"Section 5—In the Southern Field “As a shepherd seeketh out his flock; ... so will I seek out My sheep, and will deliver them out of all places where they have been scattered.” Ezekiel 34:12 . Chapter 44— N eeds of the Southern Field 7T 220 The Lord expects far more of us than we have given Him in unselfish service for people of all classes in the Southern States of America. This field lies at our very doors, and in it there is a great work to be done for the Master. This work must be done now, while the angels continue to hold the four winds. There is no time to lose. 7T 220"
"As a shepherd seeketh out his flock in the day that he is among his sheep that are scattered; so will I seek out my sheep, and will deliver them out of all places where they have been scattered in the cloudy and dark day."
Ellen White directly references Ezekiel 34:12 in this passage.
"The Lord has long been waiting for human instrumentalities through whom to work. How much longer will He be obliged to wait for men and women to respond to the call: “Go work today in My vineyard”? Messengers of mercy are needed, not merely in a few places in the South, but throughout the whole field. Rich and poor are calling for the light. 7T 220.2"
"Then saith he unto his disciples, The harvest truly is plenteous, but the labourers are few;"
The EGW passage directly quotes "Go work today in My vineyard", which is a clear reference to the parable of the laborers in the vineyard.
"Men and women should now be offering themselves to carry the truth into the highways and byways of this field. There are thousands who might give themselves to God for service. He would accept them and work through them, making them messengers of peace and hope. 7T 220.3"
"Also I heard the voice of the Lord, saying, Whom shall I send, and who will go for us? Then said I, Here am I; send me."
The EGW passage speaks of men and women offering themselves for service, echoing Isaiah's response to God's call: "Here am I; send me." The theme of responding to a divine call to service is central to both passages.
"The workers will meet with many who will harden their hearts against the conviction of God's Spirit; but they will meet also with many who are hungering for the bread of life, and who, receiving the message, will go forth to sow the seeds of truth. 7T 220.4"
"When any one heareth the word of the kingdom, and understandeth it not, then cometh the wicked one, and catcheth away that which was sown in his heart. This is he which received seed by the way side."
The EGW passage describes encountering people who reject the message and others who embrace it and spread it further. This aligns with the parable of the sower in Matthew 13, where seeds fall on different types of ground, resulting in varying degrees of acceptance and growth.