"Becoming Issacharites"

 

“Becoming Issacharites”

 

Many of us who have read through the Bible have been tempted to skip over certain parts  because on the surface they appear irrelevant. Such a section is 1 Chronicles 1-12 which, except for a brief portion describing the end of Saul’s reign and beginning of David’s in Chapters 10 and 11, lists various genealogies of jaw-breaking names of obscure people. But since “Every word of God is flawless….” (Proverbs 30:5, emphasis added) and “All Scripture is God-breathed….” (2 Timothy 3:16, emphasis added) even these passages have their purpose and therefore a message for us. I learned this best from Dr. Bruce Shelley, my Church History Professor in seminary, when he called the class’s attention to 1 Chronicles 12:32 and the “…men of Issachar, who understood the times and knew what Israel should do….” (emphasis added), He wisely utilized this easily overlooked statement to  challenge us to be aware of what’s happening in our world and how we as God’s people ought to respond.

Permit me to take liberties with an old saying: “You can take a preacher out of the pulpit but you can’t take the pulpit out of a preacher!” Guilty as charged! So when I last read this verse God gave me an outline for a message which I may never bring other than here. From the example of the men of Issachar we see that it’s….

*Time to Size Up (they understood the times). They carefully observed the conditions in which they were living. You and I must be aware of cultural trends and ask ourselves, “What does the Scripture say?” (Romans 4:3—see the previous posting) about them.

*Time to Wise Up (they knew). The Hebrew word has the idea of knowing by observation and experience. After seeing God’s wonders Job said to Him, “I know you can do all things…now my eyes have seen you….” (Job 42:2,5). We see evidence of His hand all around us—how will we respond?

*Time to Rise Up (do). We can’t sit back but must take action (“…It is a sin to know what you ought to do and then not do it.”—James 4:17, NLT). Will we as part of the Body of Christ rise up?

In about 58 AD Paul wrote, “…Do this, understanding the present time. The hour has come for you to wake up from your slumber, because our salvation is nearer now than when we first believed.” (Romans 13:11, emphasis added). How much nearer? About 1963 years. In this 21^st century we must know our times, know the truth and take a stand. Will we become Issacharites before it’s too late?

 

Grace and Blessings!

Jim McMillan