Know the Time

Know the Times

“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 two hundred; and all their brethren were at their commandment.” (1 Chronicles 12:32)

The tribes of Israel collectively united behind David in his bid for rule of Judah. God had given them a Benjamite, Saul, as king for a time, but now David had been anointed, and it was the time to give “the sceptre” to Judah, according to the prophecy of their father, Jacob, given over 600 years before (Genesis 49:10) The sceptre shall not depart from Judah, nor a lawgiver from between his feet, until Shiloh come; and unto him shall the gathering of the people be.. In today’s lesson we find David in conflict with King Saul who had been approved of God out of season at the demand of Israel to be given a king as other nations around them. Until that day they had been ruled by prophets and Judges. As each of the twelve tribes were upon to fight for David or descent, the number of volunteers were written. All these numbers we are given except for those of Issachar. But of these 200 listed leaders, all their brethren followed them in turning to David. The reason for their unanimity in this decision was that these leaders “had understanding of the times, to know what Israel ought to do.” It was time to “turn the kingdom” to David, “according to the word of the LORD” (1 Chronicles 12:23) And these are the numbers of the bands that were ready armed to the war, and came to David to Hebron, to turn the kingdom of Saul to him, according to the word of the LORD..

We are at the mark in time today where we desperately need leaders and warriors akin spiritually to the “sons of Issachar,” understanding these times! We must understand our calling and follow that timeline set ny God. Christ told the apostles: “It is not for you to know the times or the seasons” (Acts 1:7); it was more urgent that they proceed to witness for Him “unto the uttermost part of the earth” (v. 8). If we claim to know the time, place and conditions of God’s program we are misled or are special envoys for our Creator.

Nevertheless, They understood that He would return to the earth in some generation. He will come again and the word is “BE YE READY.” The generation living at that time should be expecteing (when they would see all these things) to “know that it is near, even at the doors” (Matthew 24:33). They could understand the signs, and even though they should never attempt to guess the date, they could “look up, . . . for your redemption draweth nigh” (Luke 21:28), when they would see “these things begin to come to pass.”

The signs are everywhere, yet few of our leaders—Christian politicians included—seem to understand the real meaning of these times. Christ is “even at the doors!” Keep a sharp look toward the eastern sky, Jesus could come any day for his bride. Know God, know peace. Amen 04-04-2019 BLL