| CENTRAL THOUGHT |
Understanding the times we are in will enable us to order our lives well.
TEXT: 1 CHR. 12:32; 2 TIM. 3:1-8; ROM. 13:11-14
INTRODUCTION:
As we all know, we have limited time to live here on earth. Therefore, time is an important factor in life. For us to be able to make optimum use of the time at our disposal, it is imperative that we have a good understanding of the times we are in. Understanding the times is the ability to discover and discuss the season we are in. we should also try to find out what the future has in stock for us on the basis of the happenings of the present times. Failure to understand the times and use it appropriately is likely to result in not achieving our set goals which may lead to unpleasant consequences in life.
Bearing in mind that God is the One that controls time, we must therefore seek to have good understanding of the times we are in to live acceptably before Him. This study will help us understand the times we are in and what we should be doing.
LESSON OBJECTIVES
- To know who the men of Issachar were
- Examine what the Bible said about the men of Issachar, and the importance of time to man
- Find out why other tribes brought with them men of war, arms, and all instruments of war.
- Examine why we think David needed the men of Issachar as part of his team and what we can learn
- Describe the times we are living in, the dangers of operating without being mindful of the times we are in
- Understand the times we are living in and how it will help us shape our lives
BIBLE TRUTH:
QUESTION 1A) WHO WERE THE MEN OF ISSACHAR? 1 CHRON. 2:1-2; 7:1-5
To start with, Issachar was one of the sons of Jacob. He was the fifth son that Leah gave birth to for Jacob (Gen. 33:17-18). The men of Issachar expanded to become one of the twelve tribes of Israel. The total number of mighty warriors from all the clans of the tribe of Issachar were eighty-seven thousand. All of them were listed in their genealogical records.
QUESTION 1B) READ GENESIS 49:14-15. WHAT CAN YOU MAKE ON THE PROPHECY CONCERNING THE MEN OF ISSACHAR?
(Hint: Donkey denotes submission).
The prophecy concerning the men of Issachar described them as a tough donkey. We know that a donkey is a beast of burden. Amplified translations say, “Issachar is a strong-boned donkey crouching down between the sheepfolds. And he saw that rest was good, and that the land was pleasant; and bowed his shoulder to bear (his burdens) and became a servant to tribute”.
The men of Issachar got to a place of rest and did not realize that that was not their final destination. They saw that the place was good and pleasant, they gave up their freedom and decided to work as slaves under forced labor.
QUESTION 2A) WHAT DID THE BIBLE SAY ABOUT THE MEN OF ISSACHAR? (1 CHRON. 12:32)
The men of Issachar were men who had understanding of the times, with knowledge of what Israel ought to do. Their leaders were two hundred and all their relatives were at their command. In other words, they had a firm control of their brethren.
QUESTION 2B) WHAT DO YOU UNDERSTAND BY TIMES IN THIS CONTEXT? (1 CHRON. 12:32)
Times in this context refers to the extent of our sojourn here on earth and how we use our time knowing that God is the One that made the time available to us. The Psalmist realized this truth when he stated, “my times are in your hands” (Ps. 31:15; 90:12).
QUESTION 2C) WHY IS TIME SO IMPORTANT TO MAN? (PS. 90:12; ECCL. 3:1-8;17)
Time is very important to man because the time we have here on earth is limited and it is only God that knows the length of time each one has to live. Therefore, it is very essential that we make good use of our time. May God teach us to number our days so we can apply our hearts unto wisdom. This means that we need to use our time wisely and be intentional in maximizing it. We should note that to everything there is a season and time for every matter or purpose under the heaven, and as such, there is a time appointed for every purpose and work. It behooves every one of us to learn to redeem the time, for the days are evil (Eph. 5:16).
QUESTION 3A) OTHER TRIBES BROUGHT WITH THEM MEN OF WAR, ARMS, AND ALL INSTRUMENTS OF WAR. WHAT THEN DO YOU THINK DAVID STANDS TO GAIN BY HAVING MEN OF ISSACHAR AS PART OF HIS TEAM? ANY LESSONS?
