After the death of King Saul, David began to consolidate power at his base in Hebron. Men from across the nation joined him, prepared to fight to install David upon the throne of Israel.

Most are described as brave warriors and skilled fighters. One band, however, stood out for their wisdom – from Issachar, men who understood the times and knew what Israel should do.

Every leader of every nation in every corner of the world at every moment in history needs people who understand the times and know what to do.

Every politician who’s ever run for office claims to understand the times and know what to do. But in my experience, few people truly fit in this category.

The artwork in the photo above represents the value placed, in certain regards, on wisdom. Wisdom and knowledge will be the stability of thy times is a quote from Isaiah 33:6. This at Rockefeller Center, a building housing a variety of television studios, hardly a medium known for wisdom or knowledge. How ironic that purveyors of inane distraction walk under these words every day.

The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom (Proverbs 9:10). The men of Issachar started there, then melded that wisdom into their lives and nation. More than ever, we need to pray for people like them, both to bless our lives and to bless the world around us.

1 Chronicles 12:32 in week nineteen of reading the Bible cover to cover

Photo by David Vives