BIBLE students have long been impressed by the account of Moses being called of God to lead the children of Israel out of bondage, of Samuel's divine call while he was serving in the temple under Eli, and similar instances of worthy men who were chosen of God to serve Him and voice His messages. Judging by the Scriptures, we are led to conclude that the Israelites seldom were without someone who was sufficiently unselfish, consecrated, and spiritually expectant to listen for and hear the voice of God. Perhaps in many instances it was the seer's own highest sense of right and good which directed him and which he interpreted as God's voice. Writing in "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures" (p. 321) of Moses' experience in the healing of leprosy with himself, Mrs. Eddy states that "God had lessened Moses' fear by this proof in divine Science, and the inward voice became to him the voice of God, which said: 'It shall come to pass, if they will not believe thee, neither hearken to the voice of the first sign, that they will believe the voice of the latter sign.'"
The Scriptures state concerning some of the ancient worthies that the angel of the Lord spoke to them, giving warning, admonition, or direction according to the special need. Notable among the Old Testament characters who received divine messages were Abraham, Balaam, Gideon, and Elijah. The nature and meaning of their experiences and the angelic messages which came to Mary and Joseph regarding the birth of Jesus are clarified by this inspired statement from Science and Health (p. 298): "Angels are pure thoughts from God, winged with Truth and Love, no matter what their individualism may be." Even though the angel-messages which came to some seemed not so explicitly and personally directed as was the call which came to the child Samuel, nevertheless they carried conviction and inspiration to the auditors and were accepted and acted upon by them.
Judging by his words it is evident that Christ Jesus was assured of the ever-presence of God, the Father, with whom he communed freely, frequently, and familiarly. We may infer from his inspiring declaratory and petitionary prayer recorded in the seventeenth chapter of John's Gospel, that the Master had heard God's voice directing him in the choice of his disciples and in every phase of his healing and redemptive work. Before Jesus began his public ministry "the heavens were opened unto him, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove, and lighting upon him: and lo a voice from heaven, saying, This is my beloved son, in whom I am well pleased." Verily Jesus was called of God to do His will among men, and he heard and heeded the call to the exclusion of all other interests. Thus he healed the sick, overcame sin and death, and became the Way-shower for all men and all time.
