UNDERSTANDING THE TIMES
© Daniel Valles 6/8   www. informedchristians.com

I Chronicles 12:32 says, “…of the children of Issachar, which were men that had understanding of the times, to know what Israel ought to do…” In this chapter, we find the listing of the mighty men who came and helped David, after the death of Saul, and the capture of Zion. This chapter lists the thousands of men who came from different tribes and families to assist and support David. For almost every one of the tribes or families listed, it mentions the thousands that they sent to help David. However, when it mentions the children of Issachar, it mentions that only two-hundred of them came (leaders), and that they had a very distinct trait – they understood the times. Because they had a handle and understanding on the times in which they lived (the state of the nation, enemies, allies, families, tribes, etc.), they knew what to do – they were wise men. In Esther 1:13, the Bible again uses the unique description of the king’s wise men: “…which knew the times”.

In Matthew 16:3, Jesus made reference to this trait, when he chastised the Pharisees, “O ye hypocrites, ye can discern the face of the sky; but can ye not discern the signs of the times?”   It is interesting that of all people, the religious leaders could not discern the signs of the times. They asked Jesus to show them a sign, but it was standing right in front of them! Of all the people who had heard John the Baptist paving the way for the Messiah, you would think that they would have recognized Him!

Yet, in our day and time, we find the exact same symptoms. Too many Christians today do not have any deep interest in prophesy (besides morbid curiosity), and they do not have any desire to study, examine, and have an understanding of the times. Too many people shy away from studying current events and our times because they call it “too depressing”, or they quit their responsibility and show their ignorance by stating, “it will all work out”. Baloney.

What are the consequences of not understanding the times?  Well, just from the two verses that emphasized it, we can learn many things.  Number one (and most importantly), those who do not have an understanding of the times will be the least likely to know what to do. The men of Issachar were valued because their insight made them valuable counselors to David. Just like King Ahasuerus in Esther turned to the council of his wise men, David also relied on his counselors (I Chron. 13:2). For Christians today who do not have an understanding of the times (nor the desire to), how do they expect to know what to do in regards to their responsibilities and reactions? How can they act prudently (Prov. 22:3) if they never forsee or examine the state of our world?

Secondly, they will make mistakes not only in their general life, but they risk making mistakes in their faith as well. The Pharisees made the greatest mistake in rejecting Christ because they failed to understand the information and prophecy that was at their very fingertips. How many Christians today are not serving God zealously because they have little or no understanding of the times? How many Christians are lukewarm and apathetic because they have no sense of urgency about the times in which we live? How many Christians are living for this present world because they have little appetite for eternity? How many professing Christians will curse God when perilous times come their way? Job’s wife’s heart was not on God – it was on all the fancy and riches that she had prior. Her idiotic advice to Job was to curse God. Job, although grieved, had an understanding of the times by knowing and having a proper view of how God works in the affairs of men. In Ezekiel chapter eight, God asked the prophet several times, “…Son of man, seest thou what they do?” The more we see the world the way God sees the world – in its sinful rebellious state – the more we will see God’s just hand as He acts in the affairs of men.

Thirdly, not understanding the times makes you blind to the needs around you. In John 4:35, Jesus told His disciples, “Say not ye, There are yet four months, and then cometh harvest? behold, I say unto you, Lift up your eyes, and look on the fields; for they are white already to harvest.” Too many Christians acknowledge that Christ is returning – just not anytime soon, apparently. A lack of understanding the times also translates into a lack of zeal for the things of God. One does not have to necessarily have a grasp of the political and prophetic unfolding of globalization and global peril to have a zeal for God. One can have a proper grasp of life and its shortness - and of the God that shows mercy and judgment - that drives them to save the lost. II Timothy 3:1-5 warns, “This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come. For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, without natural affection, trucebreakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good, traitors, heady, highminded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God; having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away.”

Time is running out. Souls are slipping into eternity every second. Would God label you as understanding the times? It seems that proper stewardship would entail understanding - not naivety. Does your understanding of the times and view of prophecy unfolding before our eyes guide and goad you to serve Christ more each day? God’s Word does not only give us physical signs to look out for, but it also lists the state of the world and how the heart of man will not be on the things of God - but craven and dark. Rom 1:28-32 also aptly describes our day and world: “And even as they did not like to retain God in their knowledge, God gave them over to a reprobate mind, to do those things which are not convenient; being filled with all unrighteousness, fornication, wickedness, covetousness, maliciousness; full of envy, murder, debate, deceit, malignity; whisperers, backbiters, haters of God, despiteful, proud, boasters, inventors of evil things, disobedient to parents, without understanding, covenant breakers, without natural affection, implacable, unmerciful: who knowing the judgment of God, that they which commit such things are worthy of death, not only do the same, but have pleasure in them that do them.”

As we read through the Scriptures that God has given us, let us pray for a knowledge and understanding of His Word, and also an understanding of the times in which we live.

1 John 3:2-3 “Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is. And every man that hath this hope in him purifieth himself, even as he is pure.”