And the LORD took me as I followed the flock, and the LORD said unto me, Go, prophesy unto my people Israel.
And the Lord took me as I followed the flock. So David was taken (2 Samuel 7:8; Psalms 78:70-71). Messiah is the antitypical Shepherd, (Psalms 23:1-6; John 10:1.) The breed of sheep and goats, naaqaad, from which he took his special name as 'shepherd,' noqeed (H5349) (Amos 1:1), is still known by the same name in Arabia; a stunted, thin, and ugly breed (whence arose the proverb, viler than a naaqaad), but famed for their wool. As Peter and Andrew, James and John, left their nets and their father, and as Matthew left the receipt of custom, at the Lord's call-so Ames left his sheep and the sycamore trees at the summons of God, to go in his shepherd's costume to the idolatrous temple of the state, and denounce the idolatry practiced by the king and people there. This he did in the reign of Jeroboam II, the most powerful of the Israelite kings; and at a time of great national prosperity he boldly foretold the termination of the royal line, and the captivity of the people.
And the Lord said unto me, Go, prophesy unto my people Israel - against (Maurer); so Amos 7:16. Yahweh claims them still as His by right, though slighting His authority. God would recover them to His service by the prophet's ministry.