EGW WritingsProverbs 7

Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 24 (1909)

Ms 53, 1909

24LtMs, Ms 53, 1909, par. 3

The Bible is filled with precious instruction. In the seventh chapter of Proverbs we read: “My son, keep My words, and lay up My commandments with thee. Keep My commandments and live; and My law as the apple of thine eye. Bind them upon thy fingers, write them upon the table of thine heart. Say unto wisdom, Thou art my sister, and call understanding thy kinswoman.” Proverbs 7:1-4. In this we see how God tries to make His grace familiar to us by the use of pleasing figures. He desires that we shall lay hold on the simplicity of true godliness.

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.

Evangelism

Meeting Sabbathkeeping Problems

Ev 240.1

Never Results in Starvation—Never need anyone fear that observance of the true Sabbath will result in starvation. [Isaiah 58:11, 12; Proverbs 7:2; Isaiah 58:14.] These promises are a sufficient answer to all the excuses that man may invent for refusing to keep the Sabbath. Even if, after beginning to keep God’s law, it seems impossible to support one’s family, let every doubting soul realize that God has promised to care for those who obey His commandments.—Manuscript 116, 1902.

Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 23 (1908)

Lt 218, 1908

23LtMs, Lt 218, 1908, par. 20

“In the preparation of a people for the Lord’s second coming, a great work is to be accomplished through the promulgation of health principles. The people are to be instructed in regard to the needs of the physical organism, and the value of healthful living as taught in the Scriptures, that the bodies which God has created may be presented to Him a living sacrifice, fitted to render Him acceptable service. There is a great work to be done for suffering humanity in relieving their sufferings by the use of the natural agencies that God has provided, and in teaching them how to prevent sickness by the regulations of the appetites and passions. The people should be taught that transgression of the laws of nature is transgression of the laws of God. They should be taught the truth in physical as well as spiritual lines, that ‘the fear of the Lord tendeth to life.’ [Proverbs 19:23.] ‘If thou wilt enter into life,’ Christ says, ‘keep the commandments.’ [Matthew 19:17.] Live out My law ‘as the apple of thine eye.’ God’s commandments, obeyed, are ‘life unto those that find them, and health to all their flesh.’ [Proverbs 7:2; 4:22.]

Testimonies for the Church, vol. 6

Chapter 26—God’s Design in Our Sanitariums

6T 224.3

In the preparation of a people for the Lord’s second coming a great work is to be accomplished through the promulgation of health principles. The people are to be instructed in regard to the needs of the physical organism and the value of healthful living as taught in the Scriptures, that the bodies which God has created may be presented to Him a living sacrifice, fitted to render Him acceptable service. There is a great work to be done for suffering humanity in relieving their sufferings by the use of the natural agencies that God has provided and in teaching them how to prevent sickness by the regulation of the appetites and passions. The people should be taught that transgression of the laws of nature is transgression of the laws of God. They should be taught the truth in physical as well as in spiritual lines that “the fear of the Lord tendeth to life.” Proverbs 19:23. “If thou wilt enter into life,” Christ says, “keep the commandments.” Matthew 19:17. Live out My law as the apple of thine eye.” Proverbs 7:2. God’s commandments, obeyed, are “life unto those that find them, and health to all their flesh.” Proverbs 4:22.

The Kress Collection

God’s Design in Establishing Sanitariums

KC 13.6

“For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life.” John 3:16. Our health institutions must be conducted on life saving principles. Those who are suffering because of transgression of physical laws are to be taught that transgression of the laws of nature is the transgression of the law of God. “If thou wilt enter into life,” Christ says, “keep the commandments.” Matthew 19:17. Live out my law “as the apple of thine eye.” Proverbs 7:2.

Testimony Treasures, vol. 2

To Promulgate Health Principles

2TT 482.2

In the preparation of a people for the Lord’s second coming a great work is to be accomplished through the promulgation of health principles. The people are to be instructed in regard to the needs of the physical organism and the value of healthful living as taught in the Scriptures, that the bodies which God has created may be presented to Him a living sacrifice, fitted to render Him acceptable service. There is a great work to be done for suffering humanity in relieving their sufferings by the use of the natural agencies that God has provided and in teaching them how to prevent sickness by the regulation of the appetites and passions. The people should be taught that transgression of the laws of nature is transgression of the laws of God. They should be taught the truth in physical as well as in spiritual lines that “the fear of the Lord tendeth to life.” Proverbs 19:23. “If thou wilt enter into life,” Christ says, “keep the commandments.” Matthew 19:17. Live out “My law as the apple of thine eye.” Proverbs 7:2. God’s commandments, obeyed, are “life unto those that find them, and health to all their flesh.” Proverbs 4:22.

Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 14 (1899)

Ms 166, 1899

14LtMs, Ms 166, 1899, par. 12

“God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.” John 3:16. Our health institutions must be conducted on life saving principles. Those who are suffering because of transgression of physical laws are to be taught that transgression of the laws of nature is transgression of the laws of God. “If thou wilt enter into life,” Christ says, “keep the commandments.” Matthew 19:17. Live out My law “as the apple of thine eye.” Proverbs 7:2.

Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 14 (1899)

Lt 205, 1899

14LtMs, Lt 205, 1899, par. 4

“God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.” [John 3:16.] The institutions established must be conducted on lifesaving principles. The souls who are suffering because of transgression of the laws which govern their bodies are to be taught that transgression of the laws of nature is transgression of the laws of God. “If ye would enter into life,” He says, “keep the commandments. Live out the law as the apple of thine eye.” [Matthew 19:17; Proverbs 7:2.]

Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 17 (1902)

Ms 116, 1902

17LtMs, Ms 116, 1902, par. 15

This is the position in which we, as Seventh-day Adventists, are standing. We are standing in the breach, working to restore in the hearts of men and women respect for God’s law. We are trying to point out to others the true, genuine Sabbath that should be observed by the people of God. We do not intend to keep our peace when we see a fellow being walking contrary to the law of God. To those who are accepting a spurious Sabbath, we will not say, “We have no light for you;” for we have. God’s law has been broken and forsaken, and human laws have been constructed to take the place of His commandments. Our work is to “build up the old waste places;” to “raise up the foundations of many generations.” [Verse 12.] His paths, which are to be restored, are safe paths; for He says, “Keep My commandments, and live; and My law as the apple of thine eye.” [Proverbs 7:2.]

Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 21 (1906)

Ms 146, 1906

21LtMs, Ms 146, 1906, par. 72

A child was struck, just before we came here, with a piece of wood, and it destroyed the sight of the eye. Oh, what sadness. That mother walked the room almost desperate. Her husband was in Africa. But what could be done? The apple of the eye. Well, now, let us every one of us keep His law as He says, “the apple of the eye.” [Proverbs 7:2.]

Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 22 (1907)

Lt 388, 1907

22LtMs, Lt 388, 1907, par. 7

The Word of God is true. Faith takes hold of the divine Word; whereas feeling is naught else but something that eclipses faith in a “Thus saith the Word of the living God.” “If thou wilt enter into life,” Christ says, “keep the commandments.” [Matthew 19:17.] Live out My law “as the apple of thine eye.” God’s commandments, obeyed, are “life unto those that find them, and health to all their flesh.” [Proverbs 7:2; 4:22.]

Testimonies on Sexual Behavior, Adultery, and Divorce

Chapter 29—Four Unholy Ministers

TSB 206.1

The sacred is brought down and so interwoven with lust and impure, unholy practices that the victim is confused, and the soul temple becomes a sink of iniquity. At first the unsuspecting only listen; they receive the liberties of preference shown them; then the education goes on until “as an ox goeth to the slaughter, or as a fool to the correction of the stocks” (Proverbs 7:22), they follow in the steps of the tempter and go fully as far as he would lead them.—Letter 82, 1886.

Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 4 (1883 - 1886)

Lt 82, 1886

4LtMs, Lt 82, 1886, par. 6

The coy, complying disposition of women or girls to the advances and familiarity of men, married men, leads them to be easily entrapped. The man who should watch for souls in order to save them watches for opportunities and occasions to ruin them. There are so many who have little fixedness of principle, who come into contact with the men who preach the truth; and some of these educate and refine iniquity before them, clothing it in angel robes; and as their own hearts are not garrisoned with fixed, unswerving principles, the work of ruin is speedily accomplished. The sacred is brought down and so interwoven with lust and impure, unholy practices that the victim is confused and the soul temple becomes a sink of iniquity. At first the unsuspecting only listen; they receive the liberties of preference shown them; then the education goes on until “as an ox going to the slaughter or as a fool to the correction of the stocks” (Proverbs 7:22), they follow in the steps of the tempter and go fully as far as he would lead them.

With God at Dawn

Attend My Words, April 24

WGD 116.1

Hearken unto me now therefore, O ye children, and attend to the words of my mouth. Let not thine heart decline to her ways, go not astray in her paths. Proverbs 7:24, 25.

Patriarchs and Prophets

Chapter 41—Apostasy at the Jordan

PP 457.2

The Israelites, who could not be overcome by the arms or by the enchantments of Midian, fell a prey to her harlots. Such is the power that woman, enlisted in the service of Satan, has exerted to entrap and destroy souls. “She hath cast down many wounded: yea, many strong men have been slain by her.” Proverbs 7:26. It was thus that the children of Seth were seduced from their integrity, and the holy seed became corrupt. It was thus that Joseph was tempted. Thus Samson betrayed his strength, the defense of Israel, into the hands of the Philistines. Here David stumbled. And Solomon, the wisest of kings, who had thrice been called the beloved of his God, became a slave of passion, and sacrificed his integrity to the same bewitching power.

From Eternity Past

Chapter 41—How Balaam Led Israel Into Sin

EP 323.3

The Israelites who could not be overcome by arms or the enchantments of Midian fell a prey to her harlots. Such is the power that woman, enlisted in the service of Satan, has exerted to destroy souls. “She hath cast down many wounded: yea, many strong men have been slain by her.” Proverbs 7:26. It was thus that Joseph was tempted. Thus Samson betrayed his strength into the hands of the Philistines. Here David stumbled. And Solomon, the wisest of kings, became a slave of passion and sacrificed his integrity to the same bewitching power.