Understanding The Times

Hello Everyone,
In 1 Chronicles chapter 12 there is a list of Warriors who have joined David and who helped him in battle. Not much is said about the Warriors until it gets to verse 32 and then scripture slows down just a little and says:

“men of Issachar, who understood the times and knew what Israel should do…”

The word “understood” represents two words in the Hebrew.
The first means “to know” and indicates personal, practical knowledge. It implies a deep understanding, a keen awareness, discernment, or a competence.

The second means “understanding, insight discernment” it emphasizes these men’s sense of understanding.

“Understood the times”: According to God’s sovereign wisdom, He has a season and a time for all His purposes and for the fulfillment of His promises.

Ecclesiastes 3:1 There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under heaven:

We see this in the realm of nature, and also in His Kingdom, where there are appointed times.

Psalms 102:13 You will arise and have compassion on Zion, for it is time to show favor to her; the appointed time has come.

So there are appointed times and there also seasons of change.

Isaiah 43:18 "Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past. 19 See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the desert and streams in the wasteland.

These appointed times and seasons of change are crucial and important in His ongoing redemptive purpose.

The MESSAGE has not changed but the METHODS must.

Scripture reveals again and again how God’s people are often blind to what He is doing or about to do.

Israel as a whole was blind and ignorant when God “in the Fullness of time sent His Son to be their Messiah”.

Likewise, to often the church doesn’t know or discern when God is fulfilling some aspect of His purpose.

The men of Issachar from among Israel’s 12 tribes understood the times.

Discernment of God’s times and seasons is necessary in order to cooperate with God in purposeful action and to embrace or sustain a God-given vision during times of change.

Don’t serve God out of religious habit look around and see what New Thing God is doing in this age and then join Him.

Oh How He Loves Us!
Pastor Phil