The Stone of Issachar

Elijah, in re-pairing the broken altar, reversed the corruption that had plagued the twelve tribes for generations, restoring the purpose and calling of each tribe to the nation. Each stone stood for a tribe; each tribe stood for a unique calling, contribution, purpose to rebuilding according to Gods design. In repairing the altar, he reinstated God’s order, toppled the false government of Ahab and Jezebel, and restored the nation back to the God of Israel. Re-pair, means there was a time when things were paired rightly between heaven and earth. It is the same mandate for the church of the last days. This requires an understanding (revelation) of how it was in the beginning.

1 John 2:14 “I write to you, fathers, because you know him who is from the beginning. 

Today, the Old Testament is dismissed as “law” meant only for Israel. What the church doesn’t realize is that these teachings were emphasized by Jesus in the sermon on the mount. Jesus took His cue from the book of Deuteronomy and taught the people how Israel could be one nation under God. We would do well to pay attention.

1 Chronicles 12:32 Of the sons of Issachar, men who understood the times with knowledge of what Israel should do, their chiefs were two hundred, and all their kinsmen were at their command.

v38 says “All these men were warriors who were ready to march” (THEY WERE READY TO DO WHATEVER IT TOOK TO REINSTATE THE KINGSHIP OF DAVID OVER ISRAEL).

Is the church prepared to do whatever it takes to see the fulfilment of Matthew 6:10?

Issachar in Hebrew means “a recompense, to return in kind, to understand the times with knowledge, wisdom, prophetic insight.”

They were a prophetic tribe, speaking the words of God, bringing God’s wisdom to bear on human affairs, which brought healing to the nation of Israel.

When we don’t know what to do, fear sets in, people stay passive, the enemy invades, and his agenda takes root. Yet, faith in Jesus moves forward. We are not called to be stagnant in faith and maturity. We are to move forward while standing still and know that He is God.

Philippians 3:12-16 “Not that I have already attained this – that is, I have not already been perfected – but I strive to lay hold of that for which Christ Jesus also laid hold of me. Brothers and sisters, I do not consider myself to have attained this. Instead, I am single-minded: Forgetting the things that are behind and reaching out for the things that are ahead, with this goal in mind, I strive toward the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus. Therefore, let those of us who are “perfect” embrace this point of view. If you think otherwise, God will reveal to you the error of your ways. Nevertheless, let us live up to the standard that we have already attained.”

Today, the nations are in uproar.

Psalm 2:1-2 “Why do the nations rebel? Why are the countries devising plots that will fail? The kings of the earth form a united front; the rulers collaborate against the Lord and his anointed king.”

Understanding the times and having the knowledge to instruct peoples and nations is what Issachar is about - bringing understanding, knowledge, wisdom, revelation, and discernment.

We understand that nations are either going to be goat or sheep nations. God is bringing a righteous judgement on the earth.

Psalm 9:17 “The wicked are turned back and sent to Sheol; this is the destiny of all the nations that ignore God”

As we press toward the goal that the apostle Paul spoke of, the church should expect the kingdoms of this world to become the kingdoms of our God. Issachar understood the times; they had knowledge of what Israel should do.

We will consider three aspects of the tribe of Issachar: understanding, knowledge, doing.

Understand

The entire tribe was ready for action. To understand means “discernment, truth, to act wisely, to interpret, to be investigative, a skilled teacher, understanding and he will gain.”

This is more than “oh I know, I understand what you’re saying” but seeking an understanding to be able to move forward and establish the kingdom on the earth. The clearest meaning of understanding is truth, which is detested in our world today.

Isaiah 5:20 “Those who call evil good and good evil are as good as dead, who turn darkness into light and light into darkness, who turn bitter into sweet and sweet into bitter.”

To move forward, it is important to embrace history for the good, not so good and everything in between. This brings healing and the church can move forward without repeating the same mistakes of the past. To not repeat something is to know it, not erase it.

John 17:14-17 “I have given them your word, and the world has hated them, because they do not belong to the world, just as I do not belong to the world. I am not asking you to take them out of the world, but that you keep them safe from the evil one. They do not belong to the world just as I do not belong to the world. Set them apart in the truth; your word is truth.”

The church cannot operate in survival mode in these times. These are appointed times when we need to step up, understand the truth as never before.

Knowledge

Here it means “to know, to be aware, to tell, to speak, light”

The tribe of Issachar had an awareness in their DNA of what God expected of them, and they moved accordingly. When Issachar was called on, it was about battle. They comprehended Gods heart and communicated clearly. What is the use of knowing God’s heart if the church cannot communicate it clearly?

“The sovereign Lord has given me the capacity to be his spokesman, so that I know how to help the weary. He wakes me up every morning; he makes me alert so I can listen attentively as disciples do. The sovereign Lord has spoken to me clearly; I have not rebelled; I have not turned back.”

Isaiah 50:4-5

Believers, please know that in the matter of knowledge, there’s a clear dividing line between truth and falsity. Learn to be led by the Spirit of God- Rom 8:14. How does the Holy Spirit lead?

1. first the Spirit leads to repentance from religious mindsets and releases to the kingdom of God.

2. the Holy Spirit makes Christ precious to you.

3. leads into all truth.

4. leads not only into knowledge of truth but into love for God and people.

5. into holiness.

6. causes us to persevere with people so they come to the knowledge of the Father.

7. leads to maturity as sons.

8. leads to praying and communicating the Father’s heart clearly.

9. into fruitfulness and stewardship.

Do

Meaning “to accomplish”.

Through the knowledge of the truth, they were able to give direction, and they had ability to accomplish what God wanted accomplished. They are not people who subscribe to “what makes you happy? Let’s blend this together.” No! They are people who say, “This is God, let’s move now!” or “This is not the time to go, but get ready and wait for the instructions!”

It also means “an awareness of what to keep and what to let go of”

Things that are not kingdom culture, need letting go. Believers must be willing to lay down, sacrifice, cut off anything that doesn’t line up with the Father’s heart. There can be no mixture of cultures in the ekklesia.  

Do also means “to make ready”. The words from Issachar readied Israel for what they would face in the days ahead. These are prophetic voices that prepare the church.

Proverbs 15:23 “A person has joy in giving an appropriate answer, and a word at the right time – how good it is!”

Hiding behind the Christian religious veil will not cause the kingdoms of this world to become the kingdoms of our Lord. We need a kingdom mindset, and posture, to bring the heart of God into the earth. Culture begins shifting when the ekklesia rises, releases the verdicts from the throne room, and the kingdom is established.

Religion focuses on what’s not working. The Kingdom sees opportunities and perseveres through the challenges.

Religion accentuates pain and suffering. The Kingdom sees pain and suffering as a means to the crown of life.

Religion says we’re losing, The Kingdom says we’re advancing (this is not a denial of circumstances but an appreciation of it in the overall scheme of things)

Religion sees lack, Kingdom sees a harvest.

Religion says nothing can be done, so let’s go with the flow. Join the crowd. Kingdom says if God is for us, who can be against us? Let’s march forward with the Lord at our head.

When Isaiah 60:1-3 is practiced, darkness will be dispelled by the light. They cannot co-exist.

Know what time this nation is in; rise to do your part. God is transforming the nations of the earth, and He’s doing it through the ekklesia. The stone of Issachar needs to be in place.