Wives of Ministers
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yield to the wishes of their unconsecrated companions, the frown of
God is brought upon the dwelling. The ark of God cannot abide in the
house, because they countenance and uphold them in their wrongs.
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Our God is a jealous God. It is a fearful thing to trifle with Him.
Anciently, Achan coveted a golden wedge and a Babylonish garment,
and secreted them, and all Israel suffered; they were driven before their
enemies. And when Joshua inquired the cause, the Lord said: “Up,
sanctify the people, and say, Sanctify yourselves against tomorrow:
for thus saith the Lord God of Israel, There is an accursed thing in
the midst of thee, O Israel: thou canst not stand before thine enemies,
until ye take away the accursed thing from among you.” Achan had
sinned, and God destroyed him and all his household, with all they
possessed, and wiped the curse from Israel.
I saw that the Israel of God must arise and renew their strength in
God by renewing and keeping their covenant with Him. Covetousness,
selfishness, love of money, and love of the world, are all through
the ranks of Sabbathkeepers. These evils are destroying the spirit of
sacrifice among God’s people. Those that have this covetousness in
their hearts are not aware of it. It has gained upon them imperceptibly,
and unless it is rooted out, their destruction will be as sure as was
Achan’s. Many have taken the sacrifice from God’s altar. They love
the world, love its gain and increase, and, unless there is an entire
change in them, they will perish with the world. God has lent them
means; it is not their own, but God has made them His stewards. And
because of this, they call it their own and hoard it up. But, oh, how
quick, when the prospering hand of God is removed from them, it
is all snatched away in a moment! There must be a sacrificing for
God, a denying of self for the truth’s sake. Oh, how weak and frail is
man! How puny his arm! I saw that soon the loftiness of man is to be
brought down, and the pride of man humbled. Kings and nobles, rich
and poor, alike shall bow, and the withering plagues of God shall fall
upon them.
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