I Chronicles 12:32, “And of the children of Issachar, which were men that had understanding of the times, to know what Israel ought to do...” They, the sons of Issachar, were the sons of Israel. A modern - day paraphrase “And of the children of the United States of America, which were people that had understanding of the times, to know what America ought to do....”
America needs to face the issues of the day with a Bible in her hands. This great nation needs a generation of the sons of Issachar who knows what to do for the spiritual benefit of the nation. The only way born again believers are going to influence the realm of government is to be informed enough to take action.
I Chronicles 12 is actually retrospective. It is occupied with the names of men and women who had come to the aid of David and Israel in periods of great crisis. Those people loved Israel and God’s servant, David. They were willing to work, to fight, and to rebuild if needed. Some were described as “mighty men of valor.”
Genesis 49:14 describes Jacob gathering his family together. Next Jacob gives each of his children worthy names and a description of the meaning of the name. In 49:14, “Issachar is a strong ass couching down between two burdens.” He became a servant unto tribute. A strong donkey bowing his shoulders to bear the burdens of a nation.
How can the sons of Issachar instruct we Americans in our twenty-first (21st) century? What did they know that we need to learn from?
1. They knew the history period in which they lived.
There were threats upon the nation of Israel and upon God’s people. David, God’s shepherd, was being dogged. They were aware of the national conditions. They realized the geopolitical facts, the need for better economy, and the evil that was attacking God’s people.
American Christians and churches must realize the threats and opportunities available to them. We recognize in our time slot of America that our nation is on a slippery slope of decline in morals and in spiritual awareness. Christians can no longer go “along with the crowd.” We must be courageous and take a Godly stand against an evil culture. There is no time for timidity!
American Christians must be bold!
2. They knew the Scriptures.
Issachar’s sons knew the passage from Deuteronomy 6:4-7: “Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God is one Lord: And thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thine heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy might. And these words, which I command thee this day, shall be in thine heart.”
They took this admonition in a serious manner. Because of God’s scriptures they were able to know and evaluate the fads, trends, facts and politics of their day. They found their directions and instructions in God’s Word,
In America, we must do the same. Our lecterns and pulpits must flame with righteousness always. We must turn again to the true paths of morality and dignity of life. The old adage still holds today, “hate the sin, but love the sinner.” We hate the sins of abortion, gambling, adultery, divorce, homosexuality, stealing, lying, cheating, gossip, etc. Christians must abhor the sins that God hates as in Proverbs 6:16-19, and love the things that God loves.
3. They knew what Israel should do.
These sons and grandsons of Jacob knew the practical. They had attained practical wisdom. In their battles of the day, they formulated good plans of action. The scriptures were their guide on how to live, how to react, and how to plan. As a result, they knew “what Israel should do.”
In the twenty-first (21st) century, America should see no separation between the spiritual and the secular. Our everyday life should be a reflection of our spiritual life. They should be synonymous. When you see one, you see the other.
The second President of the United States, John Adams, stated, “Christians are to be informed enough to take action for God.” What perils are threatening our nation? Are we spiritually lazy? What Bible truths need to be insisted on? What are the best measures for Godly elevation?
Christians believe that the giver of wisdom is God. The readings of wisdom are found in the Bible. We must pray for Godly Christian leaders in our government. We need to ask of the God of Providence to give us leaders in our churches to rule strongly, justly, and Godly.
To recap I Chronicles 12:32:
- The nation was on their mind.
- They were aware of the conditions.
- They were able to evaluate the facts.
- They acquired a Divine perspective.
- They had a practical knowledge.
- They knew that there was not a separation between their secular and spiritual life.
America needs to face the issues of the day with a Bible in her hands. This great nation needs a generation of the sons of Issachar who knows what to do for the spiritual benefit of the nation. The only way born again believers are going to influence the realm of government is to be informed enough to take action.
I Chronicles 12 is actually retrospective. It is occupied with the names of men and women who had come to the aid of David and Israel in periods of great crisis. Those people loved Israel and God’s servant, David. They were willing to work, to fight, and to rebuild if needed. Some were described as “mighty men of valor.”
Genesis 49:14 describes Jacob gathering his family together. Next Jacob gives each of his children worthy names and a description of the meaning of the name. In 49:14, “Issachar is a strong ass couching down between two burdens.” He became a servant unto tribute. A strong donkey bowing his shoulders to bear the burdens of a nation.
How can the sons of Issachar instruct we Americans in our twenty-first (21st) century? What did they know that we need to learn from?
1. They knew the history period in which they lived.
There were threats upon the nation of Israel and upon God’s people. David, God’s shepherd, was being dogged. They were aware of the national conditions. They realized the geopolitical facts, the need for better economy, and the evil that was attacking God’s people.
American Christians and churches must realize the threats and opportunities available to them. We recognize in our time slot of America that our nation is on a slippery slope of decline in morals and in spiritual awareness. Christians can no longer go “along with the crowd.” We must be courageous and take a Godly stand against an evil culture. There is no time for timidity!
American Christians must be bold!
2. They knew the Scriptures.
Issachar’s sons knew the passage from Deuteronomy 6:4-7: “Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God is one Lord: And thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thine heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy might. And these words, which I command thee this day, shall be in thine heart.”
They took this admonition in a serious manner. Because of God’s scriptures they were able to know and evaluate the fads, trends, facts and politics of their day. They found their directions and instructions in God’s Word,
In America, we must do the same. Our lecterns and pulpits must flame with righteousness always. We must turn again to the true paths of morality and dignity of life. The old adage still holds today, “hate the sin, but love the sinner.” We hate the sins of abortion, gambling, adultery, divorce, homosexuality, stealing, lying, cheating, gossip, etc. Christians must abhor the sins that God hates as in Proverbs 6:16-19, and love the things that God loves.
3. They knew what Israel should do.
These sons and grandsons of Jacob knew the practical. They had attained practical wisdom. In their battles of the day, they formulated good plans of action. The scriptures were their guide on how to live, how to react, and how to plan. As a result, they knew “what Israel should do.”
In the twenty-first (21st) century, America should see no separation between the spiritual and the secular. Our everyday life should be a reflection of our spiritual life. They should be synonymous. When you see one, you see the other.
The second President of the United States, John Adams, stated, “Christians are to be informed enough to take action for God.” What perils are threatening our nation? Are we spiritually lazy? What Bible truths need to be insisted on? What are the best measures for Godly elevation?
Christians believe that the giver of wisdom is God. The readings of wisdom are found in the Bible. We must pray for Godly Christian leaders in our government. We need to ask of the God of Providence to give us leaders in our churches to rule strongly, justly, and Godly.
To recap I Chronicles 12:32:
- The nation was on their mind.
- They were aware of the conditions.
- They were able to evaluate the facts.
- They acquired a Divine perspective.
- They had a practical knowledge.
- They knew that there was not a separation between their secular and spiritual life.
RSS Feed