As God’s people, we are in the time frame of the biblical month of Iyar|Siv, which is associated with the tribe of Issachar. The tribe of Issachar is the connector in the first unit of the army of Israel -as there are four units arranged into three tribes each- that connects the tribe of Judah with the tribe of Zebulun (cf. Numbers 2:2-3.5.7.9).
Numbers 2:2-3.5.7.9:
2 ‘The Israelites are to camp round the tent of meeting some distance from it, each of them under their standard and holding the banners of their family.’
3 On the east, towards the sunrise: the divisions of the camp of Judah are to camp under their standard. The leader of the people of Judah is Nahshon son of Amminadab. …
5 The tribe of Issachar will camp next to them. The leader of the people of Issachar is Nethanel son of Zuar. …
7 The tribe of Zebulun will be next. The leader of the people of Zebulun is Eliab son of Helon. …
9 All the men assigned to the camp of Judah, according to their divisions, number 186,400. They will set out first.
2 ‘The Israelites are to camp round the tent of meeting some distance from it, each of them under their standard and holding the banners of their family.’
3 On the east, towards the sunrise: the divisions of the camp of Judah are to camp under their standard. The leader of the people of Judah is Nahshon son of Amminadab. …
5 The tribe of Issachar will camp next to them. The leader of the people of Issachar is Nethanel son of Zuar. …
7 The tribe of Zebulun will be next. The leader of the people of Zebulun is Eliab son of Helon. …
9 All the men assigned to the camp of Judah, according to their divisions, number 186,400. They will set out first.
We already know that everything first has a special place with God, so there is a special significance resting on the alignment of the first three tribes of Israel, which result in the first unit within God’s people (cf. Exodus 13:12-13; Exodus 23:19).
Exodus 13:12-13:
12 you are to give over to the Lord the first offspring of every womb. All the firstborn males of your livestock belong to the Lord.
13 Redeem with a lamb every firstborn donkey, but if you do not redeem it, break its neck. Redeem every firstborn among your sons.
Exodus 23:19:
19 ‘Bring the best of the firstfruits of your soil to the house of the Lord your God. ‘Do not cook a young goat in its mother’s milk.
19 ‘Bring the best of the firstfruits of your soil to the house of the Lord your God. ‘Do not cook a young goat in its mother’s milk.
There is a revelatory truth hidden in this connection that we need to take a look at more closely in the light of the Spirit of wisdom and revelation in order to see God’s plan more clearly (cf. Ephesians 1:17-18).
Ephesians 1:17-18:
17 I keep asking that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the glorious Father, may give you the Spirit of wisdom and revelation, so that you may know him better.
18 I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which he has called you, the riches of his glorious inheritance in his holy people, …
17 I keep asking that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the glorious Father, may give you the Spirit of wisdom and revelation, so that you may know him better.
18 I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which he has called you, the riches of his glorious inheritance in his holy people, …
The Residence of the Prophet Samuel and the Dynamics of Prophecy
Among other things, the Holy Spirit calls us to be quickened by the power of worship (note: Judah means ‘praise, worship’) to come to a new place of fellowship with God, which is like the dwelling place (note: Zebulun means ‘dwelling, habitation’) of the prophet Samuel, who lived at Naioth in Ramah, where David sought refuge from Saul (cf. 1 Samuel 19:18-19).
1 Samuel 19:18-19:
18 When David had fled and made his escape, he went to Samuel at Ramah and told him all that Saul had done to him. Then he and Samuel went to Naioth and stayed there.
19 Word came to Saul: ‘David is in Naioth at Ramah’; …
In this context, it is about the community of saints who reside or settle in the prophetic culture of God by living in the dynamic of the spirit of prophecy. This results in a spiritual expansion like the prophetic ecstatic state into which Saul’s messengers, and later Saul himself, entered when they came into the presence of the company of prophets (cf. 1 Samuel 19:20-24).
1 Samuel 19:20-24:
… 20 so he sent men to capture him. But when they saw a group of prophets prophesying, with Samuel standing there as their leader, the Spirit of God came on Saul’s men, and they also prophesied.
