I like keeping in touch with what’s going on around me. If I think about how many news sources I check throughout the day, it’s more than just a couple. Before I start work in the morning I do a quick run through of the CBC.ca web site to see what’s happening in the homeland. Mid-day I’ll usually eat my lunch at my desk and do quick once through of the CNN web news. When I get home we often watch one of the local news broadcasts as well as one of the national broadcasts on the tube. And then, I’ll get online and check out a few more news and/or sports and/or entertainment related sites. Mostly headlines and glancing . . . reading a few of the stories in depth . . . just a desire to keep in touch. Even though this world is not my home, I just think it’s important to be know what’s going on. Maybe that’s why the following jumped out at me as I was reading 1Chronicles this morning.

I’m in chapter 12 . . . reading through a roll of “the numbers of the divisions of the armed troops who came to David in Hebron” (1Chron. 12:23). Big army! . . . “From day to day men came to David to help him, until there was a great army, like an army of God” (12:22). 6,800 from Judah . . . 7,100 from Simeon . . . 20,800 from the tribe of Ephraim . . . 50,000 of seasoned troops of Zebulun . . . 120,000 from the tribes who settled on the east side of the Jordan. If I’m reading it right, the total army size would have been well over 350,000 fighting men. Impressive! But what stood out was a bit of commentary on the men from Issachar . . . what seems to have been an Issachar distinctive.

“Of Issachar, men who had understanding of the times, to know what Israel ought to do, 200 chiefs, and all their kinsmen under their command.” (1Chronicles 12:32 ESV)

The leaders of Issachar had understanding of the times and knew what Israel ought to do. I looked at a couple of commentaries this morning. Some would understand these men to be astrologers and astronomers who were familiar with the physical sciences . . . they knew the seasons and what Israel should be doing during each of them . . . they were learned men and even learned men joined the army. Others say it is best interpreted as they were politically savvy . . . familiar with the finer points of public affairs and able to provide counsel as to how to navigate the relationships with the nations surrounding Israel . . . they were statesmen and you needed statesmen in your military.

I’m sure the strict literal meaning is with these learned men, but as I read of this Issachar distinctive this morning, it hit me as being that these guys were very aware, very astute, and very wise. They knew what was happening in their world around them . . . they understood the times . . . they picked up on the nuances of the spirit of the age . . . they had their ears on and their eyes open . . . and they could counsel David and the nation how to skillfully maneuver through the prevailing culture about them. And as I read it . . . I wanted to be an Issacharite.

It’s one thing to know what’s going on around me and around the world . . . easy to read or listen to the news and get the facts . . . but then to have understanding . . . and to know how to respond . . . I’m thinking that calls for a bit wisdom from above. Oh, to have the mind of Christ as I encounter this world. To be able to see what’s going on with His eyes . . . to internalize it with His heart . . . to react as Jesus would react . . . that, it seems to me, is understanding the times and knowing what to do.

“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)

That, by the grace of God, I might possess this Issachar distinctive . . . that I might too be a discerning soldier in the great army of God . . . that I might walk wisely in enemy territory . . . for His glory . . . amen.