How To Understand The Times, And Leadership In Times Of Crisis

In today's world, knowing what to do in times of crisis can give a nation or a person the needed advantage to overcome adverse situations. But a shortfall of not knowing what to do can spell more trouble, anxiety, and fear in the midst of uncertainty and a wanting leadership. And this true in every age since the day man was driven from the Garden of Eden. And this is not different in our days with the coronavirus which came with its unique challenges to the world. However, in times of crisis, the bottom line is that those with the understanding of the times tend to offer the antidotes and lead the way out of the miasma caused by the crisis.

Such men who possess these qualities are known as the men of the moment, born for a time like these. They are those on the right side of history, stationed in the right place at the right time. They are the ordinary men sometimes unrecognized by the world, unflattering by the glitters of this world and sacrificial with a servant's heart. They are always ready to stand up for what is just, true of virtue, dignified, and right.

In other to get hold of this concept, we need to appeal to the word of God to understand the governing principle that is in short supply in today’s world. The Bible records the most interesting example of how to address the issues of leadership in crisis management.

Therefore let's start from the days of Israel’s monarchy during the transition of power from King Saul to the humble shepherd David. The situation in Israel at the time became so fluid with changing circumstances due to a defeat and the loss of the king. Hence a crisis was brewing in the horizon that was threatening to tear the nation apart as David was about to be crowned King of Israel.

The King of Israel, Saul was dead and the leaders of the tribe of Benjamin wanted one of their own, the son of Saul crowned as the successor to the throne. But the other tribes thought otherwise, in favor of David, and they met in Hebron to turn the kingdom of Saul over to him.

Then there was a time of crisis in the kingdom of Israel, and there was a great need for leadership surrounded by men of great wisdom to discern the times. As leaders are not born out of a crisis but revealed. So at that point, rose up two hundred identified as the men and leaders of the tribe of Issachar. They were men who understood what was happening and knew exactly what to do.

And the Bible said of them "And of the children of Issachar, men that had the 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 Chronicles 12:32).

In the Hebrew language, the word used in that passage for understanding is "Binah", it comes from a root verb that means to separate something mentally, and to differentiate its component parts. It is used to describe a situation when one has insight into a matter, circumstance, and acts with prudence. It also reveals the presence of intelligence and wisdom and the knowledge of the spiritual skill of life. This is a situation when someone understands the facts of a matter with clarity and knows what is at stake.

It means that the men of Issachar have the ability and capacity to use the spiritual gift freely given to all men by the Lord. Also, they were not ashamed to use the God-given skill to analyze what was happening, what it means, and what must be done. Also, the men of Issachar could discern the times. They could analyze the times using the prophetic word of God. So they knew the climate and had perceived correctly the consequences of what those times were all about. Based on that the men or sons of Issachar knew what to do. They understood what was happening in the larger picture.

They knew that Saul had not been a good king. They knew what the word of God says about a king who has failed the test. They also knew that establishing a line of Saul dynasty or keeping the kingship in the tribe of Benjamin was contrary to the commandments of God. Besides that, they knew that David by virtue of his tribe as Judah, character, and ability was the true leader Israel needed during those turbulent times.

So it is today as the global pandemic crisis has brought a similar situation to our generation as the days of David was that calls for those who have the understanding to rise to assume a new position of authority in the church and in the world. Because they are endowed and blessed by God with spiritual gifts recognized for their inputs or contribution in steering the ship to safety. Even so, every church and generation needs true and wise leaders who can discern and understand the times and know what to do in times of crisis.