EGW WritingsJeremiah 48

Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 4 (1883 - 1886)

Ms 16a, 1885

4LtMs, Ms 16a, 1885, par. 39

It is a beautiful morning. We have no seasickness as yet. Last evening we enjoyed a beautiful sunset. The broad ocean was all that we could see surrounding us, and the sun went out of sight in the broad waters. We went into the dining room to attend services. Under the Episcopalian services, prayers were read, and chapters in the Old and New Testaments that were very appropriate for the occasion. The hymns sung were excellent in sentiment. The chapter read first was in Jeremiah. The second was in the New Testament in regard to the shipwreck of Paul. I wrote eight pages and prepared a reported article for the press. We were on deck most of the time.

Testimonies for the Church, vol. 7

Chapter 33—The Canvasser

7T 175.4

“Cursed be he that doeth the work of the Lord negligently.” Jeremiah 48:10, margin.

Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 6 (1889-1890)

Ms 3, 1890

6LtMs, Ms 3, 1890, par. 16

A selfish withholding from God will tend to poverty in our own souls. Act your part, my brethren and sisters. God loves you, and He stands at the helm. If the conference business is not managed according to the order of the Lord, that is the sin of the erring one; the Lord will not hold you responsible for it, if you do what you can to correct the evil. But do not commit sin yourselves by withholding from the Lord His own property. “Cursed be he that doeth the work of the Lord deceitfully,” or negligently. [Jeremiah 48:10.]

Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 22 (1907)

Lt 271, 1907

22LtMs, Lt 271, 1907, par. 6

God may give to Brother and Sister Rice words to speak in other places than Alameda. It is true that help is needed in Alameda; but it is also true that help is needed in other places as well. When the call comes to open the Scriptures to unbelievers, they should be allowed to answer the call; for they have proved that they are able to do this work. In responding to such appeals from unbelievers, they are fulfilling the command of Christ. Every capability and power that the human agent possesses should be given to the work of seeking to save that which is perishing. In San Francisco, in Oakland, in every place where they can gain entrance, the workers of God are to feel free to labor. “Cursed is he that doeth the work of God negligently.” [Jeremiah 48:10.]

Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 2 (1869 - 1875)

Lt 10, 1873

2LtMs, Lt 10, 1873, par. 24

“Cursed be he that doeth the work of the Lord deceitfully (margin—negligently), and cursed be he that keepeth back his sword from blood. Moab hath been at ease from his youth, and he hath settled on his lees.” Jeremiah 48:10, 11.

Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 7 (1891-1892)

Ms 7, 1891

7LtMs, Ms 7, 1891, par. 4

“Cursed be he that doeth the work of the Lord deceitfully, and cursed be he that keepeth back his sword from blood. Moab hath been at ease from his youth, and he that settled on his lees, and hath not been emptied from vessel to vessel, neither hath he gone into captivity, therefore his taste remained in him, and his scent is not changed. Therefore, behold the days come, saith the Lord, that I will send unto him wanderers, that shall cause him to wander, and shall empty his vessels, and break their bottles.” [Jeremiah 48:10-12.] “And it shall come to pass at that time that I will search Jerusalem with candles, and punish the men that are settled on their lees: that say in their heart, The Lord will not do good, neither will he do evil. ... The great day of the Lord is near, it is near, and hasteth greatly, even the voice of the day of the Lord: the mighty man shall cry there bitterly.” [Zephaniah 1:12-14.] “Curse ye Meroz, saith the angel of the Lord, curse ye bitterly the inhabitants thereof; because they came not to the help of the Lord, to the help of the Lord against the mighty.” [Judges 5:23.]

In Heavenly Places

Where God Leads, November 19

HP 330.5

Many are ignorant of how to work for God, not because they need to be ignorant, but because they are unwilling to submit to His training. Moab is spoken of as a failure because, the prophet declares, “Moab hath been at ease from his youth, ... and hath not been emptied from vessel to vessel, neither hath he gone into captivity: therefore his taste remained in him, and his scent is not changed” (Jeremiah 48:11). Thus it is with those whose hereditary and cultivated tendencies to wrong are not purged from them....

Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 10 (1895)

Lt 45, 1895

10LtMs, Lt 45, 1895, par. 15

The people are encouraged to center in Battle Creek, and they pay their tithe and give their influence to the building up of a modern Jerusalem that is not after God’s order. In this work other places are cut off from facilities which they should have. Enlarge ye, spread, yes; but not in one place. Go out and establish centers of influence in places where nothing or next to nothing has been done. Break up your consolidated mass; diffuse the saving beams of light, and shed beams into the darkened corners of the earth. A work needs to be done something like that which is described as an eagle stirring up her nest. “Moab hath been at ease from his youth, and he is settled on his lees, and hath not been emptied from vessel to vessel, neither hath he gone into captivity: therefore his taste remained in him, and his scent is not changed.” [Jeremiah 48:11.] This is true of many Christians who are coming into Battle Creek. Many have a spasmodic zeal in battle, but it is like a meteor that flashes across the heavens, and goes out.

Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 12 (1897)

Lt 10, 1897

12LtMs, Lt 10, 1897, par. 16

The influence of the Spirit upon the human mind will regulate it after the divine order. But the Spirit does not work in a manner and power beyond the human agent’s power of resistance. A man may refuse to hear the counsels and admonitions of God. He may choose to take the regulating of his conduct into his own hands; but when he does this, he is not made a vessel unto honor. Like Moab, he refuses to be changed, emptied from vessel to vessel, and therefore his scent remaineth in him. He refuses to correct his defective traits of character, although the Lord has plainly pointed out his work, his privileges, his opportunities, and the advancement to be made. It is too much trouble to break up his old ways, and transform his ideas and methods. “His scent is not changed.” [Jeremiah 48:11.] He clings to his defects, and is thus unfitted for the sacred work of the ministry. He was not willing to make a close examination of himself, or to closely inquire for light to shine upon him in a clear, distinct manner. His prayers have not ascended to God in humility, while with humble endeavor he sought to live his prayers by understanding and performing his duty.

Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 16 (1901)

Lt 59, 1901

16LtMs, Lt 59, 1901, par. 18

“Moab hath been at ease from his youth, and he hath settled on his lees, and hath not been emptied from vessel to vessel, neither hath he gone into captivity; therefore his taste remained in him, and his scent is not changed.” [Jeremiah 48:11.]

16LtMs, Lt 59, 1901, par. 19

Moab did not know anything of the process of unsettling, and the people made but little moral and spiritual progress. “His taste remained in him, and his scent is not changed.” [Verse 11.]

Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 16 (1901)

Ms 101, 1901

16LtMs, Ms 101, 1901, par. 17

It may seem that much service is lost by carrying out the plans of reorganization. But the Lord says, “Moab hath been at ease from his youth, and he hath settled on his lees, and hath not been emptied from vessel to vessel, neither hath he gone into captivity: therefore his scent remained in him, and his scent is not changed.” [Jeremiah 48:11.]

Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 16 (1901)

Ms 81, 1901

16LtMs, Ms 81, 1901, par. 19

Matters have been presented to me in this way. In some places where there are those who have been kept in one position for years, a change is frequently necessary. We read in God’s Word, “Moab hath been at ease from his youth, and he hath settled on his lees, and hath not been emptied from vessel to vessel, neither hath he gone into captivity; therefore his taste remaineth in him, and his scent is not changed.” [Jeremiah 48:11.]

Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 17 (1902)

Ms 151, 1902

17LtMs, Ms 151, 1902, par. 5

There are ministers who have stood on Satan’s side of this question, as men who do not desire to become interested in the work for the South. To those who were inclined to send help to the work in Nashville, they have talked <their own unbelief> so discouragingly that this place, which God has said plainly should have special advantages, has not received the help that it should have received. <Over and over again money had been diverted that has been donated to this field.> Thus is being repeated the mistake made in the past in regard to the misappropriation of means. There are those who, instead of strengthening and sustaining the work in Nashville, have tried to tear it down by unjust criticism and evil surmisings. They have placed a mote close to the eye, and it has become to them a mountain. Nothing but it can they see. If they would remove this mote, as they could if they so desired, they would see the glory beyond. But will they do this, which would be an act of such mercy to themselves? They cannot see the way in which the Lord regards their present attitude. They are picking at straws. They need not be as they are. Their <own spiritual> condition depends on themselves. But they must submit to the will of God. Until they do this, the words spoken of Moab are applicable to them: “Moab ... hath not been emptied from vessel to vessel; therefore his taste remained in him and his scent is not changed.” [Jeremiah 48:11.]

Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 18 (1903)

Ms 71, 1903

18LtMs, Ms 71, 1903, par. 9

Brethren, if you are so situated that the work presses too heavily upon you, and you are unable to do all you think should be done, do the best you can, without endangering your health, and carry your burdens to the Lord. Then if God sends some one to help you, do not be afraid to trust the one who is to associate with you, fearing that he will not work in accordance with your ideas. Do not say, This man does not agree with me; if I unite with him in labor, he will spoil the work I have been trying to do. He will introduce plans that will divert my mind from the plans that I have laid. Perhaps God wants your mind diverted from the plans you have been following. Perhaps God wants you to have a change of places. Of Moab it was said, he “hath not been emptied from vessel to vessel, ... therefore his taste remained in him, and his scent is not changed.” [Jeremiah 48:11.]

Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 18 (1903)

Ms 79, 1903

18LtMs, Ms 79, 1903, par. 9

Many are ignorant of how to work for God, not because they need to be ignorant, but because they are not willing to submit to His training process. Moab is spoken of as a failure because, the Word declares, “he hath been at ease from his youth, ... and hath not been emptied from vessel to vessel; ... therefore his taste remained in him, and his scent is not changed.” [Jeremiah 48:11.]

Manuscript Releases, vol. 8 [Nos. 526-663]

MR No. 649—How God Trains His Workers

8MR 423.4

Many are ignorant of how to work for God, not because they need to be ignorant, but because they are not willing to submit to His training process. Moab is spoken of as a failure because, the Word declares, he “hath been at ease from his youth, ... and hath not been emptied from vessel to vessel, therefore his taste remained in him, and his scent is not changed.” (Jeremiah 48:11.)

Manuscript Releases, vol. 19 [Nos. 1360-1419]

MR No. 1363—Condescension of Jesus; Unity in Christ; Appeal for an Efficient, Well-Trained Ministry

19MR 24.1

The influence of the Spirit upon the human mind will regulate it after the divine order. But the Spirit does not work in a manner and power beyond the human agent’s power of resistance. A man may refuse to hear the counsels and admonitions of God. He may choose to take the regulating of his conduct into his own hands; but when he does this, he is not made a vessel unto honor. Like Moab, he refuses to be changed, emptied from vessel to vessel, and therefore his taste remaineth in him, and his scent is not changed. [See Jeremiah 48:11.] He refuses to correct his defective traits of character although the Lord has plainly pointed out his work, his privileges, his opportunities, and the advancement to be made. It is too much trouble to break up his old ways and transform his ideas and methods. “His scent is not changed.” He clings to his defects, and is thus unfitted for the sacred work of the ministry. He was not willing to make a close examination of himself, or to closely inquire for light to shine upon him in a clear, distinct manner. His prayers have not ascended to God in humility, while with humble endeavor he sought to live his prayers by understanding and performing his duty.

Sons and Daughters of God

Moab a Failure because He Refused to Change, March 31

SD 97.1

Moab hath been at ease from his youth, and he hath settled on his lees, and hath not been emptied from vessel to vessel, neither hath he gone into captivity: therefore his taste remained in him, and his scent is not changed. Jeremiah 48:11.

Testimonies for the Church, vol. 8

Build Up New Centers

8T 150.2

“Moab hath been at ease from his youth, and he hath settled on his lees, and hath not been emptied from vessel to vessel, neither hath he gone into captivity: therefore his taste remained in him, and his scent is not changed.” Jeremiah 48:11. This is true of many of the believers who are coming to Battle Creek. Many have a spasmodic zeal in battle, but their light is like that of a meteor that flashes across the heavens and then goes out.

The Upward Look

Why God Permits Unsettling Experiences, June 5

UL 170.1

All his life long, Moab has lain undisturbed like wine settled on its lees, not emptied from vessel to vessel; he has not gone into exile. Therefore the taste of him is unaltered, and the flavour stays unchanged. Jeremiah 48:11, N.E.B.

UL 170.2

Moab did not know anything of the process of unsettling, and the people made but little moral and spiritual progress. “His taste remained in him, and his scent is not changed” (Jeremiah 48:11).

To Be Like Jesus

Submit to God’s Training Process, March 5

BLJ 73.5

Many are ignorant of how to work for God, not because they need to be ignorant, but because they are not willing to submit to His training process. Moab is spoken of as a failure because, the Word declares, he “hath been at ease from his youth, ... and hath not been emptied from vessel to vessel, ... therefore his taste remained in him, and his scent is not changed” (Jeremiah 48:11)....

Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 9 (1894)

Ms 9, 1894

9LtMs, Ms 9, 1894, par. 7

The youth who are instructed by those teachers who are not learning in the school of Christ will seldom rise higher than their teachers. If they should try to rise, they would be repressed and taught to keep their place as subordinates to the will and word of their teachers. Such teachers are accountable to God for the good that they might have done in impressing the minds of their students, but which they did not do because they wished to show themselves wise in clinging to old habits and customs. It is stated in the Old Testament of one, “He hath not been emptied from vessel to vessel;” “therefore his taste remained in him, and his scent is not changed.” [Jeremiah 48:11.] Christ saw that the only hope for the Jews was for them to be decidedly changed, but they would not receive the light and let the Holy Spirit of God mold and fashion them into a vessel unto honor, and the character they possessed wrought their own ruin.