Go! And… Discern the Times — What is the Issachar Anointing? - 1 Chronicles 12:32
1 Chronicles 12:32 (NLT): “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.”
INTRODUCTION — A TIME TO UNDERSTAND
Church, there are moments in history when God’s people cannot afford to be spiritually asleep.
Moments when we must wake up, watch, and wisely walk.
In David’s day, the men of Issachar were like this.
They understood the signs of the times and knew what Israel should do.
That’s what some today call the “Issachar Anointing” — a term not found in Scripture, but drawn from this description.
Some modern preachers use it to describe a prophetic sensitivity, the ability to read current events in light of God’s purposes.
But if we’re going to talk about it biblically, we must ask:
What did this mean in its original context?
How does it point us to Jesus Christ?
How should we live this out today?
1. THE HISTORICAL CONTEXT — THE MEN OF ISSACHAR IN SCRIPTURE
The setting of 1 Chronicles 12 is the time when David was still a fugitive from King Saul.
Various tribes of Israel were deciding whether to support David as the God-anointed king.
The Tribe of Issachar was one of the twelve tribes of Israel, descended from Issachar, the ninth son of Jacob and Leah (Genesis 30:17–18). By David’s time, they were known for agricultural skill and hard work (Genesis 49:14–15).
Here in 1 Chronicles 12:32, we read that 200 leaders of Issachar were wise and discerning.
The Hebrew phrase for “understood the signs of the times” is: (binah ba’ittim) — “discernment/understanding in the appointed times/seasons.”
This is not about mystical fortune-telling; it is about wise, God-given discernment of the season they were living in.
They recognised that God’s hand was on David, and they acted accordingly.
Ecclesiastes 3:1 (NLT): “For everything there is a season, a time for every activity under heaven.”
Proverbs 28:2 (NLT): “When there is moral rot within a nation, its government topples easily. But wise and knowledgeable leaders bring stability.”
John Piper: “Wisdom is not the ability to predict the future, but the ability to use the knowledge you have to live in a way that glorifies God.”
In other words, the Issachar men didn’t have a crystal ball — they had a clear sense of God’s direction.
2. THE MODERN USE OF THE TERM — “ISSACHAR ANOINTING”
In modern charismatic circles, people sometimes talk about the “Issachar Anointing” to describe a special ability to:
Hear prophetically from God about the times.
Interpret current events through a spiritual lens.
Lead others in strategic response.
Now, some of that language is fine if it stays anchored in Scripture.
But here’s the danger — it can drift into subjective impressions, detached from God’s Word.
True biblical discernment is never divorced from the truth of Scripture.
Hebrews 4:12 (NLT) reminds us: “For the word of God is alive and powerful. It is sharper than the sharpest two-edged sword, cutting between soul and spirit, between joint and marrow. It exposes our innermost thoughts and desires.”
If someone claims to have an Issachar Anointing but their counsel contradicts God’s Word — they’re not walking in the Spirit, they’re walking in the flesh.
R.T. Kendall: “The Bible is the final authority for all Christian faith and practice; any ‘word from the Lord’ that contradicts Scripture is not from the Lord.”
3. THE TRUE BIBLICAL CALL — DISCERNING THE TIMES THROUGH JESUS
Jesus Himself rebuked the Pharisees for failing to discern the times.
Matthew 16:2–3 (NLT): “You know how to read the weather signs in the sky, but you don’t know how to interpret the signs of the times!”
The ultimate “sign of the times” they missed was Jesus standing right in front of them — the promised Messiah!
Church, discernment is not just about knowing political trends or cultural shifts — it’s about recognising Jesus and following Him.
Greek word study: The NT word for “discern” is d???µ??? (dokimazo) — to examine, prove, or test so that you can approve what is excellent (Romans 12:2).
When we discern the times biblically, we’re not guessing the news cycle — we’re asking:
How should I live today in light of Christ’s Lordship?
How should I respond to the moral and spiritual climate with faith and obedience?
Charles Stanley: “Obey God and leave all the consequences to Him.”
That’s Issachar wisdom — obedience, not just observation.
4. PRACTICAL APPLICATION — HOW TO WALK IN ISSACHAR-LIKE DISCERNMENT
a) Saturate Your Mind with Scripture
Psalm 119:105 (NLT): “Your word is a lamp to guide my feet and a light for my path.”
The men of Issachar didn’t have social media feeds, but they had the Torah. Their worldview was shaped by God’s Word, not by public opinion. If you want to walk in godly discernment, you cannot feed more on headlines than you do on Scripture.
b) Pray for Wisdom Daily
James 1:5 (NLT): “If you need wisdom, ask our generous God, and he will give it to you.”
