—Social Purity

CTBH 133.1

The victims of this habit do not love work; and when engaged in it, they complain of fatigue,—they have backache, headache, and what not? Be sure, parents, if simple, well-regulated labor exhausts your children, there is something else that is enervating their system. Do not be hasty to excuse them from physical exercise. Do not lift the burdens they should bear. Overwork is hurtful, but indolence is much more to be dreaded. Do not release them from responsibility, and indulge their complaints. It would be the worst thing you could possibly do for them. It would remove almost the only barrier against Satan’s free access to their weakened minds. The weariness attending useful labor lessens the inclination to indulge in vice. Active hands and minds do not find time to heed every temptation which the enemy suggests; but idle hands and brains are all ready for him to control. The mind, when not occupied, is inclined to dwell upon improper things. “Behold, this was the iniquity of thy sister Sodom, pride, fullness of bread, and abundance of idleness was in her and in her daughters.” [Ezekiel 16:49.]

The Health Reformer

September 1, 1876

HR September 1, 1876, par. 5

The greatest curse following in the train of wealth is the fashionable idea that work is degrading. “Behold, this was the iniquity of thy sister Sodom, pride, fullness of bread, and abundance of idleness was in her, and in her daughters, neither did she strengthen the hand of the poor and needy.” Ezekiel 16:49. Here is presented before us the terrible results of idleness, which enfeebles the mind, debases the soul, and perverts the understanding, turning into a curse that which was given as a blessing.

Testimony Treasures, vol. 1

The Sin of Idleness

1TT 145.2

I have been shown that much sin has resulted from idleness. Active hands and minds do not find time to heed every temptation which the enemy suggests, but idle hands and brains are all ready for Satan to control. The mind, when not properly occupied, dwells upon improper things. Parents should teach their children that idleness is sin. I was referred to (Ezekiel 16:49): “Behold, this was the iniquity of thy sister Sodom, pride, fullness of bread, and abundance of idleness was in her and in her daughters, neither did she strengthen the hand of the poor and needy.”

From the Heart

Work Is a Blessing, May 21

FH 153.1

Look, this was the iniquity of your sister Sodom: ... pride, fullness of food, and abundance of idleness. Ezekiel 16:49.

Testimony for the Church — No. 10

Dangers of the Young

T10 6.1

I have been shown that much sin has resulted from idleness. Active hands and minds do not find time to heed every temptation the Enemy suggests; but idle hands and brains are all ready for Satan to control. The mind, when not properly occupied, dwells upon improper things. Parents should learn their children that idleness is sin. I was referred to Ezekiel 16:49. “Behold this was the iniquity of thy sister Sodom, pride, fullness of bread, and abundance of idleness, was in her and in her daughters, neither did she strengthen the hands of the poor and needy.”

Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 5 (1887-1888)

Ms 19, 1887

5LtMs, Ms 19, 1887, par. 12

Why is this not so? Where is the trouble? It is with the parents [who] let [their] children come up without bearing any burdens in the family. When [these children] go out to school, [they say,] “Ma says she doesn’t want me to work.” [Such] mothers are foolish. [They] spoil their children and then send them to school to spoil it. “Well,” they say, “we did not want our children to work.” Why? It is the very best discipline they can have. It is no harder for them than for their mothers. Blend the physical labor with the mental, and the powers of the mind will develop far better if the physical has a preparation for the education of the mental. Now we read in the Scriptures of the sin of the daughters. [Ezekiel 16:49.] Idleness and fulness of bread were the curse which rested upon [Sodom], and, as the youth of today are not taught to work, their usefulness is spoilt in lovesick sentimentalism. This would not be so if they were educated to work and to realize that life means labor, responsibility, and caretaking. All these girls should know how to cook the best food, and those who understand how to cook a good meal of victuals will make the best canvassers, colporteurs, and copyists. Now it is a fact, if you neglect this branch and these youth grow up without a solid education, I would say to these teachers here, You want to make the Word of God the first, the last, the best in everything. What we want is to be fitted up for the future immortal life; and if you have those who are so slack in their education in this line, they will never see the importance of their work for the future immortal life. They will have a slipshod religion just as they have a slipshod education, but we want that the moral code of our colleges should be elevated, and we want that every one of us shall have the mold of Jesus Christ upon him.

Counsels on Health

Idleness and Despondency

CH 629.2

There is much deception carried on under the cover of religion. Passion controls the minds of many who have become depraved in thought and feeling in consequence of “pride, fullness of bread, and abundance of idleness.” Ezekiel 16:49. These deceived souls flatter themselves that they are spiritually minded and especially consecrated, when their religious experience consists in a sickly sentimentalism rather than in purity, true goodness, and humiliation of self. The mind should be drawn away from self; its powers should be exercised in devising means to make others happier and better. “Pure religion and undefiled before God and the Father is this, To visit the fatherless and widows in their affliction, and to keep himself unspotted from the world.” James 1:27.

