Whom the Lord Calls by H.

Pacific Press Publishing Association · Mountain View, California · May 19, 1909

FromSigns of the Times, Vol. 36, No. 20.

Whom the Lord Calls

By H.

GOD’S work in the earth has been committed to men. Not to one class of men does the call to service come; not upon one class does the burden rest. King David had his place; Moses had his. Upon each of these great responsibility was placed, not because of their position in the world, but because of their position at the head of God’s people. But upon the humble workers a proportionate burden rested. Amos, “who was among the herdsmen of Tekoa,” bore a decided message to both the houses of Israel. He recognized the responsibility placed upon him, and faithfully warned the wicked kingdoms of Israel and Judah to turn from their sins, put away their idols, and worship God.

He told them of the pestilences and sure destruction which would certainly follow their course of sin. He told them how offensive in the sight of God were their doings. In his simple, straightforward speech, rich in rural figures, he delivered his message, declaring, “Thus the Lord Jehovah showed me.” To Israel the message struck home. When Amos told them that the Lord had set a plumbline in their midst, by which their crookedness and broken-down condition were made apparent, “Amaziah, the priest of Bethel, sent to Jeroboam, king of Israel, saying, Amos hath conspired against thee.” To Amos he said, “O thou seer, go, flee thou away into the land of Judah, and there eat thy bread, and prophesy there.”

But Amos did not fear the king, nor would he leave Israel until he had delivered his message. It was not his work which he was doing, but the work of the Lord, as he told Amaziah, “I was no prophet, neither was I a prophet’s son; but I was a herdsman, and a dresser of sycamore-trees: and Jehovah took me from following the flock, and Jehovah said unto me, Go, prophesy unto My people Israel. Now therefore hear thou the word of Jehovah.”

He was only a herdsman, but the Lord called him. With the call of the Lord and a message from Him, he was fully equipped for doing his duty. Fearlessly he did that duty, even tho opposed by the priest himself. With a “thus the Lord Jehovah showed me,” he could declare, “The end is come upon my people Israel; I will not again pass by them any more.”

To-day the Lord calls many a humble one to work for Him in His vineyard. To every one He gives a message and a charge; to every one He gives strength and wisdom for the work. While we may say with Amos, “I was no prophet, neither was I a prophet’s son,” we can say, too, that “Jehovah took me,” and said unto me, “Go.” And if the Lord has said, Go, delay not to make His work the chief concern of the life. His commission is definite; His promise is broad; His reward is sure. H.