UNDERSTANDING THE TIMES

August 2021 

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Lessons from the Sons of Issachar 

 

“The sons of Issachar who had understanding of the times, 

to know what Israel ought to do.” 

1 Chronicles 12:32 

 

Issachar was Leah’s 5th son by Jacob. (Genesis 30:18): 

“The sons of Leah were Reuben, Jacob’s firstborn, and Simeon, Levi, Judah, 

Issachar, and Zebulun.” 

(Genesis35:2) 

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Leah had already given Jacob four sons including Judah - the tribe from which Jesus was to come, but she desperately wanted another son. The context of how this happened (Genesis 30) might seem strange to our modern western mindset but they were strange times then – but are we not also living in strange times now? 

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The major point is that in wanting another son and giving birth to Issachar Leah was contributing to the 12 Tribes of Israel - and therefore to the purposes of God. 

 

Near the end of his life Jacob called his sons and said, “Gather together, that I may tell you what shall befall you in the last days.” (Genesis 49:1) And then: “He blessed them; he blessed each one according to his own blessing.” 

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Jacob had some hard words for some of his sons but of Issachar he prophesied: 

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“Issachar is a strong donkey,
Lying down between two burdens;
He saw that rest was good,
And that the land was pleasant;
He bowed his shoulder to bear a burden,
And became a band of slaves. 

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Once again there are some strange words here and commentators can only guess at what Jacob really meant, but it certainly seems that he is saying that the descendants of Issachar will be characterised by a servant heart when he uses the words: “strong donkey/burden-bearer/band of slaves” 

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If we want to be involved in God’s purposes and if we are to be leaders within that, the first essential quality we need to have is a SERVANT HEART. Jesus came into this world as God’s Servant, He came - not to be served - but to serve God’s purposes and dare I say it – to serve us! How amazing He was/is! 

 

In the times of the Judges, the tribe of Issachar was outstanding. Deborah the prophetess was a judge during a time when the Israelites were being oppressed by Jabin king of Canaan. Deborah prophesied that Barak was the one to go out and 

defeat him - which Barak agreed to do - but only if Deborah went with him.  When God gave him a great victory over Sisera, the commander of Jabin’s army and his 900 iron chariots, Deborah and Barak sang a song of victory giving glory to God but also recognising the importance of the leaders and the people in the way in which they cooperated together in the purposes of God at that moment: 

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“When the leaders lead in Israel 

When the people willingly offer themselves, 

Bless the Lord!” (Judges 5:1-2)  

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“My heart is with the rulers of Israel 

Who offered themselves willingly with the people, 

Bless the LORD (v9) 

 

While others like the tribes of Gilead, Dan and Asher stayed away, Zebulun and Naphtali and the tribe of Issachar offered themselves willingly. This tribe was willing to follow a woman, which was totally unheard of - but they understood the times. 

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The Song of Deborah goes on to say: 

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“The princes of Issachar were with Deborah;
As Issachar, so was Barak
Sent into the valley under his command;
Among the divisions of Reuben
There were great resolves of heart.” 

and “there were great searchings of heart.” 

(Judges 5:15-16) 

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Everything we say/do whether it is good or bad proceeds from our heart. To be involved in the purposes of God and to understand the times in which we are living our hearts need to be right before God: 

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“Search me, O God, and know my heart;
Try me, and know my anxieties;
And see if there is any wicked way in me,
And lead me in the way everlasting.” 

Psalm 139:22-24 

 

Some years later, we find the tribe of Issachar again playing a key role in a history making event – the establishment of David - the man after God’s heart,  as King of Israel.  

 

It was in this context that the Bible says: 

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“The sons of Issachar who had understanding of the times,  

to know what Israel ought to do…  

All these men of war, who could keep ranks, came to Hebron with a loyal 

heart, to make David king over all Israel.”  

(1 Chronicles 7:32-38) 

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Notice that – because they had an understanding of the times

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• They knew what to do.

• They knew their function (they kept ranks) 

• They had the right heart (loyal to God, David, each other). 

 

They had understanding of the times – historically and prophetically. They knew that in the past Samuel had anointed David secretly to become the next king after Saul. They understood that David was God’s appointed one (2 Samuel 3:18)  and they aligned themselves with God’s will.   

 

They understood that this was the right moment for David to be made king over all the tribes of Israel and they willingly helped to make that happen. 

 

For us, God’s people living in the End Times we await the coming of David’s greater Son, King Jesus who will bring us into the fulness of God’s eternal plan of the Ages. 

 

Until then we can learn some good lessons from the sons of Issachar and apply them to our own lives. 

 

What can we learn for our own leadership in times like these? What do we need? 

 

As we are living in these end times: 

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• We need an understanding of what God has done in the past

• We need an understanding of the ultimate purposes of God  ​

  • From an understanding of God’s Word 

• We need an understanding of what God is doing and what He wants us to do 

• By hearing what the Spirit is saying to us (Rev 2:7) 

• We need to have the right kind of heart: 

 

• A clean/clear heart before God

• A servant heart. 

• A heart that searches out God’s will 

• A heart that resolves to do the right thing 

  • A loyal heart that works with others who are also being led by the Spirit 

  • A heart that knows what we ought to do – and does it! 

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THE KING IS COMING! 

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