JOSEPH #36 | JOSEPH IN EGYPT #18 | LAST WORDS OF JACOB #7
Pastor Christopher Choo
Lesson 3632
JOSEPH #36
JOSEPH IN EGYPT #18
LAST WORDS OF JACOB #7
5. ISSACHAR #2
ISSACHAR'S SPIRIT OF DISCERNMENT
1 Chronicles 12:33
"Of Issachar, men who had an understanding of the times, to know what Israel ought to do, 200 chiefs, and all their kinsmen under their command."
As we approach the end of the age and the difficult times associated with it, the Church must become more and more like the sons of Issachar in its ability to understand the times and know what to do.
We must learn how to draw on God’s prophetic word to guide us through the chaos of our days in preparation for the future from generation to generation.
The sons of Issachar were those that knew which season it was.
This sounds like a family gifting passed on from Issachar, a son of Jacob, to the next generation and by possible implication to further generations.
The tribe of Issachar was the chief advisor to the Kings. They were so sharp and so spiritually astute, that the whole nation depended on them to know what they ought to do and when they ought to do it.
Their ability to discern the times and seasons was an incredible advantage:
That ability gave them inside knowledge and understanding of God's activities.
They were not taken by surprise when things happened.
They had an influence as a result of their unique ability to understand the times and seasons.
They knew what Israel should do and when it should be done.
The nation followed their example.
Let us see examples of their spiritual acumen from the Bible:
1. They supported Deborah a female judge when it may not have been popular.
Why did they do it?
Because they could discern the times and seasons, and they knew God's hand was on her and it was her time to rule.
2. They supported King David before he became king– when he was NOT popular with King Saul, who was in power at the time.
They knew that his time had come as they could discern the changing of the times.
What is our takehome lesson today?
We need this anointing to discern our times as never before.
1. God is no respecter of persons. He can bless us with the same gifting.
Romans 2:11 says, “For there is no partiality with God.”
2. In Christ Jesus, all the blessings God gave Abraham (and his descendants, the Jews) also belong to us. Galatians 3:9 tells us: “So then those who are of faith are blessed with believing Abraham.”
Let us pray for this gifting so that we are able to understand and be prepared for the sudden changes brought about by our unpredictable weather, climate change, environmental disasters, terrorism, pandemics like the Covid 19 virus and sudden shifts in worldwide and local politics.
