1 Chronicles 7:1-2 (ESV)
Descendants of Issachar
The sons of Issachar: Tola, Puah, Jashub, and Shimron, four. The sons of Tola: Uzzi, Rephaiah, Jeriel, Jahmai, Ibsam, and Shemuel, heads of their fathers' houses, namely of Tola, mighty warriors of their generations, their number in the days of David being 22,600.
1 Chronicles 7:5 (ESV)
Their kinsmen belonging to all the clans of Issachar were in all 87,000 mighty warriors, enrolled by genealogy.
1 Chronicles 7:7 (ESV)
The sons of Bela: Ezbon, Uzzi, Uzziel, Jerimoth, and Iri, five, heads of fathers' houses, mighty warriors. And their enrollment by genealogies was 22,034.
1 Chronicles 7:9 (ESV)
And their enrollment by genealogies, according to their generations, as heads of their fathers' houses, mighty warriors, was 20,200.
1 Chronicles 7:11 (ESV)
All these were the sons of Jediael according to the heads of their fathers' houses, mighty warriors, 17,200, able to go to war.
War much? In 1 Chronicles the author(s) are putting together a list of those in Israel’s history. Remember, they had been taken off to captivity. Now they were returning. They were dong a head count of who was returning and had to assure they knew from what tribe people were from. The Messiah would come from this returning remnant. So, it was important to get their heritage and lineage correct. In the above passage we read about the tribes of Issachar and Benjamin. We read particular about their warrior members of their tribe. The irony here is that they are coming back from captivity and their warriors were defeated. But, never-the-less we read about them and are to take note of numbers. The take-a-way for us is that God notices those who fight for Him and His people. We are not much warriors today in the Body of Christ. Our passive natures tend to make us more pew sitters than war mongers. It is noted that we are, however, supposed to be fighting for God. Ours is a spiritual warfare. Note:
Ephesians 6:10-18 (ESV)
The Whole Armor of God
Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might. Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil. For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places. Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand firm. Stand therefore, having fastened on the belt of truth, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness, and, as shoes for your feet, having put on the readiness given by the gospel of peace. In all circumstances take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming darts of the evil one; and take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God, praying at all times in the Spirit, with all prayer and supplication. To that end, keep alert with all perseverance, making supplication for all the saints,
We are to take on the whole armor of God to fight the spiritual battle before us and against the forces of evil, on every side. If God were to write a new Chronicle and outlined those who warred for the church against the forces of evil, would our name be included in the list?
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