The Importance of Understanding the Times (Part 1)

I don’t know if you’ve noticed but prophets are in fashion. The prophetic is trending in most Christian circles. Especially in charismatic environments, the highest praise that many pursue is to be recognized or called “prophets.” And I think we should practice better discernment in associating or identifying people, events, or movements as “prophetic.”

And this is not just my recommendation, but the Apostle John warned us that we must test the spirits:

Dear friends, do not believe everyone who claims to speak by the Spirit. You must test them to see if the spirit they have comes from God. For there are many false prophets in the world.

1 John 4:1 NLT

I am convinced that the failure to prove or search out the spiritual source of people puts us at risk of being deceived. A spiritual laziness permeates our ecclesiastical circles making people susceptible to believing everything they hear. Furthermore, I suspect that the desperation of individuals to receive “a word” or “a prophecy” is where the danger lies. And honestly, I think many practice a form of idolatry by focusing on prophecies instead of focusing on relating to God directly.

Please do not misinterpret me. I believe in prophecies. Therefore, I believe in the prophetic gift and in the office of the prophet. However, I argue that we need to discern (and evaluate) just as the Bible prescribes.

I write all this because I have recently heard a lot about the sons of Issachar. And as I reflected and meditated on them, I perceived some things that many preachers do not say or point out.

Introduction about the sons of Issachar

When people preach about “the sons (or descendants) of Issachar,” they always invite the listener to BE LIKE the “sons of Issachar.” Preachers encourage believers to imitate the skill (or gift) and grace in which they operated. Many preachers associate the sons of Issachar with being prophets.

The famous verse about the “sons of Issachar” that many preach is the following:

And of the children of Issachar, which were men that had understanding of the times, to know what Israel ought to do; the heads of them were 200; and all their brethren were at their commandment.

1 Chronicles 12:32 KJV

The interpretation of this passage leads many to conclude that the descendants of Issachar were skillful and accurate counselors. The fact that “everyone followed” their advice tells us they enjoyed credibility backed by hard facts. Many conclude that Israel’s war victories were directly related to the council of the “sons of Issachar.”

The verse from 1 Chronicles 12:32 is intertwined with the story of David’s process of becoming king over all of Israel. In this chapter of the Bible, the reader is made aware of the number of people who joined David’s army to confirm him as king. It is an impressive story because it emphasizes the unity of the Israelites as they distance themselves from King Saul to ally themselves with David.

Several details are significant in the narrative. But, in this post, I want to focus on a small detail.

Let’s look at the numbers and figures

Due to my experience as an engineer, I have a mathematically inclined mind. Therefore, numbers almost always catch my attention. As I began to meditate on the sons of Issachar, the number of chiefs in their tribe intrigued me.

Notice the Bible says “200 leaders.” Other versions write “200 chiefs.” Let’s focus on the number 200.

Now, compare this figure with all the other numbers of warriors and officers who joined David from each tribe (1 Chronicles 12:23-37):

• 6,800 warriors from the tribe Judah
• 7,100 warriors from the tribe of Simeon
• 4,600 warriors from the tribe of Levi
• 3,000 warriors from the tribe of Benjamin
• 20,800 warriors from the tribe of Ephraim
• 18,000 men from the half-tribe of Manasseh
• 200 chiefs from the tribe of Issachar
• 50,000 warriors from the tribe of Zebulun
• 1,000 officers and 37,000 warriors from the tribe of Naphtali
• 28,600 warriors from the tribe of Dan
• 40,000 warriors from the tribe of Asher
• 120,000 soldiers from the tribes of Reuben and Gad and the half-tribe of Manasseh

Adding them all together, including the 200 chiefs of the tribe of Issachar, the total is 337,100.

Looking at the scale of numbers, what is impressive to me is that the smallest number on the list is from the sons of Issachar: 200. Among so many thousands and thousands of warriors, the smallest group is that of the advisors.

Conclusion

There are several interpretations and inferences we can make based on the passage as a whole. And the Spirit of God can give us a greater understanding of the significance of this passage.

However, what I want to highlight is that to be successful, you don’t have to listen to MANY voices.

Each tribe contributed something specific and significant to David’s army. And it excites me to think that the advisors were among the smallest and most selective group in the entire army. Apparently, the Israelites had ears ready for a group of 200 leaders and no more.

So, in a world where EVERYONE would like to be like the “sons of Issachar”, I propose that there are few who are truly effective in understanding the times. Consequently, few have true revelations about what we should do presently.

I caution that we must be more discerning to identify the true “sons of Issachar” in these times.

To be continued…