UNDERSTANDING OF THE TIMES
1 Chronicles 12:32, “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.”
Introduction:
The men of Issachar were men who understood the times in which they lived. They realized it was time to make David King over Israel. 1 Chronicles 12:38, “All these men of war, that could keep rank, came with a perfect heart to Hebron, to make David king over all Israel: and all the rest also of Israel were of one heart to make David king.”
I wonder if we in our generation are as wise as those men were in David’s time. It is time we made Jesus King in our lives and exhibit the wisdom and knowledge that the men of David’s day showed.
I. WISE MEN
Esther 1:13, “Then the king said to the wise men, which knew the times, (for so was the king’s manner toward all that knew law and judgment:”
A. Men of wisdom, Isaiah 33:6, “And wisdom and knowledge shall be the STABILITY of thy times, and STRENGTH of salvation: the FEAR of the LORD is his treasure.”
1. Stability [ faithfulness ] in their times, 1 Corinthians 4:17, “For this cause have I sent unto you Timotheus, who is my beloved son, and faithful in the Lord, who shall bring you into remembrance of my ways which be in Christ, as I teach every where in every church.”
2. Strength [ riches ] of salvation, Psalm 28:8, “The LORD is their strength, and he is the saving strength of his anointed.”
3. The fear [ reverence ] of the Lord is his treasure, Job 28:28, “And unto man he said, Behold, the fear of the Lord, that is wisdom; and to depart from evil is understanding.”
a. Their hearts were right, Matthew 6:21, “For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.”
b. Their head was on right, Isaiah 26:3, “Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee: because he trusteth in thee.
B. Men of Knowledge
1. The beginning of knowledge, Proverbs 1:7, “The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge: but fools despise wisdom and instruction.”
2. These are men of understanding, Proverbs 2:10-11, “When wisdom entereth into thine heart, and knowledge is pleasant unto thy soul; 11 Discretion shall preserve thee, understanding shall keep thee:”
II. MEN WHO HAVE SINGLENESS OF HEART
A. Men of courage, 1 Chronicles 12:33, “Of Zebulun, such as went forth to battle, expert in war, with all instruments of war, fifty thousand, which could keep rank: they were not of double heart.”
B. Men in which there was no deceit, John 1:47, “Jesus saw Nathanael coming to him, and saith of him, Behold an Israelite indeed, in whom is no guile.”
C. Men of conviction, Psalm 12:1-2, “Help, LORD; for the godly man ceaseth; for the faithful fail from among the children of men. 2They speak vanity every one with his neighbour: with flattering lips and with a double heart do they speak.”
1. Well versed in political affairs, Proverbs 24:5, “A wise man is strong; yea, a man of knowledge increaseth strength.”
2. Men strengthened by their knowledge of God, Ecclesiastes 7:19, “Wisdom strengtheneth the wise more than ten mighty men which are in the city.”
3. Men who knew what was proper to be done, Ephesians 5:17, “Wherefore be ye not unwise, but understanding what the will of the Lord is.”
III. MEN DETERMINED TO DO GOD’S WILL
A. These men were soldiers with a purpose, Psalm 144:1-2, “Blessed be the LORD my strength, which teacheth my hands to war, and my fingers to fight: 2 My goodness, and my fortress; my high tower, and my deliverer; my shield, and he in whom I trust; who subdueth my people under me.”
B. These were men with one aim, to make David king of Israel, Acts 2:46, “And they, continuing daily with one accord in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, did eat their meat with gladness and singleness of heart,”
C. They rejoiced at their decision to make David King of Israel, 1 Chronicles 12:40, “Moreover they that were nigh them, even unto Issachar and Zebulun and Naphtali, brought bread on asses, and on camels, and on mules, and on oxen, and meat, meal, cakes of figs, and bunches of raisins, and wine, and oil, and oxen, and sheep abundantly: for there was joy in Israel.”
CONCLUSION
David was made King of Israel and the nation prospered. David was a great king. The Lord said of David in Acts 13:22b, “I have found David the son of Jesse, a man after mine own heart, which shall fulfil all my will.”
Jesus is the rightful heir to David’s throne. Have we made Jesus our King or is He waiting still to be enthroned in our hearts. Are we men of wisdom and understanding of the times?