Revelation Themes and Eschatological Applications

The Need of the Hour

Transcript: AI Transcript

Professor: John Weaver

Subject: New Testament Studies

Genre: Sermon

Dictation Name:

Date: 2021-11-28

Synopsis: John Weaver examines 1 Chronicles 12:32 to identify the qualities of men needed in a time of national crisis, drawing parallels between ancient Israel's transition from Saul to David and contemporary America. He argues that the need of the hour is for men who understand the times, know what to do, have the ability to act, possess right motives, and rely on God's power.

[John Weaver] Let's open our Bibles into 1 Chronicles chapter 12, and we're going to be reading verse 32. 1 Chronicles chapter 12, verse 32. The title of the message is, The Need of the Hour. The need of the hour. We will be looking at other verses in 1 Chronicles 12, but we're going to start with verse 32, and we'll come back to this verse several times. Notice, if you would, the Bible says, 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." Years ago, I preached a message similar to this. I even titled the message exactly the same. I think I even had the same exact points, but the contents of this message are entirely different from that first message. And the reason I'm re-preaching this is I was reading through 1 Chronicles recently, and I was struck again with the truths of this chapter.

[John Weaver] and I thought how applicable it is in our day and time. Many times we have heard the phrase and even used the phrase, the need of the hour, or the lateness of the hour, or the present hour, or this very hour. If you would take the time to read through the New Testament, you might be impressed with the use of the word hour. For instance, in the book of Revelation alone, The word hour is used ten different times. If you read those passages, I think you can understand where we derive the lateness of the hour, or this very hour, or the need of the hour from.

[John Weaver] Let me give you some quotes. Revelation chapter 14, verse 7. The Scripture says, saying with a loud voice, fear God, and give glory to him, for the hour of his judgment is come, and worship him that made heaven and earth and sea and the fountains of water." So the Bible then talks about the hour of his judgment. And then in Revelation 18 in verse 10,"...standing afar off for fear of her torment, saying, Alas, alas, that great city Babylon, that mighty city, for in one hour thy judgment is come." Then when you get Revelation 18 and verse 17, for in one hour great riches is come to naught. In one hour. And then finally in Revelation chapter 18 and verse 19, the Bible said, And they cast dust on their heads and cried, weeping and wailing, saying, Alas, alas, that great city wherein was made rich, all that had ships in the sea, by reason of her costliness, for in one hour She is made desolate." So when we say the hour is late, we're not exaggerating.

[John Weaver] It is indeed late, and the judgment of God has already begun to fall on our country. The interesting thing is about God's judgment is, if you would read Amos chapter 4, you'll find that when God sends judgment, initially it is a light judgment. But when that judgment is refused, when that judgment is unheeded, when that judgment is unanswered, God always intensifies and makes the next judgment even more severe. So judgment is indeed falling, I believe, on our country.

[John Weaver] In fact, if you look around, I think you understand that every branch of government is corrupt and basically only cares about one thing, and that's power and staying in power and exercising what you and I would call tyrannical control. The news media is in cahoots with the federal government. If you don't believe that, all you have to do is turn to all the news channels on the TV set, and you will hear them saying exactly the same thing. And there have been emails and there have been things on the internet where they've placed all of these news channels together, and everybody's saying the same thing instantaneously. And not only that, but Big Pharma is in bed not only with the government, but also with the news media. And if you believe anything that comes out of the mainstream media, you're probably wrong all the way around. In fact, the truth of the matter is, attacks are being made against truth, just about on every subject whatsoever.

[John Weaver] And those who are telling the truth now are labeled as insurrectionists, seditionists, traitors, and spreaders of false information. while the spreaders of false information is coming from the mainstream media and from the government as well. It's interesting that traitors are today calling patriots traitors. So to say that we have forsaken the Word of God, to say that we have forsaken biblical principles and the Law of God would be an understatement.

[John Weaver] We as a nation, through our leaders, have become rebellious idolaters. Moloch worship Satanism and statism are now the norm in this country. I just recently read an article that was printed actually back in the 1980s, and that article was complaining of the fact of how satanism is now spreading through our military and satanism and not just witchcraft, but pure satanic worship is now being recognized as a legitimate religion in the military.

[John Weaver] So interestingly, that has been going on for a long time. But there are no concerns today for truth or for character, for freedom. It's all about power and it's all about control. You remember the fellow by the name of Klaus Schwab, head of the Economic Forum, who said, you will own nothing and you will be happy. So translated, that simply means that you will be the slaves for those that own everything. It's what it amounts to. And you will have to be satisfied with whatever they give you because that's all you're going to get.

[John Weaver] The interesting thing about First Chronicles chapter 12 is this. When you read this chapter, The theme of this chapter concerns the removal of the dynasty of King Saul, who was a rebellious, disobedient, murderous tyrant, and the installation of King David, a man after God's own heart. So to summarize 1 Chronicles chapter 12, it is the removing of King Saul and his wicked regime and installing David in a godly establishment. Now, it should be obvious that we are in need at this very same hour, just like those Israelites were in 1 Chronicles chapter 12.

