DUTY by Jos. Clarke

Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Aug 3, 1876

DUTY

By Jos. Clarke

JONAH was commanded to warn Nineveh of approaching ruin. It was a positive, unconditional command, and it was his duty to comply with this command without questioning or delay; but the cautious prophet saw difficulties in the way, and they seemed like mountains to him. What if the people should repent, and the judgments be stayed or withheld? Where would his reputation be? and what would people think of him? for Jonah was a man of his word, and could not bear reproach. But the event proved that Jonah would have done a far nobler act had he promptly obeyed the word of the Lord, without questioning or delay. Then no great miracle would have been needed to drive the timorous prophet to his work.

Jonah’s history is a fit warning against unbelief and contempt for God’s word in these last days. A world must be warned of approaching ruin, yet the Jonahs of this time are quite as apt at making excuses, and at raising objections, as was the prophet of whom we have been remarking in this brief article. The work of warning the present generation is now being done. It differs from the errand of Jonah in this, that here is no condition of delay. The time is short; the end must certainly come; and some will be warned.

Means are called for, talent is demanded, time and labor must be given. Shall we, like Jonah, hesitate till the last moment, and then await the result in despondency and gloom? No, let us be doing our work with cheerfulness and hope, and soon the reward will come. Jos. Clarke.