The Call to the Prophetic Office

The call to the prophetic office comes from God to the individual chosen. It comes in different ways, but always with convincing power and authority. Of the prophet it may be truthfully said: “No man taketh this honor unto himself, but he that is called of God, as was Aaron.” Hebrews 5:4. Men may be chosen by men to fill official positions in the church of God, but they cannot be made prophets by men. Another writer has appropriately said: “The prophets did not inherit the office nor receive it by human appointment, but were chosen, prepared, and called of God; and the call was often heart-searching.”AGP 24.1

It is a serious and perilous thing for one whom the Lord has not called to this sacred office to attempt to place himself there. Yet through the centuries some have done this daring thing, as we know from the following statement: “I have not sent these prophets, yet they ran: I have not spoken to them, yet they prophesied.” “Behold, I am against the prophets, saith the Lord, that use their tongues, and say, He saith.” Jeremiah 23:21, 31. Of one who presumptuously assumed this very sacred responsibility we read: “Then said the prophet Jeremiah unto Hananiah the prophet, Hear now, Hananiah: The Lord hath not sent thee; but thou makest this people to trust in a lie. Therefore thus saith the Lord: Behold, I will cast thee from off the face of the earth: this year thou shalt die.” Jeremiah 28:15, 16.AGP 24.2

It is likewise perilous for one called to that high office to be disobedient to the instruction given him. This is clearly revealed by the following account:AGP 24.3

“Behold, there came a man of God out of Judah by the word of the Lord unto Bethel…. And the king said unto the man of God, ComeAGP 24.4

home with me, and refresh thyself, and I will give thee a reward. And the man of God said unto the king, If thou wilt give me half thine house, I will not go in with thee, neither will I eat bread nor drink water in this place: for so was it charged me by the word of the Lord, saying, Eat no bread, nor drink water, nor turn again by the same way that thou camest. So he went another way, and returned not by the way that he came to Bethel.” 1 Kings 13:1-10.AGP 25.1

But while pursuing his journey homeward, this “man of God” was again tempted to disobey the divine orders, and he yielded to the urgent appeal of another to go to his home and eat bread. Verses 15-19. Having accepted this hospitality in disobedience to the instruction of the Lord, he departed for his home. “And when he was gone, a lion met him by the way, and slew him: and his carcass was cast in the way.” And it was said by those who found the dead prophet: “It is the man of God, who was disobedient unto the word of the Lord.” Verses 24, 26.AGP 25.2

The prophet Jeremiah gave a most impressive account of the call that came to him:AGP 25.3

“The word of the Lord came unto me, saying, … I sanctified thee, and I ordained thee a prophet unto the nations…. Thou shalt go to all that I shall send thee, and whatsoever I command thee thou shalt speak…. Then the Lord put forth His hand, and touched my mouth. And the Lord said unto me, Behold, I have put My words in thy mouth.” Jeremiah 1:4-9.

Of his call to the prophetic office, Amos declared:AGP 25.4

“I was no prophet, neither was I a prophet’s son; but I was a herdman, and a gatherer of sycamore fruit: and the Lord took me as I followed the flock, and the Lord said unto me, Go, prophesy unto My people Israel.” Amos 7:14, 15.

In only one instance recorded in the Scriptures was the divine call sent through a messenger instead of being given directly by the Lord Himself, and that was through direct, divine instruction. It was the call to Elisha. To the prophet Elijah the Lord said:AGP 25.5

“Elisha the son of Shaphat of Abel-meholah shalt thou anoint to be prophet in thy room.” “So he departed thence, and found Elisha the son of Shaphat, who was plowing with twelve yoke of oxen before him, andAGP 25.6

he with the twelfth: and Elijah passed by him, and cast his mantle upon him. And he left the oxen, and ran after Elijah, … and ministered unto him.” 1 Kings 19:16, 19-21.AGP 26.1

It is therefore obvious that in whatever way the call came to men, it was clear, convincing, and imperative. Paul, who was a prophet, an apostle, and an evangelist, was so deeply impressed by the call that came to him that he cried out: “Woe is unto me, if I preach not the gospel!” 1 Corinthians 9:16.AGP 26.2