“From the tribe of Issachar, there were 200 leaders of the tribe with their relatives. All these men understood the signs of the times and knew the best course for Israel to take.”
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1 Chronicles‬ ‭12‬:‭32‬ ‭NLT

The mention of the sons of Issachar serves as a curious footnote. Notably are a few factors that make them different from the others on this list of David’s armies. First is that they were skilled men, but not in utilitarian skills and blue-collar work. Instead, these men were likely sage counselors. What’s more is that this knowledge wasn’t about military tactics or conquests. It was about discernment. The text reads that they understood the times and knew what was the right path because of it. They used logic rather than might. The other interesting factor is that their numbers were small. They were comprised of only 200 men, women, and children. Strung together, this tells us something profound. It doesn’t take might or numbers to be useful and counted. As a bonus, it should be noted that it wasn’t just 200 men amongst the thousands of warriors. It was their women and children. This mention directly correlates to their wisdom. These things served as a stew of success that was able to be a rival to thousands of warriors. Family units of men who knew the culture and the news and placed them in a biblical context were as good as hordes of soldiers for the kingdom. Given that the majority of churches are not large mega churches but small congregations, this ought to be an exciting premise with which to understand what one of those small, familial, culturally sensitive churches can do.

Unique Skill Set: The sons of Issachar were skilled counselors known for their discernment and understanding of the times, using logic rather than military might.

Small but Mighty: Despite their small number of 200 men, women, and children, the sons of Issachar were considered valuable and influential.

Wisdom and Family: The inclusion of women and children alongside the men highlights the importance of family units and cultural awareness in their wisdom.