King Saul has died. It is now time for David to take the throne. He was chosen by God, but some of God’s people were not accepting his taking over the kingdom. There were those who came to support God’s chosen. Groups of soldiers were described in various ways: those that bore shields and spears, mighty men of valor, kindred of Saul, experts in war, a thousand captains, those skilled in instruments of war. These came by the hundreds and by the thousands. They came with different talents and skills.
One group, those of the tribe of Issachar, were described as being men that understood the times (First Chronicles 12:32). The number of this group was the smallest of those that pledged their allegiance. Their talents were not in making weapons and maybe not even in using them, but their skill was knowing the times in which they lived.
So what does that mean? It means they understood their surroundings. They were weather-wise so they could advise the people about the proper time for ploughing, planting, and harvesting. They knew about ceremonies; they understood public affairs, and tendencies of present-day issues. They gained the trust of the people because of their observation and experience. They knew David ought to be king. They assessed the situation, reasoned with one another, and shared with their people what they should do. Matthew Henry says they knew how to rule and they engaged themselves with a perfect heart. Their interests were all for public good.
Do you know someone like that today? Is there someone who assesses a situation, thinks about it, weighs the consequences, and then decides the best course of action? This is the kind of person we should all strive to be like.
Paul told the Ephesians, “Look carefully then how you walk, not as unwise but as wise, making the best use of the time, because the days are evil. Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the will of the Lord is” (Ephesians 5:15-17 ESV). The King James Version reads, “See then that ye walk circumspectly, not as fools, but as wise.” That word “circumspectly” means to walk strictly. Do not walk loosely. The Pharisees were those that walked as foolish men. They wanted to add their own limitations to the Ten Commandments, imposing on others rules by which they were unwilling to live. They did not live what they taught. They didn’t make the best use of their time. They were too concerned about the letter of the law and not the heart of it.
We can sometimes be like the Pharisees. We want to teach the strict teaching of rules and regulations without truly understanding the heart of what goes into those instructions from the Lord. We must obey, but we must understand and help others to understand that in everything we need to do things God’s way.
The second part of that verse says, “because the days are evil.” The presence of evil is difficult enough, but when we live under those who rule unwisely, the presence of evil diminishes love and zeal in the Christian. A person finds it very difficult to live a godly life if they live under rules that cannot be followed because of their law-givers not understanding the times. That doesn’t mean we should accept things just because “everyone is doing it.” It means we sometimes need to adapt ourselves to the current situation based on the circumstances.
The next verse helps explain what I mean. We are to understand what the will of the Lord is. Notice that Paul doesn’t say do what we want to do. We are to “understand” what the Lord expects of us. Personal Bible study, worship, Bible classes, instruction from godly elders can all help us to “understand” the will of the Lord.
In the parable of the sower in Matthew 13, Jesus speaks first about the seed that fell by the wayside. Because the seeds fell out in the open, the birds came and ate them. They had no opportunity to grow. In the explanation of the parable, Jesus says that this represents one that hears the word but does not understand it. The wicked one then comes and steals the things planted in the heart. This is an example of one that does not truly understand what he has been taught.
The men of Issachar were valuable to David as he began his rule of God’s people. He was fortunate to be surrounded by men who were capable warriors, those that could supply what David would need to go into battle, men who were physically able to fight against the strong adversaries he and his army would confront. He was also surrounded by a small group of men who understood the times—what the circumstances were, what the natural elements God had provided could tell them. They were no less capable because of the size, and their support was most important to the success of David’s army.
May God help us to be people of understanding the times, knowing how to use the situations that exist to further spread the Gospel.
Sandra Oliver