Counsels to Parents, Teachers, and Students

The Lessons of Contented Industry

CT 279.1

Among the evils resulting from wealth, one of the greatest is the fashionable idea that work is degrading. The prophet Ezekiel declares: “Behold, this was the iniquity of thy sister Sodom, pride, fullness of bread, and abundance of idleness was in her and in her daughters, neither did she strengthen the hand of the poor and needy.” Ezekiel 16:49. Here are presented before us the terrible results of idleness, which enfeebles the mind, debases the soul, and perverts the understanding, making a curse of that which was given as a blessing. It is the working man or woman who sees something great and good in life, and who is willing to bear its responsibilities with faith and hope.

Messages to Young People

The Lesson of Contented Industry

MYP 215.2

Among the evils resulting from wealth, one of the greatest is the fashionable idea that work is degrading. The prophet Ezekiel declares: “Behold, this was the iniquity of thy sister Sodom, pride, fullness of bread, and abundance of idleness was in her and in her daughters, neither did she strengthen the hand of the poor and needy.” Ezekiel 16:49. Here are presented before us the terrible results of idleness, which enfeebles the mind, debases the soul, and perverts the understanding, making a curse of that which was given as a blessing. It is the working man or woman who sees something great and good in life, and who is willing to bear its responsibilities with faith and hope.

Mind, Character, and Personality, vol. 1

(B) The Negative

1MCP 232.1

Sodom’s Dissolute Morals—We are not ignorant of the fall of Sodom because of the corruption of its inhabitants. The prophet has here [Ezekiel 16:49] specified the particular evils which led to dissolute morals. We see the very sins now existing in the world which were in Sodom and which brought upon her the wrath of God, even to her utter destruction.—The Health Reformer, July, 1873. (The S.D.A. Bible Commentary 4:1161.)

Testimonies for the Church, vol. 1

Chapter 74—Dangers of the Young

1T 395.2

I have been shown that much sin has resulted from idleness. Active hands and minds do not find time to heed every temptation which the enemy suggests, but idle hands and brains are all ready for Satan to control. The mind, when not properly occupied, dwells upon improper things. Parents should teach their children that idleness is sin. I was referred to Ezekiel 16:49: “Behold, this was the iniquity of thy sister Sodom, pride, fullness of bread, and abundance of idleness was in her and in her daughters, neither did she strengthen the hand of the poor and needy.”

Testimonies on Sexual Behavior, Adultery, and Divorce

Chapter 16—Homosexuality

TSB 120.2

Sodom’s Sins Today—We are not ignorant of the fall of Sodom because of the corruption of its inhabitants. The prophet has here [Ezekiel 16:49] specified the particular evils which led to dissolute morals. We see the very sins now existing in the world which were in Sodom and which brought upon her the wrath of God, even to her utter destruction.—The S.D.A. Bible Commentary 4:1161.

This Day With God

The Blessing of Labor, May 4

TDG 133.5

The greatest curse following in the train of wealth is the fashionable idea that work is degrading. “Behold, this was the iniquity of thy sister Sodom, pride, fulness of bread, and abundance of idleness was in her and in her daughters, neither did she strengthen the hand of the poor and needy” (Ezekiel 16:49). Here are presented before us, in the words of Holy Writ, the terrible results of idleness. It was this that caused the ruin of the cities of the plain. Idleness enfeebles the mind, debases the soul, and perverts the understanding, turning into a curse that which was given as a blessing.—The Signs of the Times, May 4, 1882.

Spiritual Gifts, vol. 4b

Chapter 10—Dangers of the Young

4bSG 137.3

I have been shown that much sin has resulted from idleness. Active hands and minds do not find time to heed every temptation the Enemy suggests; but idle hands and brains are all ready for Satan to control. The mind, when not properly occupied, dwells upon improper things. Parents should learn their children that idleness is sin. I was referred to Ezekiel 16:49. “Behold this was the iniquity of thy sister Sodom, pride, fullness of bread, and abundance of idleness, was in her and in her daughters, neither did she strengthen the hands of the poor and needy.”

Mind, Character, and Personality, vol. 2

Chapter 40—Body Affects Mind

2MCP 383.1

Idleness Weakens Brain Power—The reason the youth have so little strength of brain and muscle is because they do so little in the line of useful labor. “Behold, this was the iniquity of thy sister Sodom, pride, fullness of bread, and abundance of idleness was in her and in her daughters, neither did she strengthen the hand of the poor and needy. And they were haughty, and committed abomination before Me: therefore I took them away as I saw good” (Ezekiel 16:49, 50).—Testimonies for the Church 4:96 (1876).