[John Weaver] So clearly then, if there is no repentance in our country, there is no change. If there is no return to the Lord Jesus Christ and his truth, The hour of judgment is not only upon us, it's going to be even more fully upon us. So we are in a desperate time, much like those in 1 Chronicles 12. So let's ask the question, what is the need of the hour? We could ask it like this, what was the need of the hour in 1 Chronicles 12? Now, I think if we can see what was the need of the hour in 1 Chronicles chapter 12, we can also see what is the need of the hour today in our country and in our time as well. So, I want you to look then in 1 Chronicles chapter 12 and verse 32.

[John Weaver] And here then is the first thing. The need of the hour is for men that know what ought to be done. Look in verse 32. 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."

[John Weaver] Now, there are three very clear implications in this passage, and I might also add these are very important truths. First of all, I want you to note in verse 32 that the men of Issachar first of all, had understanding of the times in which they lived. They knew of the wickedness of Saul and his house. They knew of the power of Abner, his commander-in-chief. They knew that Ish-bosheth, Saul's son, was a weakling and he could not hold the throne. They also knew of the division and the danger that they were in, as well as their country was in at the same time. They knew that the politics that was prevalent at that particular time were wicked and evil. So we need men today that have understanding of the times as well. We need men today that understand that the same scenario that occurred in ancient Israel during 1 Chronicles 12 is now being played out in America. So where are our men that have understanding of the times? Where are our men that know what to do?

[John Weaver] If there are men that do really and truly do have understanding, then they need to reveal themselves. So here we had, in verse 32, the Bible says men of understanding. They had understanding of the times. They knew exactly what was going on. Here's a second truth in verse 32. They not only had understanding of the times, the Bible says that they knew what Israel ought to do. Have you ever noticed that if you know what you ought to do, you really don't have a problem? When I say that, a problem is not a problem if you know what to do. If you have the answer, then you do not have a problem. So here, They not only had understanding of the times, they knew exactly what Israel ought to do.

[John Weaver] And that is this, disestablish the tyranny and the reign of Saul and his sons, and to establish the reign of David who is a man after God's own heart. Now, if you will turn in your Bibles, holding 1 Chronicles chapter 12, I want you to look, if you would please, at 2 Samuel chapter 5. 2 Samuel chapter 5. And notice, if you would please, the first three verses.

[John Weaver] So we're talking about the men of Israel, the men of Iskar, who had understanding of the times, who knew what Israel ought to do. Note, if you would, verse 1, Then came all the tribes of Israel to David and to Hebron. Now, you have to remember that David reigned for seven years in Judah. He reigned another 33 years over all of Israel. Judah had already made David king. Now all of Israel is coming to make David king. So watch it in verse 1, 2 Samuel 5. Then came all the tribes of Israel to David and to Hebron, and spake, saying, Behold, we are thy bone and thy flesh. Also in time past, when Saul was king over us, thou wast he that led us out and brought us in Israel. And the Lord said to thee, thou shalt feed my people Israel, and thou shalt be captain over Israel. So all the elders of Israel came to the king of Hebron, and king David made a league or covenant with them in Hebron before the Lord, and they anointed David king over Israel."

[John Weaver] Now, notice if you would please, in this passage, there are three qualifications or three requirements that are listed for David to be king. The first one is this, they said in verse 1, Behold, we are thy bone and thy flesh. In other words, we're brothers. We are related. We are the same kindred. We are the same people. If you read Deuteronomy 17, you will find that God forbade an alien or a foreigner to be king or to rule over his people. He said, if you're going to choose a king, you have to choose a brother. You have to choose someone from among yourselves. So, notice if you would, they said, we are bone of thy bone and flesh of thy flesh. In other words, We are relatives.

[John Weaver] The second truth is here. They said in verse two, and also in time past, when Saul was king over us, thou must lead us out and brought us in Israel. In other words, David had a testimony. They knew David to be a very courageous man, a man of valor, a man of honesty. And if you will remember, it was Saul who got upset when David would return. And the women would take their timbrels and sing, Saul has slain his thousands and David his tens of thousands. So it was David who actually led out and led back in the armies of Israel. So he had a testimony. They knew him to be a man of character and a man of valor. And here's the third truth. The Bible says, And the Lord said unto thee, Thou shalt feed my people Israel, and thou shalt be a captain over Israel." So the third thing was the Lord had designated, the Lord had ordained that David be the captain and the ruler over Israel. But note if you would, he was not only of their bone and their flesh, he only had a testimony.

[John Weaver] It was the will of God that David become the king. Note if you would now in verse 3. So all the elders of Israel came to the king to Hebron, and king David made a league or covenant with them in Hebron before the Lord, and they anointed David king over Israel." The interesting thing is this, even though God had appointed David to be king, He did so along with the will and the recognition of the people. In other words, the people chose David because they knew that God had chosen David, And David entered into covenant with them to be God's king, and they were going to be God's people as well.

