(Post by: Lilly Hobbs)
I have long been intrigued by somewhat of an obscure passage found within the Old Testament, almost a throwaway comment, about a group of men within the people of Israel.
They were known as the men of Issachar.
Though not much information is provided regarding the men of Issachar, we do know Issachar himself was the fifth son of Jacob and Leah. Issachar had four sons, and went with his father into Egypt, where he died and was then buried.
Afterward, his descendants formed one of the tribes of Israel, and by the end of the wanderings of Israel through the wilderness, Scripture states they numbered more than 60,000 fighting men. When the Promised Land was apportioned, the men of Issachar received 16 cities as well as their adjoining villages.
The men of Issachar did not hesitate to follow one of their own, the great female judge Deborah, into battle to break the stronghold of the Canaanites. A minor judge, Tola, was also among them, as were two kings known as Baasha and his son, Elah.
When Solomon established the 12 administrative districts of Israel, Issachar’s territory became one of those independent provinces. In the book of Revelation, the tribe of Issachar is again mentioned where 12,000 were sealed.
However, what is most intriguing about this tribe is that by the time of David, then numbering nearly 90,000, they were known specifically for their wisdom.
1 Chronicles 12:32 says, “From the tribe of Issachar, there were 200 leaders… All these men understood the signs of the times and knew the best course for Israel to take.”
Notice the nature of their wisdom.
They knew the “signs of the times” and how to best live in light of them. What a powerful and important combination, a type of wisdom I believe we are lacking in our modern day.
First, it is crucial we know the signs of the times.
To know the signs of the times is much more than reading news headlines and knowing popular reel audios. In fact, it’s knowing what is significant about the happenings of our world. It’s knowing what is shaping us, forming us, and molding us. It’s wholeheartedly believing that we are alive in a time full of significance, positioned uniquely in the story of the world that God is writing as we progress day-by-day toward the final chapter.
We cannot just stop there, though.
The men of Issachar didn’t simply know those signs, but they were also aware of how to then live in light of them. They had a sense of what to think, how to act, and the manner in which to respond to the things taking place around them.
Do we truly know the role our lives have to play considering the time in which we live if we wish to make a difference for the Kingdom?
Surely being aware of the signs of the times and knowing how then to live must be one of the most pressing challenges we face as Christians.
We must know the nature of the world, the challenges of our generation, the war between good and evil, the direction the culture is headed, how most people are responding to the Church, to Scripture, as well as to Christians.
Our answers to the questions above then determine how we should live. They should direct us in how to practically live a life of meaning, impact, and influence for the cause of Christ and for eternity.
Most importantly, the Church must engage and take its place in the vanguard of cultural engagement and missional force.
The challenge the men of Issachar present us with is a challenge that will require great bravery, tremendous sacrifice, and unending effort.
Are you one of the few who will accept this challenge? To know the signs of the times and how to live in light of them?
You should, and you can start making a difference in your little corner of the world this very day!
Imitating the men of Issachar could change our world, but if nothing else, it will undoubtedly change you.
SO, WHAT IS YOUR RESPONSE?
= How can you begin to imitate the men of Issachar this week?
= Do you believe you are capable of doing hard things?
= What are you going to do differently?
The Few 
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