The Lord gave His word to ancient Israel, that if they would cleave strictly to Him and do all His requirements, He would keep them from all the diseases such as He had brought upon the Egyptians; but this promise was given on the condition of obedience. Had the Israelites obeyed the instruction they received, and profited by their advantages, they would have been the world’s object lesson of health and prosperity. The Israelites failed of fulfilling God’s purpose, and thus failed of receiving the blessings that might have been theirs. But in Joseph and Daniel, in Moses and Elijah, and many others, we have noble examples of the results of the true plan of living. Like faithfulness today will produce like results. To us it is written: “Ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should show forth the praises of Him who hath called you out of darkness into His marvelous light.” 1 Peter 2:9. {9T 165.1}

(165) Herren gav det gamle Israel sit ord på, at hvis de ville holde sig helt til ham og følge alle hans befalinger, ville han bevare dem fra alle de sygdomme, han havde sendt over ægypterne; men dette løfte blev givet på betingelse af lydighed. Havde israelitterne fulgt den undervisning, de fik og draget nytte af disse fordele, ville deres sundhed og fremgang være blevet en anskuelsesundervisning for verden. Israelitterne undlod at opfylde Guds hensigt og gik derfor glip af de velsignelser, de kunne have fået. Men i Josef og Daniel, Moses og Elias og mange andre har vi ædle eksempler på, hvad den sande plan for livet medfører. En lignende trofasthed i dag vil give lignende resultater. Til os står der skrevet: »I er en udvalgt slægt, et kongeligt præsteskab, et helligt folk, et ejendomsfolk, for at I skal forkynde hans guddomskraft, som kaldte jer fra mørket til sit underfulde lys.« 1 Pet. 2,9