Issachar And Zebulun

I. EXORDIUM:

Do you have a reward? Are you honored?

II. AUDIENCE PROFILE:

Believers

III. OBJECTIVES:

To prove that GOD is the Rewarder and He is the One that Honors us.

IV. TEXT:

1 Chronicles 12:32-33 (New Living Translation, Second Edition)

From the tribe of Issachar, there were 200 leaders of the tribe with their relatives. All these men understood the signs of the times and knew the best course for Israel to take.

From the tribe of Zebulun, there were 50,000 skilled warriors. They were fully armed and prepared for battle and completely loyal to David.

V. THESIS:

GOD is the Rewarder and He is the One that Honors us.

VI. TITLE:

Issachar and Zebulun

VII. EXPLICATION:

A. Author: uncertain, thought to be edited by Ezra

B. Date written: Between 450 B.C. and 430 B.C.

C. Distinctive features: Deals almost exclusively with the history of Judah

D. Purpose: Provide spiritual perspective of events from David's reign to the decress of Cyrus in 538 B.C.

E. Intended audience/reader: Nation of Israel

F. Main theme: Sovereignty of GOD

G. Key verse:

1 Chronicles 17:11-14 (New Living Translation, Second Edition)

For when you die and join your ancestors, I will raise up one of your descendants, one of your sons, and I will make his kingdom strong.

He is the one who will build a house—a temple—for me. And I will secure his throne forever.

I will be his father, and he will be my son. I will never take my favor from him as I took it from the one who ruled before you.

I will confirm him as king over my house and my kingdom for all time, and his throne will be secure forever.’”

VIII. MAIN BODY:

A. GOD has rewarded us with discretion.

1. Issachar has discretion.

Issachar means "reward" from the Hebrew word:"Jissaskar" meaning "he will bring a reward" and it's already given that the rewarder is GOD Himself and no one else. - “God has rewarded me for giving my servant to my husband as a wife.”

Genesis 30:18 (New Living Translation, Second Edition)

She named him Issachar, for she said, “God has rewarded me for giving my servant to my husband as a wife.”

"From the tribe of Issachar, there were 200 leaders of the tribe with their relatives. All these men understood the signs of the times and knew the best course for Israel to take."

a. Example of Joseph:

Genesis 41:39 (New Living Translation, Second Edition)

Then Pharaoh said to Joseph, “Since God has revealed the meaning of the dreams to you, clearly no one else is as intelligent or wise as you are.

b. Example of Solomon:

Proverbs 2:11 (New Living Translation, Second Edition)

Wise choices will watch over you. Understanding will keep you safe.

c. Example of a farmer:

Isaiah 28:26 (New Living Translation, Second Edition)

The farmer knows just what to do, for God has given him understanding.

2. GOD has rewarded us with understanding.

Deuteronomy 4:6 (New Living Translation, Second Edition)

Obey them completely, and you will display your wisdom and intelligence among the surrounding nations. When they hear all these decrees, they will exclaim, ‘How wise and prudent are the people of this great nation!’

1 Chronicles 22:12 (New Living Translation, Second Edition)

And may the Lord give you wisdom and understanding, that you may obey the Law of the Lord your God as you rule over Israel.

Psalms 119:104 (New Living Translation, Second Edition)

Your commandments give me understanding; no wonder I hate every false way of life.

Proverbs 13:15 (New Living Translation, Second Edition)

A person with good sense is respected; a treacherous person is headed for destruction.

Proverbs 11:12 (New Living Translation, Second Edition)

It is foolish to belittle one’s neighbor; a sensible person keeps quiet.

2 Timothy 2:7 (New Living Translation, Second Edition)

Think about what I am saying. The Lord will help you understand all these things.

It is always "The Lord will help you understand all these things.", all we need to do is believe His Word for us and He will give us the ability to understand it.

B. GOD has honored us with warrior skills.

Zebulun has warrior skills.

"From the tribe of Zebulun, there were 50,000 skilled warriors. They were fully armed and prepared for battle and completely loyal to David. "

Zebulun means "honor". Zebulon also means "habitation". Without GOD's habitation in our lives, we don't have "warrior skills"

Genesis 30:20 (New Living Translation, Second Edition)

She named him Zebulun, for she said, “God has given me a good reward. Now my husband will treat me with respect, for I have given him six sons.”

Judges 4:6 (New Living Translation, Second Edition)

One day she sent for Barak son of Abinoam, who lived in Kedesh in the land of Naphtali. She said to him, “This is what the Lord, the God of Israel, commands you: Call out 10,000 warriors from the tribes of Naphtali and Zebulun at Mount Tabor.