21 Saul was told about it, and he sent more men, and they prophesied too. Saul sent men a third time, and they also prophesied.
22 Finally, he himself left for Ramah and went to the great cistern at Seku. And he asked, ‘Where are Samuel and David?’ ‘Over in Naioth at Ramah,’ they said.
23 So Saul went to Naioth at Ramah. But the Spirit of God came even on him, and he walked along prophesying until he came to Naioth.
24 He stripped off his garments, and he too prophesied in Samuel’s presence. He lay naked all that day and all that night. This is why people say, ‘Is Saul also among the prophets?’
… 20 so he sent men to capture him. But when they saw a group of prophets prophesying, with Samuel standing there as their leader, the Spirit of God came on Saul’s men, and they also prophesied.
21 Saul was told about it, and he sent more men, and they prophesied too. Saul sent men a third time, and they also prophesied.
22 Finally, he himself left for Ramah and went to the great cistern at Seku. And he asked, ‘Where are Samuel and David?’ ‘Over in Naioth at Ramah,’ they said.
23 So Saul went to Naioth at Ramah. But the Spirit of God came even on him, and he walked along prophesying until he came to Naioth.
24 He stripped off his garments, and he too prophesied in Samuel’s presence. He lay naked all that day and all that night. This is why people say, ‘Is Saul also among the prophets?’
The Hebrew word ‘nājôt’ means ‘dwellings’ and comes from the root word ‘nāwāh’, which means ‘pasture, to come to the goal’. (Part excerpt from the Elberfelder Study Bible on the word ‘nājôt’ and the word ‘nāwāh’ with the word key number: 5293*, 5199*, 5196*)
It is God’s focus that we get to the next subgoal through Christ Jesus and glorify the Heavenly Father in this way (cf. John 10:9 i.c.w. Psalm 23:2).
John 10:9:
9 I am the gate; whoever enters through me will be saved. They will come in and go out, and find pasture.
9 I am the gate; whoever enters through me will be saved. They will come in and go out, and find pasture.
Psalm 23:2:
2 He makes me lie down in green pastures, he leads me beside quiet waters, …
2 He makes me lie down in green pastures, he leads me beside quiet waters, …
Jesus when He rode as king on a donkey to Jerusalem and there was publicly acknowledged by the people as the prophet and proclaimed king, as well as later entering the house of God, the temple, also reveals the connection within the first formation of the tribes of Israel between Judah, Issachar and Zebulun.
In this context, Judah points to the dimension of the king, Issachar to servanthood in the Holy Spirit, and Zebulun to dwelling in God (cf. Matthew 21:4-11).
Matthew 21:4-11:
4 This took place to fulfil what was spoken through the prophet (cf. Zechariah 9:9): 5 ‘Say to Daughter Zion, “See, your king comes to you, gentle and riding on a donkey, and on a colt, the foal of a donkey.” ’
6 The disciples went and did as Jesus had instructed them.
7 They brought the donkey and the colt and placed their cloaks on them for Jesus to sit on.
8 A very large crowd spread their cloaks on the road, while others cut branches from the trees and spread them on the road.
9 The crowds that went ahead of him and those that followed shouted, ‘Hosanna to the Son of David!’ ‘Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord!’ ‘Hosanna in the highest heaven!’
10 When Jesus entered Jerusalem, the whole city was stirred and asked, ‘Who is this?’
11 The crowds answered, ‘This is Jesus, the prophet from Nazareth in Galilee.’
4 This took place to fulfil what was spoken through the prophet (cf. Zechariah 9:9): 5 ‘Say to Daughter Zion, “See, your king comes to you, gentle and riding on a donkey, and on a colt, the foal of a donkey.” ’
6 The disciples went and did as Jesus had instructed them.
7 They brought the donkey and the colt and placed their cloaks on them for Jesus to sit on.
8 A very large crowd spread their cloaks on the road, while others cut branches from the trees and spread them on the road.
9 The crowds that went ahead of him and those that followed shouted, ‘Hosanna to the Son of David!’ ‘Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord!’ ‘Hosanna in the highest heaven!’
