Issachar

Issachar the ninth born son of Jacob is receiving his blessing and latter time judgment as it pertains to him and his future tribe.

“Issachar is a strong ass couching down between two burdens:” Genesis 49:14

Unfortunately, many think upon the negative characteristics of the “ass” or donkey such as being stubborn, hard headed, and foolish before the more positive ones like strength, laborious, and industrious. Issachar would inherit this positive Spirit at a latter time. The Tribe of Issachar would toil and till their land and have vast agricultural knowledge. In the nature of a beast of burden (ass), Issachar would be dedicated to their land which is a burdensome task (Genesis 49:15). However, transgression also brought forth the burden of the Most High!

“And thy heaven that is over thy head shall be brass, and the earth that is under thee shall be iron.”
Deuteronomy 28:23

The two burdens of heaven being brass and the earth being iron was bestowed upon Issachar and the other tribes by the Lord to cut the spiritual connection with the Most High. Accordingly, prayers went unanswered, lands were no longer plush to till or yield any agricultural blessings. Due to transgression, Issachar would be cursed and go into captivity as did the rest of his brethren.

“And the LORD commanded me at that time to teach you statutes and judgments, that ye might do them in the land whither ye go over to possess it. [15] Take ye therefore good heed unto yourselves; for ye saw no manner of similitude on the day that the LORD spake unto you in Horeb out of the midst of the fire: [16] Lest ye corrupt yourselves, and make you a graven image, the similitude of any figure, the likeness of male or female, [17] The likeness of any beast that is on the earth, the likeness of any winged fowl that flieth in the air, [18] The likeness of any thing that creepeth on the ground, the likeness of any fish that is in the waters beneath the earth: [19] And lest thou lift up thine eyes unto heaven, and when thou seest the sun, and the moon, and the stars, even all the host of heaven, shouldest be driven to worship them, and serve them, which the LORD thy God hath divided unto all nations under the whole heaven.” Deuteronomy 4:14-19

Issachar followed along with the rest of the 10 Tribes in their practice of idol worship, astrology, and unrighteous sacrifice (http://www.truenation.org/10_Tribes_Of_Israel.pdf). They would learn the ways of the heathen and bring forth the judgment of the Most High.

“Because they provoked his spirit, so that he spake unadvisedly with his lips. [34] They did not destroy the nations, concerning whom the LORD commanded them: [35] But were mingled among the heathen, and learned their works. [36] And they served their idols: which were a snare unto them. [37] Yea, they sacrificed their sons and their daughters unto devils, [38] And shed innocent blood, even the blood of their sons and of their daughters, whom they sacrificed unto the idols of Canaan: and the land was polluted with blood. [39] Thus were they defiled with their own works, and went a whoring with their own inventions. [40] Therefore was the wrath of the LORD kindled against his people, insomuch that he abhorred his own inheritance. [41] And he gave them into the hand of the heathen; and they that hated them ruled over them. [42] Their enemies also oppressed them, and they were brought into subjection under their hand.” Psalms 106:33-42

These works of unrighteousness is what caused Issachar to be laden with the cursed burdens of the Most High in this latter time.

“And he saw that rest was good, and the land that it was pleasant; and bowed his shoulder to bear, and became a servant unto tribute.” Genesis 49:15

Issachar would find rest within his inherited land. The plush land was good for agriculture and livelihood. Issachar would till the land as a strong ass “couched down” or laying and relaxed in his inheritance. The burden of upkeep would cause him to be a servant unto tribute. The tribute was the land given to him from the Most High. Also, taken into captivity the tribe of Issachar would eventually become tributaries unto the kingdom of Assyria.

“And the LORD gave unto Israel all the land which he sware to give unto their fathers; and they possessed it, and dwelt therein. [44] And the LORD gave them rest round about, according to all that he sware unto their fathers: and there stood not a man of all their enemies before them; the LORD delivered all their enemies into their hand.” Joshua 21:43-44

“Let their table become a snare before them: and that which should have been for their welfare, let it become a trap. [23] Let their eyes be darkened, that they see not; and make their loins continually to shake.” Psalms 69:22-23

“In the days of Pekah king of Israel came Tiglathpileser king of Assyria, and took Ijon, and Abelbethmaachah, and Janoah, and Kedesh, and Hazor, and Gilead, and Galilee, all the land of Naphtali, and carried them captive to Assyria.” II Kings 15:29

What was once a blessing now has become a curse to the Tribe of Issachar due to their disobedience and wickedness. Their inherited land was lost and became a trap of captivity for them.

“And of Zebulun he said, Rejoice, Zebulun, in thy going out; and, Issachar, in thy tents. [19] They shall call the people unto the mountain; there they shall offer sacrifices of righteousness: for they shall suck of the abundance of the seas, and of treasures hid in the sand.” Deuteronomy 33:19

Issachar was prophesied to inherit land in close proximity with his brother Zebulon. As you can see on the map Zebulon was slightly NW of Issachar. They were neighbors and they worked together in their works of the Most High. Righteous sacrifices were offered by them in their due time and season. Issachar had knowledge of the times and seasons as a gift of the Most High.

“And of 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 commandment.” 1 Chronicles 12:32

Issachar would assist with the calling and gathering of Israel for times of worship, sacrifice, war and praise. Being able to read the heavens, knowledge of moon cycles, and solar time was vital.

“And God said, Let there be lights in the firmament of the heaven to divide the day from the night; and let them be for signs, and for seasons, and for days, and years:” Genesis 1:14

While Issachar was in alignment with the scriptures, they reaped the benefits of the land “sucking the abundance of the seas” (the Jordan River was their eastern border) and treasures hid in the sand showing the agricultural wealth that the land possessed.