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.

1 Chronicles 12:32

What does it mean to understand the signs of the times? The men of Issachar were living during a time when Saul was king of Israel, but David had been anointed as king by Samuel. From a political perspective their decision was important – which way should they go and what the “best course for Israel to take.”

Saul’s disobedience was public and even though David’s anointing was private, surely people knew, so according to one Bible commentary, “they cast their lot with David rather than Saul.”

Today we live in a world where Christ will one day rule and reign, but while the price has already been paid, we have not realized what life will be like when Christ returns to set things right. With that in mind, our decisions that lead to the best course to take are those that align with what is good and true and honorable before God and man.

Practically, what does it look like to take the best course?