Good things come to those who love Torah.
Israel’s tribe called Issachar became known as the tribe that was the most faithful to preserve and teach the Torah.
HOW THE WISE MEN CAME TO BE
The tribe of Zebulun also loved Torah.
They loved it so much that they made an agreement with Issachar that they would work and provide financial support for the men of Issachar as they sat in their tents and studied and carefully taught the Torah.
Before Moses died, he gave blessings to all of the tribes.
The blessing for Issachar and Zebulan was shared.
These were the words that Moses spoke over them:
“Rejoice Zebulun in your going out, and you, Issachar, in your tents. They will summon peoples to the mountain and they offer the sacrifices of the righteous; they will feast on the abundance of the seas, on the treasures hidden in the sand.”
TWO BLESSINGS THAT SAID THE SAME
Moses’ words came true.
Later in the nation’s history, the descendants of Issachar became the tribe of men who sat in their tents and taught and recorded Torah to and for the people of the land.
They were supported financially by the work of the trades from the men of Zebulun.
Moses’ words over this tribe echoed the Patriarch Jacob’s words over his son Issachar as the Patriarch blessed each son during the days when he was dying.
THE WISE MEN
These men of Issachar became known far and wide as “men who discerned the times and knew what to do.”
Fast forward to the time of the birth of Christ; years and years after the wilderness experiences.
We know now that every little thing that happened in the wilderness journey pointed toward that day when The Messiah would come.
Wise men came with treasures seeking a new born King of The Jews.
These, ”wisemen” were men who “discerned the times” and “knew the correct courses to take.”
THE TRUE DESCENDANTS OF ISSACHAR
These Wise Men that we all mistakenly thought were Gentiles (because they came “from the East”) were simply descendants of the generations of the Men of Issachar.
They came from the line of Daniel and the other captives that the King of Babylon had taken into his religious circles and called Magi.
All of them were NOT Gentile; many of them were the descendants of Issachar and the true children of Abraham, though their identities had long been “hidden in the sand.”
ARE YOU FOLLOWING THE STAR?
So; we think of Nethanel, Son of Zuar, who got to keep the “el” designation at the end of his name when all of the other priest had to drop it because of lack of concern for the building of the Tabernacle.
Nathanel was one of the wise men of Issachar whose descendants were eventually known for preserving the Torah, studying and knowing the truth of God, and eventually following the star and finding the Messiah of the world.
This great destiny of the descendants of Nethanel had been firmly set all the way back to the days of Moses!
DISCERNING DESTINY AND FOLLOWING IT
No one realized how important the Sons of Issachar would be in the history of the world back in those days.
When God gives us a destiny we have to follow it with all of our hearts.
That was what Nethanel was known for.
When the first man stepped into the waters of the Red Sea to cross on faith alone; Nethanel was the next to follow. He did not hesitate; but willingly took the risk of being wrong in order to honor and obey the leadership of God; even before the great seas were parted.
He had faith and kept moving forward in obedience.
STEP INTO THE KINGDOM WITH YOUR WHOLE HEART
Half-hearted destinies never bring the desired results.
They only wind up delaying their purposes.
When God determines to do something; no man can change His course.
If you let Him, God will use you; if not, He will find someone else.
God’s plan will come about.
He is the same today, tomorrow and forever.
His plans for mankind will never change.
BE LIKE THE WISEMEN
Be like those wisemen; those noble sons of Issachar.
Study Torah.
Teach Torah to others.
Obey God and follow the star.
Believe.