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. (1 Chron 12:32)

What a man!

What a tribe!

Issachar was the fifth child of Leah, Jacob’s wife. Her mother rejoiced at her birth because she said “God hath given me my hire, because I have given my maiden to my husband” (Gen 30:18). Much more than that, the man Issachar must have gone out of his way to make himself a better man than what his birth history conferred on him. Through dint of hard work and perseverance, he became the best version of himself. In later years, it was said of him that he was a strong ass, couching down between two burdens (Gen 49:14). What a man!

Issachar grew a tribe that stood out in Israel. One of the things that stood them out was their understanding of time, and what their whole nation should do. Anyone with such understanding has the ability to control situations and events, no wonder all their brethren were at their commandment. This is what John Maxwell refers to as leading from the back. Even though the tribe was not as prestigious as the Ruebenites, not as noted as Levites and not as celebrated as Judah, yet, they commanded the respect of all and they commanded all. Why? Because they understood a simple principle…time. Time controls everything. Everything is subject to time. Haven’t you read what the Preacher said? To everything there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heavens (Ecclesiastes 3:1).

Do you know the time we are in? Read More