INTRODUCTION

1 Chronicles 12:32 (NIV): “… from Issachar, men who understood the times and knew what Israel should do—200 chiefs, with all their relatives under their command…”

In 1 Chronicles 12:32, we are introduced to 200 fathers, 200 heads of families that made up the tribe of Issachar, the third largest of the 12 tribes of Israel. They were part of the gathering that had assembled at Hebron to crown David king of Israel and were entrusted with the mission to observe, to listen, to ultimately “understand the times,” and to know the will of God for His people. These 200 descendants of Issachar were many things—influential, wise, thoughtful, bold, and unwavering, but the most important characteristic is they were spiritually grounded. These Godly fathers not only determined the fate of the “relatives under their command,” they directed the destiny of the entire nation of Israel! They were the compass, the rudder, and the navigational leadership for the people of God in the Old Testament, and it all flowed from a deep connection with God.

In the 21st Century, the term father has lost much of its Biblical beauty and intention. Without strong, good, and connected fathers, children are walking alone into a wilderness of conflicting messages about who they are and who they should be. God is calling Issachar men to stand up and be counted. God is calling men to a new way of working—a fatherhood that isn’t relegated to financial contributors and nothing more, but one who raises up the banner of fatherhood in a way the world will take notice…Of being a spiritually mature father who will discern the times, give the blessing of wise counsel, and be a worthy example for others to follow…Men who are role-model fathers and mentors, who provide Godly counsel both in their own households as well as the larger community. God is calling you to live out the kind of fatherhood that flows from a deep connection with Jesus through the Word.

So, what should modern Issachar men look like? We'll discover the answer to that question in the lives of Moses, Joseph, Daniel, Jeremiah, and Joshua.