Patriarchs and Prophets

Chapter 14—Destruction of Sodom

PP 156.2

The profusion reigning everywhere gave birth to luxury and pride. Idleness and riches make the heart hard that has never been oppressed by want or burdened by sorrow. The love of pleasure was fostered by wealth and leisure, and the people gave themselves up to sensual indulgence. “Behold,” says the prophet, “this was the iniquity of thy sister Sodom, pride, fullness of bread, and abundance of idleness was in her and in her daughters, neither did she strengthen the hand of the poor and needy. And they were haughty, and committed abomination before Me: therefore I took them away as I saw good.” Ezekiel 16:49, 50. There is nothing more desired among men than riches and leisure, and yet these gave birth to the sins that brought destruction upon the cities of the plain. Their useless, idle life made them a prey to Satan’s temptations, and they defaced the image of God, and became satanic rather than divine. Idleness is the greatest curse that can fall upon man, for vice and crime follow in its train. It enfeebles the mind, perverts the understanding, and debases the soul. Satan lies in ambush, ready to destroy those who are unguarded, whose leisure gives him opportunity to insinuate himself under some attractive disguise. He is never more successful than when he comes to men in their idle hours.

From Eternity Past

Chapter 14—The Sin of Sodom and Gomorrah

EP 98.2

Idleness and riches make the heart hard that has never been oppressed by want or burdened by sorrow. The people gave themselves up to sensual indulgence. “This was the iniquity of thy sister Sodom, pride, fullness of bread, and abundance of idleness was in her and in her daughters, neither did she strengthen the hand of the poor and needy. And they were haughty, and committed abomination before Me; therefore I took them away as I saw good.” Ezekiel 16:49, 50. Satan is never more successful than when he comes to men in their idle hours.

Testimony for the Church — No. 26

Epistle Number Six.

T26 133.3

Why the youth have so little strength of brain and muscle is because they do so little in the line of useful labor. “Behold, this was the iniquity of thy sister Sodom, pride, fullness of bread, and abundance of idleness was in her and in her daughters, neither did she strengthen the hand of the poor and needy; and they were haughty and committed abomination before me: therefore I took them away as I saw good.” Ezekiel 16:49, 50.

Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 2 (1869 - 1875)

Lt 30, 1870

2LtMs, Lt 30, 1870, par. 8

Overwork for the young is injurious to their growing frames, but inactivity and delicate idleness is sowing the seeds of disease and bringing sure decay to thousands. Where there is in reality one hundred who have broken down their constitutions purely by overwork, idleness, an inactive life, and overeating bring to the grave one thousand, while overworking purely causes the death of but a few. Why the youth have so little strength of bone, of brain, and of muscle is because they do so little in the line of physical, useful labor. Ezekiel 16:49, 50.

Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 5 (1887-1888)

Lt 10, 1888

5LtMs, Lt 10, 1888, par. 20

The Scriptures say, “As for my people, children are their oppressors and women rule over them.” Isaiah 3:12. “Behold, this was the iniquity of thy sister Sodom, pride, fullness of bread, and abundance of idleness was in her and in her daughters, neither did she strengthen the hands of the poor and needy. And they were haughty, and committed abomination before me: therefore I took them away as I saw good.” Ezekiel 16:49, 50.

Christ’s Object Lessons

Chapter 13—Two Worshipers

COL 160.3

At every advance step in Christian experience our repentance will deepen. It is to those whom the Lord has forgiven, to those whom He acknowledges as His people, that He says, “Then shall ye remember your own evil ways, and your doings that were not good, and shall loathe yourselves in your own sight.” Ezekiel 36:31. Again He says, “I will establish My covenant with thee, and thou shalt know that I am the Lord; that thou mayest remember, and be confounded, and never open thy mouth any more because of thy shame, when I am pacified toward thee for all that thou hast done, saith the Lord God.” Ezekiel 16:62, 63. Then our lips will not be opened in self-glorification. We shall know that our sufficiency is in Christ alone. We shall make the apostle’s confession our own. “I know that in me (that is, in my flesh) dwelleth no good thing.” Romans 7:18. “God forbid that I should glory, save in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom the world is crucified unto me, and I unto the world.” Galatians 6:14.

With God at Dawn

He Will Establish His Covenant with Us, March 5

WGD 66.1

And I will establish my covenant with thee; and thou shalt know that I am the Lord; that thou mayest remember, and be confounded, and never open thy mouth any more because of thy shame, when I am pacified toward thee for all that thou hast done, saith the Lord God. Ezekiel 16:62, 63.

Jesus, Name Above All Names

Master Worker, February 10

JNN 49.3

At every advance step in Christian experience our repentance will deepen. It is to those whom the Lord has forgiven, to those whom He acknowledges as His people, that He says, “Then shall ye remember your own evil ways, and your doings that were not good, and shall loathe yourselves in your own sight” (Ezekiel 36:31). Again He says, “I will establish My covenant with thee, and thou shalt know that I am the Lord; that thou mayest remember, and be confounded, and never open thy mouth any more because of thy shame, when I am pacified toward thee for all that thou hast done, saith the Lord God” (Ezekiel 16:62, 63). Then our lips will not be opened in self-glorification. We shall know that our sufficiency is in Christ alone. We shall make the apostle’s confession our own. “I know that in me (that is, in my flesh) dwelleth no good thing” (Romans 7:18)....