A New Direction

FRIDAY September 26

Further Study: Read Ellen G. White, "The Call of Isaiah," pp. 303-310, in Prophets and Kings.

"This assurance of the final fulfillment of God's purpose brought courage to the heart of Isaiah. What though earthly powers array themselves against Judah? What though the Lord's messenger meet with opposition and resistance? Isaiah had seen the King, the Lord of hosts; he had heard the song of the seraphim, 'The whole earth is full of his glory' (verse 3); he had the promise that the messages of Jehovah to backsliding Judah would be accompanied by the convicting power of the Holy Spirit; and the prophet was nerved for the work before him. Throughout his long and arduous mission he carried with him the memory of this vision. For sixty years or more he stood before the children of Judah as a prophet of hope, waxing bolder and still bolder in his predictions of the future triumph of the church."—Ellen G. White, "The Call of Isaiah," Advent Review and Sabbath Herald, March 11, 1915.

"The exhortations of the prophet to Judah to behold the living God, and to accept His gracious offers, were not in vain. There were some who gave earnest heed, and who turned from their idols to the worship of Jehovah. They learned to see in their Maker love and mercy and tender compassion. And in the dark days that were to come in the history of Judah, when only a remnant were to be left in the land, the prophet's words were to continue bearing fruit in decided reformation. 'At that day,' declared Isaiah, 'shall a man look to his Maker, and his eyes shall have respect to the Holy One of Israel.' (Isa. 17:7)."—Ellen G. White, Prophets and Kings, p. 320.

Discussion Questions: Why is a prophet never popular? Imagine if Isaiah came back to life and functioned as a prophet to the Adventist Church. What do you think He would have to say? Would His message have changed? What about our views toward Ellen G. White? Are many of us, perhaps, doing the same thing to her that many in Israel did to their own prophets? Discuss.

Just what role do we have in the worldwide mission of the Seventh-day Adventist church? How do we balance our own local needs, our own local outreach, with the divine call to spread this message to the world? How can we be faithful to both callings?

Summary:

The prophet Isaiah accepted a mission from God that was unpopular and, in many ways, unrewarding. It was also a mission that ended with his being sawn in half. And yet, through his ministry, lives were changed—and the power of His words is still felt today.

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		I N S I D E Story
		A New Direction by JEAN GILBERT GAETAN I'm from southern Haiti. When I was young, my father wanted me to become a priest. Every day after school I spent time with a priest, learning the teachings of our church. But when I started secondary school, I lived with my sister. I found other passions, karate and the cinema. I made new friends at my new school, friends of every religion. I realized that not everyone believed as I did, and I began examining the beliefs of my friends. I joined a Protestant church, but I kept my beliefs a secret from my parents, for I knew they wouldn't be happy if they found out. I read the Bible in secret and went to church services only at night, when my friends wouldn't see me and tell my sister or my parents. Two of my friends were Adventists; they invited me to some evangelistic meetings, but I wanted to go to the movies instead. However, one night toward the end of the series, I had nothing to do and went to the evangelistic meeting. The pastor's message was so compelling that when he invited those who wanted to take a stand for God and be baptized, I stood up. Some people objected, knowing that I had not attended all the meetings. They feared that I was playing with God, but I Was serious! I told my family that I was an Adventist. Mother objected, but I was determined to stand true to my new faith. I was 18 at the time, old enough to make such a decision. But I still was under my parents' rule. Life became difficult at home. Mother refused to cook without pork, so many days I went without food. But I felt strong. My parents refused to pay my school fees or buy me clothes, but God provided someone to pay my school fees and give me clothes. My parents are disappointed that I didn't become a priest, and to this day I'm the only one in the family to become an Adventist. I pray that my family will embrace the truth I've found. Thank you for your mission offerings, which helped finance the evangelistic meetings that brought me to God. JEAN GILBERT GAETAN (left) has completed his ministerial studies and is a pastor in Haiti.
		Produced by the General Conference Office of Mission Awareness. email: info@adventistmission.org website: www.adventistmission.org