Our Vision

Introduction

As we look around the current cultural and political landscape, we see multiple examples of confusion concerning the basic principles needed for a moral order that will provide for a well-functioning society. It seems we cannot even agree on what constitutes a well-functioning society. It seems those yearning for a well-functioning society are sitting quietly by, while certain forces mold our society in ways that lead us to conclude, our moral compass has malfunctioned. How long can we endure before we decide to rise from our easy chairs and do something about it? This is not a new phenomenon, as past cultures and societies have faced similar challenges. Men who have been lackadaisical had allowed it to happen, and left it for other men to rise up and put things right. It is a cycle that’s been repeated many times, seen in the historical record, in the biblical record, and in our lifetimes.

Often we look to the Bible partly as an instruction manual. The Creator of the Universe has given us His Word to reveal who He is and what His plans are, and to guide us to live an orderly and productive life as individuals, families, and societies. We are off course and in need of a course correction. But this undertaking will be a battle, a battle in a war waged against us since the Creation. Our enemy is wily and sly, and has gas-lighted us through deception. But the Word of Truth, the Word of Life, Jesus himself, gives us the battle plans we need to defeat the enemy. Now is the time gentlemen! Perhaps you hear God calling you to join in the fight, but don’t know quite how. Rise from the easy chair and join in the fight against evil, against the insidious nature of the lies and plans of the enemy to destroy you, your family, and your nation.

Let’s look at the situation and problem described above from a biblical lens. The biblical record, I assert, contains similar times where God’s people were off course, in need of course correction. With these parallels we may be able to glean a way forward with corrective prescriptions.

Israel, from Beauty to Ashes

The Exodus is a key event that contributed greatly to the rise of the greatest civilization in history: western civilization. But even Israel, having experienced first-hand the dynamic and powerful miracles of God, lost its way after a few generations. As early as the closing days of the conquest of Canaan, we see the cracks begin to form, as Joshua addresses the Israelites (Joshua 24:14–15). Then, in the book of Judges, a number of cycles of decline to depravity, repentance, and return to idol worship occur, ultimately ending with descriptions of utter depravity (Judges 17–21). And the concluding verse of the book of Judges succinctly gives the analysis: “In those days there was no king in Israel. Everyone did what was right in his own eyes.” (Judges 21:25).

And so the people demanded a king, and God grants their request, but Saul was not faithful to the Word of the Lord. So God selected David to be king because David was a man after God’s own heart:

“And when he had removed him [Saul], he raised up David to be their king, of whom he testified and said, ‘I have found in David the son of Jesse a man after my heart, who will do all my will.’” (Acts 13:22).

Thereafter, Saul became jealous and sought David’s life (1 Samuel 18:6–11). David fled from Saul and went into hiding. But the Lord was with him, and others as well. David became the leader of an army of men, which essentially formed spontaneously and organically (1 Samuel 22:1–2, 1 Samuel 23:13; 1 Chronicles 12).

Ultimately, David attains the throne, but God does something more: He established that a descendant of King David would sit on David’s Throne throughout eternity (2 Samuel 7:8–16, 1 Chronicles 17:7–14, Psalms 132:11–12, Isaiah 9:6–7, Isaiah 11:1–5, 10, Jeremiah 23:5–6, Jeremiah 33:14–17, Ezekiel 37:24–25). All Hail King Jesus! He is the King of kings and the Lord of lords, and He reigns forevermore.

Why the Sons of Issachar?

Above, I mention 1 Chronicles 12, when so many men joined with David and his army. In verse 32 of that chapter, the Scripture says “of the sons of Issachar who had understanding of the times, to know what Israel ought to do, their chiefs were two hundred; and all their brethren were at their command.” This verse is unique among the others in chapter 12, in that the other versus give no reasoning as to why these men joined with David. For the Sons of Issachar, they had an understanding of the times, and therefore, they knew what Israel had to do, and acted. Hence our motto: “Understand, know, act.” In the execution of our discipleship, we must focus on these elements, for clarity of purpose will lead to effective execution.

Discipleship. To develop an understanding and clarity of knowing what ought to be done, modern-day Sons of Issachar practice rigorous discipleship. We know that Jesus is on the throne and that we are His hands and feet. We need to know His Word through and through, as this is one way He gives us His commands. But He also speaks to us and we discern His will through prayer and supplication. We start to see with increasing clarity the state of our culture, communities, self-governance, and the impact of these things on our marriages, families, communities, and nation. This is understanding the times.

What ought we do? Understanding the times brings clarity to what we ought to do. Is it enough to be a cheerleader in the pews, or do we need to be on the front lines of the battle? Jesus is our model, our example, He said, “Follow me.” He healed the sick, raised the dead, taught receptive crowds, and taught a small group of men how to be and how to make disciples. He also confronted evil and corruption, and especially the corruption of the leaders of the day. He bids us to do the same. As men, it is our God-given job to protect our marriages, our families, our communities, and our nation. It is not enough to be arm-chair quarterbacks. Our action is needed; our participation is essential; without it we die, but Jesus bids us to die to self so we may live in Him and live with abundance.

Confronting moral confusion. As disciples of Jesus, we must follow Him and do what He taught us to do in His earthly ministry. As part of discipleship we learn how to confront the moral confusion and corruption of today. We are soldiers on a mission from God to establish His Kingdom here on Earth, but our weapons, equipment, strategies, and tactics are God given through His Word and through revelation gleaned through prayer. And like any other soldier we must learn and practice the art of the kind of warfare we will be engaging in. However, while our purpose and goals are the same as the first-century church, the twenty-first-century demands we adapt our methods, strategies and tactics. Thus our discipleship is training in modern cultural and spiritual warfare.

“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, and also for me, that words may be given to me in opening my mouth boldly to proclaim the mystery of the gospel, for which I am an ambassador in chains, that I may declare it boldly, as I ought to speak.” (Ephesians 6:10–20).

I pray you join me in this holy, righteous and glorious battle.