10 When Jesus entered Jerusalem, the whole city was stirred and asked, ‘Who is this?’
11 The crowds answered, ‘This is Jesus, the prophet from Nazareth in Galilee.’
The Donkey Tied to the Vine
It is relevant to know that in the blessing of Jacob on his son Judah, it says that he will tie his donkey to the vine and his donkey’s colt to the choice vine. This was fulfilled by Jesus’ commission to His two sent disciples, who untied the donkey and the colt in order to bring them to Jesus (cf. Genesis 49:11a).
Genesis 49:11a:
11a He will tether his donkey to a vine, his colt to the choicest branch; …
11a He will tether his donkey to a vine, his colt to the choicest branch; …
Since Issachar carries the prophetic potential to discern the times to give divine counsel to God’s people and bears the mark of a donkey (cf. 1 Chronicles 12:32 i.c.w. Genesis 49:14), it is necessary that we have our prophetic ability tied to Christ alone. The reason is because only He is the true vine, as well as we are called to continue to live in His truth. As a result, we produce good fruit accordingly, which means decisions in accordance to God’s will, and thus the Heavenly Father is glorified (cf. John 15:5.7-8).
1 Chronicles 12:32:
… 32 from Issachar, men who understood the times and knew what Israel should do – 200 chiefs, with all their relatives under their command; …
… 32 from Issachar, men who understood the times and knew what Israel should do – 200 chiefs, with all their relatives under their command; …
Genesis 49:14:
14 ‘Issachar is a scrawny [strong] donkey lying down among the sheepfolds.
14 ‘Issachar is a scrawny [strong] donkey lying down among the sheepfolds.
John 15:5.7-8:
5 ‘I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing. …
7 If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you.
8 This is to my Father’s glory, that you bear much fruit, showing yourselves to be my disciples.
5 ‘I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing. …
7 If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you.
8 This is to my Father’s glory, that you bear much fruit, showing yourselves to be my disciples.
Moreover, the vine is an upward-twining plant that calls us to ascend in Christ Jesus in kingly authority to bring God’s kingdom treasures to earth and carry them to their predestined place through the wisdom of Issachar.
The ‘Carnivore’, the ‘Herbivore’, and the Dwelling Place of God
Based on the connection of the three tribes of Israel in the first unit, the connection between a carnivore/meat-eater as Judah has the emblem of a lion, an herbivore as Issachar has the emblem of a donkey, which point to the dwelling place, is also clear. From this we may discern the call of God encouraging us to eat His flesh, that is, His solid food (cf. Hebrews 5:14), and meanwhile be guided in the spirit of wisdom and revelation like Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah who ate vegetarian food (cf. Daniel 1:11-12.14-17) as we enter more deeply into the dwelling place of God, namely, His presence (cf. John 14:2).
Hebrews 5:14:
14 But solid food is for the mature, who by constant use have trained themselves to distinguish good from evil.
14 But solid food is for the mature, who by constant use have trained themselves to distinguish good from evil.
Daniel 1:11-12.14-17:
11 Daniel then said to the guard whom the chief official had appointed over Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael and Azariah,
12 ‘Please test your servants for ten days: give us nothing but vegetables to eat and water to drink. …
14 So he agreed to this and tested them for ten days.
15 At the end of the ten days they looked healthier and better nourished than any of the young men who ate the royal food.
16 So the guard took away their choice food and the wine they were to drink and gave them vegetables instead.
17 To these four young men God gave knowledge and understanding of all kinds of literature and learning. And Daniel could understand visions and dreams of all kinds.
11 Daniel then said to the guard whom the chief official had appointed over Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael and Azariah,
12 ‘Please test your servants for ten days: give us nothing but vegetables to eat and water to drink. …
14 So he agreed to this and tested them for ten days.
15 At the end of the ten days they looked healthier and better nourished than any of the young men who ate the royal food.
16 So the guard took away their choice food and the wine they were to drink and gave them vegetables instead.
17 To these four young men God gave knowledge and understanding of all kinds of literature and learning. And Daniel could understand visions and dreams of all kinds.
John 14:2:
2 My Father’s house has many rooms; if that were not so, would I have told you that I am going there to prepare a place for you?
