Chapter 42—Lessons from the Experience of the
Children of Israel
The Modern Church Repeating the History of Ancient Israel
1169. The trials of the children of Israel, and their attitude just
before the first coming of Christ, illustrate the position of the people
of God in their experience before the second coming of Christ.—
The
Review and Herald, February 18, 1890
.
1170. Satan’s snares are laid for us as verily as they were laid
for the children of Israel just prior to their entrance into the land of
Canaan. We are repeating the history of that people.—
Testimonies for
the Church 5:160
.
1171. Their history should be a solemn warning to us. We need
never expect that when the Lord has light for his people, Satan will
stand calmly by and make no effort to prevent them from receiving
it. Let us beware that we do not refuse the light God sends, because
it does not come in a way to please us.... If there are any who do not
see and accept the light themselves, let them not stand in the way of
others.—
Testimonies for the Church 5:728
.
1172. “I call heaven and earth to record this day against you, that
I have set before you life and death, blessing and cursing; therefore
choose life, that both thou and thy seed may live; that thou mayest
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love the Lord thy God, and that thou mayest obey his voice, and that
thou mayest cleave unto him; for he is thy life, and the length of thy
days; that thou mayest dwell in the land which the Lord sware unto
thy fathers, to Abraham, to Isaac, and to Jacob, to give them.”
This song was not historical but prophetic. While it recounted
the wonderful dealings of God with his people in the past, it also
foreshadowed the great events of the future, the final victory of the
faithful when Christ shall come the second time in power and glory.—
Patriarchs and Prophets, 467
.
1173. The apostle Paul plainly states that the experience of the
Israelites in their travels has been recorded for the benefit of those
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