Hebrew Word Study – Cutting to the Chase – Bin – Beth Yod Nun

I Chronicles 12:32: “And the children of Issachar which were men that had understanding of the times to know what Israel ought to do; the heads of them were two hundred and all their brethren were at their command.”

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“These are times which try men’s soul.”   Thomas Paine – “Crisis”

“Many wearing rapiers are afraid of goose quills.”   Shakespeare – “Hamlet.” 

Thomas Paine was a journalist, publisher and soldier of the Continental Army during the Revolutionary war.  As a soldier he was a complete failure. So, he returned to doing what he did well and that was writing. In 1776 he published “The Crisis” which was a strong defense for America’s independence from England. His little pamphlet was so popular that practically every soldier in the Continental Army read or had it read to him.   The “Crisis” was a series of articles written by Thomas Paine. The first article published on December 23, 1776 so inspired George Washington that he ordered it be read to every soldier at Valley Forge. This article started with the words: “These are times which try men’s soul.” This article is a beautifully crafted work of literature leaving no doubt that Thomas Paine may not have been a very good soldier but was a gifted writer. Thomas Paine helped inspire a nation to continue fighting for independence even when it seemed to be a lost cause. Thomas Paine proved the words of Edward Bulwer-Lytton “The pen is mightier than the sword” to be very true. He accomplished more for the revolutionary cause of America with his pen than he could ever have accomplished with a rifle. Such words as : “Yet we have this consolation that the harder the conflict the more glorious the triumph. What we obtain too cheap we esteem too lightly.” These were and are powerful and beautifully crafted words that only one with a special gift for that time and season could offer.

In I Chronicles Israel is preparing for war, there is a roll call, Zebulon, expert at war brought 50,000 soldiers to fight, Naphtali brought 1,000 captains and 37,000 warriors, Danites, expert at war brought 28,600 etc.  The we check out Issachar and what do they offer” two hundred. Commentators called Issachar a tribe of cowards, who did not want to fight. I tend to think they were a tribe Thomas Paine’s. The verse further states that all the brethren were at the bidding of Issachar. It did not number the “brethren” because the intent of the passage was that all the brethren meant all of Israel, not just all of Issachar.   The whole Israelite army was at the bidding of Issachar. Why was this?  Because they were men who had understanding of the times. 

The word understanding is bin. It is also used as a preposition for between. It could also be an adjective or an adverb. It is also used to express understanding or discernment.  But this is an understanding that comes from looking between the lines. The expression “understanding the times” is a Hebraic idiom.  It is also used in the Book of Esther and has the idea of one who can cut to the chase so to speak. The word times is anah with means times and seasons, but also consequences. In other word one who has “understanding of the times” is one who can see down the road and know the consequences of a present action. 

Issachar bordered with Zebulon. According to the Talmud, Zebulon was a tribe of merchants and Issachar was a tribe of scholars who studied Torah. The people of Zebulon were so busy with the merchant business they did not have time to study so they helped support Issachar financially so they could spend all their time studying Torah and in return Zebulon hoped to reap the spiritual rewards Issachar received from their study of Torah. The Talmud calls Issachar as a people ‘in between” (bin) the flocks.  In other words, they shared the benefits of their study with Zebulon in return for their financial support. Even today Jews often reference such an arrangement where one studies Torah and another will support this person in return for the knowledge and wisdom he gleans from his study as an Issachar and Zebulon arrangement. I believe in a sense pastors are an Issachar to their congregation Zebulon. Chaim Bentorah ministries strives to be an Isaachar to the spiritual Zebulons who hunger for the Word of God but struggle with many obligations that keep them from deeper studies. 

Issachar was respected as a tribe of scholars who could advise the Israelite army on what the Word of God had to say about a coming battle. They hand an ‘understanding of the times” or a deep understanding of how to apply the Word of God to the present time.

When it came time to go to war, the entire army of the nation was at the bidding of 200 scholars, men who spent their lives studying Torah. Even today, as I write this Israel is at war with Hamas. Before invading the Gaza strip the leaders of the Israeli Defense Force is consulting with rabbis regarding the Holy Scriptures before going to battle. This is probably why the Apostle Paul refers to the Word of God in Hebrews 4:12 as “sharper than a two edge sword.” The IDF would not go to war without consulting the Word of God. Issachar with their 200 scholars was making a greater contribution that the warriors that numbered in the thousands. 

I can tell you that this old soldier is getting mighty weary of the battle, getting tired of being the good soldier.  I am sitting at Valley Forge and I need word from my “Thomas Paine” to spur me on to final victory.    My Thomas Paine, my Issachar is the Holy Spirit and every time I open up the Word of God He gives me a message from the Word of God that gives me that extra strength to keep moving on and fighting the good fight. Do you want to encourage me? Then don’t give me words, give me the Word of God.

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