Prayer is not just a request line; it is the training ground for discernment. God reveals His heart to those who seek His face.
c) Stay Spiritually Alert
1 Peter 5:8 (NLT): “Stay alert! Watch out for your great enemy, the devil.”
A soldier who falls asleep in battle is an easy target. Likewise, a believer who drifts into spiritual apathy will be blindsided by temptation.
d) Be Ready to Act in Obedience
Luke 11:28 (NLT): “Blessed are all who hear the word of God and put it into practice.”
The Lighthouse Keeper:
Imagine a lighthouse keeper who sees a storm brewing on the horizon. He doesn’t sit back and admire the clouds — he runs to light the beacon. His job is not just to observe danger but to guide others to safety. Discernment without action is wasted.
The Fire Lookout:
In the 1930s, a young man was stationed in a fire lookout tower deep in the forests of Montana. His task was simple: watch for smoke. One summer afternoon, he spotted a thin grey line curling upward in the distance. He could have dismissed it as a campfire. But his training told him otherwise. He radioed it in, and crews reached it while it was still small. Later, officials said that if he’d waited just one hour, half the forest — and several towns — would have been lost.
Church, that’s the Issachar spirit. It’s not about knowing the entire future; it’s about recognising the moment God puts in front of you and acting before it’s too late.
Discernment is a gift — obedience is the proof you have it.
5. THE GOSPEL CONNECTION — JESUS IS OUR TRUE WISDOM
Church, here’s the truth — the men of Issachar could discern the times because they were in tune with God’s purposes for Israel. But in our day, the greatest act of discernment is recognising who Jesus is and responding to Him.
1 Corinthians 1:30 (NLT) tells us: “Christ Jesus… made us right with God; he made us pure and holy, and he freed us from sin.”
Paul calls Jesus our wisdom from God. Not just a source of good advice — but the very personification of God’s wisdom.
Every moment of your life hinges on one question:
Have you recognised Jesus for who He truly is?
The Pharisees and religious leaders in Jesus’ day were supposed to be the most spiritually discerning people in Israel, yet in Matthew 16:2–3, Jesus says:
“You know how to read the weather signs in the sky, but you don’t know how to interpret the signs of the times!”
They missed the most important “sign” of all — God’s own Son walking among them.
THE GREAT BLINDNESS — SIN
The Bible says in 2 Corinthians 4:4 (NLT): “Satan, who is the god of this world, has blinded the minds of those who don’t believe. They are unable to see the glorious light of the Good News.”
This is why discernment is not just an intellectual skill — it is a spiritual miracle.
Without Jesus, we are spiritually blind, unable to see our true condition.
What is that condition? Romans 3:23 answers plainly: “For everyone has sinned; we all fall short of God’s glorious standard.”
Sin is not just bad behaviour — it is rebellion against the God who made us.
And the penalty for sin, Romans 6:23 says, is death. Not just physical death, but eternal separation from God in hell.
THE GREAT HOPE — JESUS
But here is the good news — the ultimate “sign of the times” is that God has already acted.
Over 2,000 years ago, God sent His Son Jesus Christ into this world.
He lived the perfect, sinless life we could not live.
On the cross, He took the punishment we deserved.
Isaiah 53:5 (NLT): “But he was pierced for our rebellion, crushed for our sins. He was beaten so we could be whole. He was whipped so we could be healed.”
Three days after His death, He rose from the grave — defeating sin, death, and hell once and for all.
Romans 10:9 (NLT) makes the offer clear: “If you openly declare that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.”
THE GREAT DECISION — NOW
This is where the Issachar Anointing meets the Gospel.
It’s not enough to recognise the spiritual climate — you must respond to it.
Right now, the “sign of the times” for you is the open invitation of Jesus Christ to turn from your sin and trust in Him as Lord and Saviour.
2 Corinthians 6:2 says: “Indeed, the ‘right time’ is now. Today is the day of salvation.”
The Last Train
A man once missed the last train home by just one minute. He stood on the platform, watching the red tail lights disappear into the night. For hours, he wandered the empty station, wishing he’d run faster. Friends, the Gospel train is here — the doors are open — but it will not stay forever. When Christ returns or when your life ends, the opportunity to be saved is gone. Don’t miss it by hesitation.
INVITATION TO SALVATION:
If you’ve never surrendered to Jesus Christ, this is your moment of discernment.
Don’t be like the Pharisees who could predict the weather but failed to see the Messiah standing in front of them.
Today, recognise Him. Repent of your sin. Receive His forgiveness. Trust Him as your Lord and Saviour.
Pray with me:
“Lord Jesus, I know I am a sinner. I believe You died for my sins and rose from the dead. I turn from my sins and invite You into my life. I trust You as my Lord and Saviour. Amen.”
BENEDICTION:
May the Lord give you the wisdom of Issachar, the courage of David, and the steadfast faith of those who fix their eyes on Jesus. Go, discern the times, live in obedience, and proclaim the Good News until the day He comes again.