2 My Father’s house has many rooms; if that were not so, would I have told you that I am going there to prepare a place for you?
The East Wind and God’s Intervention
Additionally, we may expect the Lord to speak to us with the presence of His face as the Son of Man and to intervene in the form of the ‘east wind’ because it is the first unit of the army of Israel that encamps in the east (note: in front). This may result in the economy of the ‘wicked’ being shaken (cf. Exodus 10:13-15 i.c.w. Psalm 48,4-7).
Exodus 10:13-15:
13 So Moses stretched out his staff over Egypt, and the Lord made an east wind blow across the land all that day and all that night. By morning the wind had brought the locusts; 14 they invaded all Egypt and settled down in every area of the country in great numbers. Never before had there been such a plague of locusts, nor will there ever be again.
15 They covered all the ground until it was black. They devoured all that was left after the hail – everything growing in the fields and the fruit on the trees. Nothing green remained on tree or plant in all the land of Egypt.
13 So Moses stretched out his staff over Egypt, and the Lord made an east wind blow across the land all that day and all that night. By morning the wind had brought the locusts; 14 they invaded all Egypt and settled down in every area of the country in great numbers. Never before had there been such a plague of locusts, nor will there ever be again.
15 They covered all the ground until it was black. They devoured all that was left after the hail – everything growing in the fields and the fruit on the trees. Nothing green remained on tree or plant in all the land of Egypt.
Psalm 48:4-7:
4 When the kings joined forces, when they advanced together, 5 they saw her and were astounded; they fled in terror.
6 Trembling seized them there, pain like that of a woman in labour.
7 You destroyed them like ships of Tarshish shattered by an east wind.
4 When the kings joined forces, when they advanced together, 5 they saw her and were astounded; they fled in terror.
6 Trembling seized them there, pain like that of a woman in labour.
7 You destroyed them like ships of Tarshish shattered by an east wind.
It is significant that we move forward with God’s intervention to see the triumph of God over our enemies, who are also His enemies. It is like what was happening at the time of the parting of the Reed Sea in the persecution of the people of Israel by the hordes of Pharaoh, whose purpose the LORD thwarted (cf. Exodus 14:21-25).
Exodus 14:21-25:
21 Then Moses stretched out his hand over the sea, and all that night the Lord drove the sea back with a strong east wind and turned it into dry land. The waters were divided, 22 and the Israelites went through the sea on dry ground, with a wall of water on their right and on their left.
23 The Egyptians pursued them, and all Pharaoh’s horses and chariots and horsemen followed them into the sea.
24 During the last watch of the night the Lord looked down from the pillar of fire and cloud at the Egyptian army and threw it into confusion.
25 He jammed the wheels of their chariots so that they had difficulty driving. And the Egyptians said, ‘Let’s get away from the Israelites! The Lord is fighting for them against Egypt.’
21 Then Moses stretched out his hand over the sea, and all that night the Lord drove the sea back with a strong east wind and turned it into dry land. The waters were divided, 22 and the Israelites went through the sea on dry ground, with a wall of water on their right and on their left.
23 The Egyptians pursued them, and all Pharaoh’s horses and chariots and horsemen followed them into the sea.
24 During the last watch of the night the Lord looked down from the pillar of fire and cloud at the Egyptian army and threw it into confusion.
25 He jammed the wheels of their chariots so that they had difficulty driving. And the Egyptians said, ‘Let’s get away from the Israelites! The Lord is fighting for them against Egypt.’
We should turn our faces to God’s face, so that He may touch us with the necessary dynamics of His Holy Spirit for the future, and that we may even boldly fulfil our apostolic mission entrusted by Him (cf. John 20:21-22).
John 20:21-22:
21 Again Jesus said, ‘Peace be with you! As the Father has sent me, I am sending you.’
22 And with that he breathed on them and said, ‘Receive the Holy Spirit.
21 Again Jesus said, ‘Peace be with you! As the Father has sent me, I am sending you.’
22 And with that he breathed on them and said, ‘Receive the Holy Spirit.
Amen and Amen.
In His Wisdom,
Daniel Glimm
