Daily Bible Nugget #380, 1 Chronicles 12:32

The Nugget:

1Ch 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.

My Comment:

First, let me mention that these “Daily Bible Nuggets” may seem few and far between! I just recently completed the proofreading of my new major Bible reference work, a collection of yet more cross references to the Bible. Most likely this new work is enlarged beyond what was in my first book, The New Treasury of Scripture Knowledge, even more than The New Treasury of Scripture Knowledge was a considerable expansion of what was in the original Treasury of Scripture Knowledge. So this is a very large project, and no doubt represents the largest collection of cross references ever assembled for Bible study. It took from January 1 until November 3, if I recall correctly, to in effect proofread the equivalent of the whole Bible. Pray that this new work will greatly assist everyone who wishes to study the Bible in a manner that lets the Bible explain itself.

Now to today’s Bible Nugget. The “children of Issachar” were particularly gifted in their day to know what Israel ought to do because they had understanding of the times. Now, this could mean that they knew about the agricultural times and seasons, but I believe their knowledge went beyond that. In particular, they knew and understood what was needful to be done in the times at hand.

In recent news we have heard, read, or seen the violence that took place in Paris, France. There are threats of more violence coming from the same sources that claim responsibility for the violence already committed. They are threatening to extend the violence to other countries both in Europe and in North America.  Jesus told us that as it was in the days of Noah, so it would be when He returns. If you check out those days of Noah in Genesis 6:5 and Genesis 6:11 you will discover those days are characterized by wickedness and violence. But don’t get caught trying to time the Second Coming of Christ by these events in our day. The prophetic horizon in the Bible is likely broader than the events we see taking place just now. Things can change fast. But the alignment of nations is not yet the alignment of nations the Bible predicts at the time of the Second Advent.

On another front, Turkey apparently shot down a Russian fighter jet that strayed too far into their territory. Currently, Turkey is a part of NATO, the North Atlantic Treaty Organization. Members of that alliance are obligated to fully support any member which is attacked by some other nation. Some have lately said in the news that we may look back and see this incident as an important prelude to World War III. Jesus did tell us that there would be “wars and rumors of wars” (Mark 13:7), but He also said that “the end is not yet” (Matthew 24:6). Therefore, I doubt that the conflict in Syria will bring about world war, though it could.

ISIS militants or terrorists represent a growing threat worldwide. They are clearly connected to Islam. As a world religion, Islam has always had as a part of its religion an ideology of violence and conflict against unbelievers, and the goal of having the whole world live under “Sharia Law.” That is obviously the opposite of a “peaceful religion.” This is not the outlook of a religion that believes in love and justice and freedom. Islam does not promote any of these things. And because the Bible is the written Word of God, and Islam contradicts the Bible, that makes Islam a false religion or a false cult.

Why is it that Islamic or Muslim refugees are being allowed into Europe, and even being brought into the United States in large numbers? Why are they not admitted into neighboring nations who espouse the Islamic culture? United States law permits people to come to this country as refugees, and religion and religious persecution is the first permitted category on the list. But in terms of the Middle East conflict, the President of the United States wants a large number of Muslims to enter this country, but he is refusing to allow persecuted Syrian Christians to come. Thousands of Muslims have entered this country; only a very few hundred Christian Syrians have been admitted. He obviously has a very ominous agenda in mind, namely, to drastically change the culture of this country. I hope the voters will replace President Obama with someone who respects this country, its uniqueness, the values of its founders as expressed in the founding documents, who will make this country great again. When it comes to voting, no Christian in his or her right mind would dare before God and the Lord Jesus Christ to fail to exercise this right. National elections are often won by very slim majorities of late, and the difference between getting someone wise and placing someone foolish in office is at stake.

In economic news it is reported that the economy in both the United States and worldwide is too weak to allow the Federal Reserve to raise interest rates at this time, if ever. If they should raise rates, it will be by a very small amount. The Federal Reserve and other banking systems or cartels worldwide have boxed themselves into a corner by allowing too much debt, and by continuing zero interest rate policies beyond what they should have. This, too, has ominous implications in the long run.

All these matters and many more ought to be watched by every Bible believing Christian who wishes to be obedient to the Scripture. Pardon my extreme prejudice against sports, but I personally believe sports is the “opiate of the people.” Time devoted to watching sporting events on television or the equivalent surely could be put to better use studying the Bible, and keeping an eye on current events that may affect us.

Proverbs 22:3 tells us that “A prudent man forseeth the evil, and hideth himself:  but the simple pass on, and are punished.”

It is wise to be alert, be prepared, and continue in prayer (Ps 122:6;  1 Tim 2:1, 2, 3).

To dig deeper into 1 Chronicles 12:32, read the cross references I share below:

  1. the children of Issachar.  1 Ch 7:1-5.  +Ge 30:18.  46:13.  +Nu 1:29.  Jg 5:15.  had understanding.  Note:  That is, as the following words indicate, intelligent men, who understood the signs of the times, well versed in political affairs, and knew what was proper to be done in all the exigencies of human life;  and who now perceived that it was both the duty and political interest of Israel to advance David to the throne.  Matthew Poole notes the possibility that this may be a reference to “Skill in the stars, and several seasons and changes of the air;  which might be of good use in husbandry, to which this tribe was addicted, Ge 49:14;  Dt 33:18.”  2 Ch 11:23.  %+Jg 9:37mg.  Ezr 8:16.  %*Ps 74:9.  Ec 8:5.  10:10.  %+Je 8:7.  *Da 12:4, 9, 10.  +*Mt 24:45.  +*Lk 3:14n. %+*Lk 11:52.  %*Ac 1:7.  the times.  FS121P1.  Figure of speech Metonymy of the Adjunct:  the change of one noun for another related noun;  here, “time” is put for the things done in it, or existing in it (F/S 587 & F/S 593).  Here, understanding of the times refers to those who understood statesmanship, and those who understood what was needful to be done in the times at hand (for other instances of this figure see *Est 1:13;  Jb 11:17;  *Ps 31:15;  *2 Tim 3:1).  Ge 49:14.  *Est 1:13.  4:14.  Ec 8:5.  Is 22:12-14.  33:6.  Da 10:1.  Mic 6:9.  Mt 16:3.  *Lk 12:56, 57.  *2 Tim 3:1.  to know.  Pr 14:8.  +*Pr 22:3.  Ep 5:17.  the heads.  1 Ch 13:1.  all their brethren.  Pr 24:5.  Ec 7:19.  9:18.
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