Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 14 (1899)

Ms 114, 1899

God’s Provision

August 13, 1899 [typed]

Portions of this manuscript are published in LHU 62; 5MR 305-306.

“And there came a man from Baal-Shalisha, and brought the man of God bread of the first fruits, twenty loaves of barley, and full ears of corn in the husk thereof, and he said, Give unto the people, that they may eat. And his servitor said, What, should I set this before an hundred men? He said again, Give the people, that they may eat; for thus saith the Lord, They shall eat, and shall leave thereof. So he set it before them, and they did eat, and left thereof, according to the word of the Lord.” [2 Kings 4:42-44.] 14LtMs, Ms 114, 1899, par. 1

He who worked this miracle in behalf of one hundred men in Old Testament times wrought a similar wonder for five thousand when as a man He preached the gospel to men. In the wilderness Christ supplied His people not only with bread but with clear flowing streams. The Coming One cast His glory upon the people He was guiding as upon those He educated in His humanity, and to whom He declared, “Before Abraham was, I AM.” [John 8:58.] Christ walked this earth in lowliness and poverty, but He was greater than Moses. 14LtMs, Ms 114, 1899, par. 2

It is the grace of God on the small portion that makes it all-sufficient. God’s hand can multiply it an hundredfold. From His resources He can spread a table in the wilderness for more than a million of people. By the touch of His hand God can increase His scanty provision and make it sufficient for all. It was His power that increased the loaves and corn in the hands of the sons of the prophets. 14LtMs, Ms 114, 1899, par. 3

The Lord has given His life to the trees and vines of His creation. His word can increase or decrease the fruit of the land. If men would open their understanding to discern the relation between nature and nature’s God, faithful acknowledgements of the Creator’s power would be heard. Without the life of God, nature would die. His creative works are dependent on Him. He bestows life-giving properties on all that nature produces. We are to regard the trees laden with fruit as the gift of God, just as much as though He placed the fruit in our hands. 14LtMs, Ms 114, 1899, par. 4

Prophets and teachers and servants of God had foretold the events which would take place under the gospel message, and the interest of the wise men of all nations was awakened in the Desire of Ages who was soon to come. And at last the promised One came. “The Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth.” [John 1:14.] 14LtMs, Ms 114, 1899, par. 5

By the parable of the householder, who went into a far country after delivering to his servants his goods, Christ is represented. He is watching and waiting for fruit from those to whom He has entrusted His vineyard. The chosen people, refused to be convicted of sin, and when God sent His Son, they said, “This is the heir, come, let us kill him, and the inheritance will be ours.” [Mark 12:7.] Today the Lord is looking upon His vineyard. The walls are broken down through transgression of His law. He sees the ingratitude of His stewards, who refuse to render to Him the fruits of His ground. 14LtMs, Ms 114, 1899, par. 6

God does not design that men shall appropriate all that the earth produces for their own selfish purposes. He calls upon them to bring their tithes and offerings into His storehouse, that there may be meat in His house. In India, China, Russia, and the cities of America, thousands of men and women are dying of starvation. The monied men, because they have the power, control the market. They purchase at low rates all they can obtain, and then sell at greatly increased prices. This means starvation to the poorer classes, and will result in a civil war. 14LtMs, Ms 114, 1899, par. 7

There will be a time of trouble such as never was since there was a nation. “And at that time shall Michael stand up, the great prince which standeth for the children of thy people; and there shall be a time of trouble, such as never was since there was a nation, even to that same time; and at that time thy people shall be delivered, everyone that shall be found written in the book. ... Many shall be purified, and made white, and tried; but the wicked shall do wickedly, and none of the wicked shall understand, but the wise shall understand.” [Daniel 12:1, 10.] 14LtMs, Ms 114, 1899, par. 8