EGW WritingsProverbs 21

Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 9 (1894)

Lt 21, 1894

9LtMs, Lt 21, 1894, par. 9

O, how can God bear with the misdeeds of those who have had great light and advantages, and yet follow the course of their own choosing, to their eternal harm? Solomon, who had solemnly charged the people at the dedication of the temple, “Let your heart be perfect with the Lord your God” [1 Kings 8:61], chose his own way, and in his own heart separated from God. The mind that was once given to God and inspired of God to write the most precious words of wisdom (the book of Proverbs)—truths which are immortalized—that noble mind, through evil associations and yielding to temptations, became inefficient, weak in moral power, and Solomon dishonored himself, dishonored Israel, and dishonored his God.

Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 13 (1898)

Ms 40, 1898

13LtMs, Ms 40, 1898, par. 15

Solomon wrote the book of Proverbs, but after a time his wisdom became mingled with chaff. When came the chaff? After a manhood of such glorious promise, a change came in Solomon’s history. He did not continue true to his purity and allegiance to God. He broke through the barriers which God had erected to preserve His people from idolatry. The Lord had singled out Israel as a nation, making them the depositaries of sacred truth, to be given to the world. But Solomon cherished pride of political powers. He encouraged alliances with pagan kingdoms. He procured the silver of Tarshish and the gold of Ophir, but it was at the expense of destroying sacred trusts. Evil communications corrupted good manners. One false movement led to an acquaintance with idolaters. He formed marriage alliances with the daughters of pagan worshipers, and his wives led him away from God. His separation from God through communication with idolaters ruined him.

Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 13 (1898)

Ms 3, 1898

13LtMs, Ms 3, 1898, par. 10

It is not possible to give to Christ more service than is His due. If you have, as had the Pharisees, a self-complacent spirit, if you wrap about you the garments of your self-righteousness, and leave sinners in darkness and transgression, you give evidence that you are not converted; and those whom you deem publicans and sinners will go into the kingdom of heaven before you. Those who would object to eating with publicans and sinners should closely criticize their own course of action. They have important lessons to learn. What saith the Scriptures?—“To do justice and judgment is more acceptable to the Lord than sacrifice.” [Proverbs 21:3.] “For I desired mercy, and not sacrifice; and the knowledge of God more than burnt offerings.” [Hosea 6:6.]

Our High Calling

Sustained Versus Spasmodic Effort, August 6

OHC 224.1

The thoughts of the diligent tend only to plenteousness; but of every one that is hasty only to want. Proverbs 21:5.

Education

Chapter 15—Business Principles and Methods

Ed 136.8

“The getting of treasures by a lying tongue is a vanity tossed to and fro of them that seek death.” Proverbs 21:6.

The Faith I Live By

Natural Immortality a Lie, June 21

FLB 178.1

The getting of treasures by a lying tongue is a vanity tossed to and fro of them that seek death. Proverbs 21:6.

Radiant Religion

To Do Justice, August 6

RRe 220.1

It is joy to the just to do judgment: but destruction shall be to the workers of iniquity. Proverbs 21:15.

Living by Principle

Amusements

PH048 18.2

Proverbs 21:15, 17: It is joy to the just to do judgment: but destruction shall be to the workers of iniquity.... He that loveth pleasure shall be a poor man: he that loveth wine and oil shall not be rich.

My Life Today

Righteousness Enriches Life, July 20

ML 205.1

He that followeth after righteousness and mercy findeth life, righteousness, and honour. Proverbs 21:21.

With God at Dawn

Right Living Brings Honor, September 22

WGD 267.1

He that followeth after righteousness and mercy findeth life, righteousness, and honour. Proverbs 21:21.

Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 5 (1887-1888)

Lt 64, 1888

5LtMs, Lt 64, 1888, par. 18

“If any man among you seem to be religious, and bridleth not his tongue, but deceiveth his own heart, this man’s religion is vain.” James 1:26. “Death and life are in the power of the tongue, and they that love it shall eat the fruit thereof.” Proverbs 18:21. “For by thy words thou shalt be justified, and by thy words thou shalt be condemned.” Matthew 12:37. “But I say unto you, That every idle word that men shall speak, they shall give account thereof in the day of judgment.” Verse 36. “Whosoever keepeth his mouth and his tongue keepeth his soul from troubles. Proud and haughty scorner is his name, who dealeth in proud wrath.” Proverbs 21:23, 24.

Prophets and Kings

Chapter 27—Ahaz

PK 323.1

Inspiration declares, “The sacrifice of the wicked is abomination: how much more, when he bringeth it with a wicked mind?” Proverbs 21:27. The God of heaven is “of purer eyes than to behold evil,” and cannot “look on iniquity.” Habakkuk 1:13. It is not because He is unwilling to forgive that He turns from the transgressor; it is because the sinner refuses to make use of the abundant provisions of grace, that God is unable to deliver from sin. “The Lord’s hand is not shortened, that it cannot save; neither His ear heavy, that it cannot hear: but your iniquities have separated between you and your God, and your sins have hid His face from you, that He will not hear.” Isaiah 59:1, 2.

The Review and Herald

April 1, 1915

RH April 1, 1915, par. 4

Inspiration declares, “The sacrifice of the wicked is abomination: how much more, when he bringeth it with a wicked mind?” Proverbs 21:27. The God of heaven is “of purer eyes than to behold evil,” and cannot “look on iniquity.” Habakkuk 1:13. It is not because he is unwilling to forgive, that he turns from the transgressor; it is because the sinner refuses to make use of the abundant provisions of grace, that God is unable to deliver from sin. “The Lord’s hand is not shortened, that it cannot save; neither his ear heavy, that it cannot hear: but your iniquities have separated between you and your God, and your sins have hid his face from you, that he will not hear.” Isaiah 59:1, 2.

From Splendor to Shadow

Chapter 27—Ahaz Almost Ruins the Kingdom

SS 170.3

Inspiration declares, “The sacrifice of the wicked is abomination: how much more, when he bringeth it with a wicked mind?” Proverbs 21:27. It is not because God is unwilling to forgive that He turns from the transgressor; because the sinner refuses the abundant provisions of grace, God is unable to deliver from sin. “Your iniquities have separated between you and your God, and your sins have hid His face from you, that He will not hear.” Isaiah 59:2.