Although the other tribes brought with them men of war, arms, and all instruments of war, however David decided to have men of Issachar as part of his team. They understood and had knowledge of the times and could discern what Israel ought to do at any point in time. They were visionary. This is a very crucial attribute. “Wisdom is better than weapons of war” (Eccl. 9:18). Also, “wisdom is greater than strength” (Eccl. 9:16).
The lessons we can learn from this are: we must realize that “no man makes it in this life by sheer muscle” (1 Sam. 2:9), the Word of God clearly states that “wisdom is profitable to direct” (Eccl. 10:10).
QUESTION 3B) SUGGEST HOW MEN OF ISSACHAR COULD HAVE COME TO UNDERSTAND THE TIMES THEY WERE LIVING IN.
The men of Issachar could have come to understand the times they were living in because they understood God’s purpose for them. They knew what Israel ought to do. In other words, the men of Issachar were focused and were eager in pursuing God’s purpose for His people.
QUESTION 4A) FROM THE FOLLOWING SCRIPTURES DESCRIBE THE TIMES WE ARE IN. (MATT. 24:4-14; 2 TIM. 3:1-8; 1 TIM. 4:1-3)
The times we are in can be described as the last days and perilous times. Many will come saying that they are the Christ and will deceive many. Wars and rumors of war are the order of the day. Nations are rising against nations. Famines, pestilences, and earthquakes are prevalent in some countries of the world today. There is so much evil, corruption, and immorality, and because of this the love of many will wax cold. Some have become lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boastful, proud, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy, without love, unforgiving, slanderous, without self-control, brutal, not lovers of the good, treacherous, rash, conceited, and lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God. Some have departed from the faith, have given heed to seducing spirits and doctrines of the devil. All these constitute the signs of the end times we are in.
QUESTION 4B) WHAT ARE THE DANGERS OF OPERATING WITHOUT BEING MINDFUL OF THE TIMES WE ARE IN? (EPH. 5:14, 16-17; 1 PETER 5:8; ROM. 13:12)
There are many dangers associated with operating without being mindful of the times we are in. If we fail to be mindful, we will become prey to the devil. The Scriptures enjoin us to be sober, be vigilant because our adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, is walking about looking for whom he may devour. If we are unmindful of the times, we will not be conscious of the fact that the night is far spent, the day is at hand, and as such, we will not cast off the works of darkness and put on the armor of light.
QUESTION 4C) HOW WOULD THE UNDERSTANDING OF THE TIMES WE ARE IN HELP US TO SHAPE OUR LIVES? (PS. 90:12; ROM. 13:11-14)
A good understanding of the times we are in is very crucial in helping us to organize our lives and live it optimally. It is only God that knows how long each one of us will spend on earth. Since the length of the time we spend here on earth is limited, we need to ask God to teach us to number our days so we can apply our hearts unto wisdom. Therefore, we must apply our time wisely in all we do because any time lost can never be recovered. We must make sure that we do not get so absorbed and exhausted in taking care of our day-to-day obligations that we lose track of the times we are in and our focus on God. We know that it is high time we should awake from our slumber: for now is our salvation nearer than when we first believed. We should put away the works of darkness and put on the armor of light. It is imperative that we put on the Lord Jesus Christ and make no provisions for the flesh to fulfill its lusts. We are in the end times; we should take heed how we make use of our time.
DAILY LIVING APPLICATION:
Our time here on earth is limited. Our life span is known only by God. We must endeavor to seek the will of God, understand His plan for our lives and this generation. A good knowledge of the word of God and being conversant with the current trend of events is very crucial in helping us live acceptably. Such understanding will enable us to remain steadfast, unmovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord. Above all, we keep our focus on Christ, the Author and Finisher of our faith.
MEMORY VERSE:
1 Chron. 12:32
“And 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.”
DAILY DEVOTIONAL GUIDE:
MON: Men notably described in a nation. 1 Chron. 12:32
TUE: Meditate on Psa. 31:15
WED: Wisdom to number our days. Ps. 90:12; Eccl. 3:1-8
THU: Benefits of walking in wisdom. Eccl: 9:16; 18; 10:10
FRI: Danger of careless living. Eph. 5:14, 16-17; 1 Peter 5:8
SAT: Time to awake out of sleep. Rom. 13:11-14