At the time of Census, (Numbers 26:23-24), the children of the four sons of Issachar numbered some 64,300. Issachar, Zebulun and their offspring were instrumental in the battles of their nation. Issachar's offspring had great effect in the battle of Deborah and Barak (Judges 5:15) and in fact their home territory was the scene of several key battles in ancient times including those of Gideon (Judges 7) and Saul (1 Samuel 28).
An interesting thing is said of these two men's offspring which contrast well with each other. Among the descriptions of the children of Zebulun we find that they were: "Expert in war with all weapons of war, stout-hearted men who could keep ranks" (1 Chronicles 12:33). Among the descriptions of the offspring of Issachar we find them as "men who had understanding of the times, who knew what Israel should do. (1 Chronicles 12:32).
KNOWLEDGE OF THE TIMES
The offspring of Issachar had understanding of the times--knowing what Israel ought to do. I would venture to suggest that today they might be called secretariats or diplomats. Knowledge of the timing of vital decisions is going to be paramount in the days to come.
In my experience there is a lack of soldiers in the rank and file of God's army who are able to understand the times, and wisdom to advise and bring counsel to the leaders about what they should do. The Psalmist cried out, "We do not see our signs: there is no longer any prophet, nor is there any among us who knows how long." (Psalm 74:9). Jesus also lamented the lack of understanding among those He knew personally, saying, "You know how to interpret the appearance of the sky, yet you cannot interpret the signs of the times!" (Matthew 24:1.)
Another area this applies to, is using wisdom and perceptiveness, to understand God's timing of prophetic seasons in the church, and the timing of His Word to the church.
One of the short fallings of the current prophetic movement is that, for all the zeal, many times the word of God is thwarted because prophetic people miss the timing of God in delivery of His word. It is a painful thing for us to be sure of the calling of God and know His word, yet see Him resist our ministry. And resist it He will if we have been presumptuous to give His word out of season.
What a wonderful testimony we have of at least one of God's servants who had wisdom: Samuel. Here is a man who was not only a leader and prophet of the Lord, but also a judge for Israel, and in regards to his prophetic insight... he got it right 100% of the time! The Lord trusted this servant and "let none of his words fall to the ground" (1 Samuel 3:19.)
God is not so often in as much a hurry as we are. He does not care to 'empower' ministries He cannot trust and neither can He give words to those who will try to 'establish' their own authenticity in ministry! As it says "have you not heard what I determined long ago? I planned from days of old, what I now bring to pass?" (2 Kings 19:25). The Lord does reveal His plans to His servants the prophets, things which he planned a long time ago (Amos 3:7), but He will only act on those plans revealed in His time.
The Lord is less concerned about establishing the servant’s reputation as a trusted vessel, as He is about establishing His plans in His time. He would rather we give the right word at the right time and glorify Him, than run around saying, 'I'm a prophet - my calling is that office'.
WISDOM, REVELATION AND HUMILITY
There is a real need to couple our faith and enthusiasm with wisdom and understanding. We are found so often to be running ahead of God. Proverbs comments later that "An inheritance gained hastily at the beginning will not be blessed at the end" (Proverbs 20:21). To know God’s timing is paramount to success. In the coming battles, the Lord will again promote those who know the timing of the Lord, who know what the Church should do - and when!
As Paul prayed, we need to couple our revelation with wisdom (Ephesians 1:17). We need to understand the judgments of the Lord. As Jeremiah lamented: "The stork in the heavens knows her appointed times, and the Turtledove, swallow and crane observe their times of coming, yet My people do not know the judgments of the Lord." (Jer. 8:7).
Knowing the judgments of the Lord is a hard thing, knowing what He will do at one time or another, discerning His hand on the events of a person’s life or in the church. This truly takes wisdom. We do need to couple revelation with wisdom. We need to be in less of a rush, and slow down to hear God more clearly.
What I mean here is, wait on God for the interpretation, and the application instead of spouting out to everyone your revelation! Just because you had a vision, saw an angel, went to heaven in a dream, does not mean it will be helpful to share it, unless you know what it meant, and know how to apply it, that is coupling revelation with wisdom! We can have wisdom that is borne from above, if we just ask...
Scripture promises that "If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him. But when he asks, he must believe and not doubt." (James 1:5 )
WHAT ABOUT HUMILITY?
There are three Character traits which I think are vital to any ministry, if it is going to survive in these final days, and bring lasting goodness to the Body - Wisdom, Revelation and Humility. I have discussed the first two, but humility is the clincher! --especially for those who are gifted in some revelatory way. Prophetic people MUST master pride. The need for self promotion, the need to be heard is, at the core, PRIDE. The need to be heard is a flaw, a weakness which is debilitating. We must master it if we are to be brought to maturity in Christ's gift for us.
James chapter four states that "God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble. Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. Come near to God and He will come near to you. Wash your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded. Grieve, mourn and wail. Change your laughter to mourning and your joy to gloom. Humble yourselves before the Lord, and He will lift you up." (James 4:6-10, cf. 1 Peter 5:5)
We should be looking to promote our brother. To make room for ourselves speaks of a deep seated insecurity and immaturity. This evidences itself in our trying to be known and be seen to be the prophet, instead of finding our security of purpose in Christ. Indeed God will resist our pride, but promote that which stems from humility.
He is right now searching the whole earth for a habitation in which to dwell - and this He finds in a humble heart: "It shall be said, ‘Build up, build up, prepare the way, remove every obstruction from My people's way. For thus says the high and lofty one who inhabits eternity, whose name is Holy: I dwell in the high and holy place, and also with those who are contrite and humble in spirit, to revive the spirit of the humble, and to revive the heart of the contrite.’" (Isaiah 57:14, 15 NRSV)
THE KIND OF LEADER CHRIST RAISES
Christ teaches us that to lead in the church you must be a servant of all and any who would go to the places of leadership, must first sit at the lowest place on the table. Paul reminds us that God will exalt only the humble and He will destroy the proud.
To be an apostle or a prophet means to be at the bottom of the ladder, not the top, to be ones who serve all, not Lord it over others. Do not deceive yourself, if you set you heart on selfish gain, you will not be trusted with this ministry.
The church needs wise leaders (young or old) who will father the church - those whose heart is set on building up and promoting others, not themselves - those who will solve dispute, and teach and reprove. In the land that Issachar inherited was the town of Abel - which king Joab had besieged and was about to destroy.
A wise lady in this city came forward to declare this wonderful account of this city: "Then she said, 'They used to say in the old days - Let them inquire at Abel; and so they would settle a matter. I am one of those who are peaceable and faithful in Israel; you seek to destroy a city that is a mother in Israel; why will you swallow up the heritage of the Lord?' " [emphasis mine] (2 Sam 20: 14- 22, esp. 18).
The region had a spirit of reconciliation, wisdom and maturity that had become a mother in Israel. People would resolve their differences and unity would grow because of their ministry. They would inquire of the wise children of Issachar about the matter.
This is this kind of ministry the Lord loves to bless, one that is devoted to unite His people - not striving to lead, but wisely counseling. We should seek to serve, not lead; to bear one another’s burdens, not make more; to provide wise counsel which unites, builds up and encourages our brothers and sisters.
Reprinted by permission for
The Prophet's Pen by Pam Clark