UNDERSTANDING OF THE TIMES

“Of the sons of Issachar who had UNDERSTANDING of the TIMES, to know what Israel ought to do...” – 1 Chronicles 12:32a

It is God’s Will that His children demonstrate UNDERSTANDING of the TIMES: “Of the sons of Issachar who had UNDERSTANDING of the TIMES, to know what Israel ought to do, their chiefs were two hundred; and all their brethren were at their command” (1 Chr.12:32). God orders the times: “And He changes the times and the seasons...He gives wisdom to the wise and knowledge to those who have understanding” (Dan.2:21). He wants us to understand the Times and Seasons ordained for definite purposes in order to know what to do in every season – His expectations in particular seasons: “To everything there is a season, a time for every purpose under heaven” (Ecc.3:1).

When King David was gathering an army together at Hebron, he distinguished the sons of Issachar from the ranks, because of their unusual gift to discern the times. Their insight enabled the King and Israel to know what Israel ought to do, and “their brethren were at their command” This gift is particularly valuable in times of uncertainty as most people are so anxious about their personal lives, they rarely discern the times.

Jesus was critical of his generation for their inability to discern the times: “Whenever you see a cloud rising out of the west, immediately you say, ‘A shower is coming’; and so it is. And when you see the south wind blow, you say, ‘There will be hot weather’; and there is. Hypocrites! You can discern the face of the sky and of the earth, but how is it you do not discern this time?” (Lk.12: 54-56). They were so steeped in their religious tradition; they missed what was right in front of them. They could discern natural things with precision, but missed the apparent spiritual shift The Messiah they read about in the synagogue all their lives was with them, and they could not discern the times.

Paul spoke to that same generation about knowing the times: “And do this, knowing the time, that now it is high time to awake out of sleep; for now our salvation is nearer than when we first believed. The night is far spent, the day is at hand. Therefore let us cast off the works of darkness, and let us put on the armor of light...” (Rom.13: 11-14).

The main distinction between the Old and New Testaments as concerning the times is, the latter introduces eternity – matters of Salvation and Everlasting Life. Here on earth, there is a temptation to focus on daily living more than things eternal, and therefore miss what is in front of us like those who missed Jesus. We must be like the sons of Issachar, knowing what to do in specific times and seasons. Let us in these uncertain times, look to Jesus, the Pioneer and Perfecter of our Faith, as the Spirit of Truth grants us understanding of the times.