[John Weaver] Now, the truth of the matter is this. We're in trouble in this country because we have ignored these biblical principles. We've ignored biblical law. We have chosen men to be our rulers in this country based upon party, either Democrat or Republican, charm, money, hairstyle, race, color, or the promises they make. We don't choose men anymore based upon their character, their integrity, the will of God, and the fact that they are our kin, our kith, and our kindred. No, no, no. So we're in deep trouble.

[John Weaver] Now let me show you something. Since you're in 2 Samuel, turn right over to 2 Samuel chapter 23, and I want you to look at the first three verses. Because here is a principle that is enunciated by David, and David claims direct inspiration from God for this statement. Look at it. 2 Samuel chapter 23, verse 1. Now, these be the last words of David. David the son of Jesse said, and the man who was raised up on high, the anointed of the God of Jacob, and the sweet psalmist of Israel said, The Spirit of the Lord spake by me, and His Word was in my tongue. The God of Israel said, the Rock of Israel spake to me."

[John Weaver] Watch this sentence,"'He that ruleth over men must be just, ruling in the fear of God.'" Isn't that a simple statement? "'He that ruleth over men must be just, ruling in the fear of God.'" You cannot be just unless you're ruling in the fear of God. The amazing thing to me is how many times David claims direct inspiration for this one simple statement. I want you to look in verse 2.

[John Weaver] The Spirit of the Lord spake by me. That's one time. His word was in my tongue, that's twice. The God of Israel said, that's three times. The rock of Israel spake to me, that's four times. So four times David claims direct inspiration for this one statement, he that ruleth over men must be just, ruling in the fear of God. So clearly then, the men of Issachar not only had understanding of the times, they knew what Israel must do. That is why in 2 Samuel 5, they came to make David king over all Israel.

[John Weaver] Now, I want you to go back to verse chronicles chapter 12 and verse 32, because I told you there were three truths in this passage that we need to understand. The first one was indeed that there were men that had understanding. Number two, there were men that knew what to do. Notice the third thing in verse 32. The Bible says, the heads of them were 200. That is, there were 200 men of Issachar. There were men of understanding that knew what Israel must do. And here's the one that's really mind-boggling.

[John Weaver] And all their brethren were at their commandment. 200 men out of the tribe of Issachar knew what Israel must do. And all their brethren were at their commandment." In other words, the rest of the people were just willing to submit, to obey and follow the truth. They were not arguing over who should lead. They were not arguing over who was going to have the last word. They were not arguing over who was going to receive the honor and the glory. No, no, no. They were just simply willing to obey. They understood here were these men that had understanding of the times. They knew what Israel must do. And now they're willing to just simply obey and follow these men.

[John Weaver] Now, the problem that we have today is this. It's not only true in our political arena, it's also true in the ecclesiastical arena as well. Everybody wants to be the head. Everybody wants to be the chief, but nobody wants to be the Indian. I have known pastors and still know pastors that if they cannot be the leader, if they cannot dictate, if they cannot order, if they cannot get glory and fame, if they cannot benefit, if their church cannot benefit, then they're going to just take their marvels and go home. It's just that simple. You know, Here's a truth that we must learn, and I mean learn it very, very well, and that is this, that God is absolutely sovereign. And what I mean by that is this, God uses whom he wills, when he wills, where he wills, and how he wills.

[John Weaver] Now, let me ask you a question. Would you be pleased and delighted if God used you? And the answer should be yes. As a pastor, would I be pleased and delighted if God used me? And the answer would be yes. I want to be used by God. But the truth is this, whether God uses me or not is His business. He may use whomever He pleases. And if God is pleased not to use me, But if he's pleased to use a pastor down the street, I'm more than happy for him to use that pastor down the street. I'm more than happy to pray with him and to help him and support him. The only thing I would be really concerned about is that the kingdom of God be advanced.

[John Weaver] And that was the attitude of these people. They could care less who got the honor and who got the glory. They could care less. All they wanted was what needed to be done, done, and done in a right manner. We have to learn that it doesn't matter who God uses. Whomever He uses, that's whom we must support and that's who we pray for and help. It's God's choice. It's God's will.

[John Weaver] So the very first thing that we can say the need of the hour is we need men that have understanding of the times, that know what we must do, And we must be willing to follow those who have that biblical insight. Here's the second thing. I want you to look at verses 14-16 in 1 Chronicles 12. Look in verse 14. The second truth is this. The need of the hour is for men who are able to do what needs to be done. Look in verse 14.

[John Weaver] These were the sons of Gad, captains of the host, one of the least was over a thousand, and the greatest, one of the least over a hundred, and the greatest over a thousand. These are they that went over Jordan in the first month, when it overflowed all of its banks. And they put to flight all them of the valleys, both toward the east and toward the west.

[John Weaver] And there came also of the children of Benjamin and Judah to the hold of the David." Now, I want you to note, if you would please, These were men who had the ability to do what needed to be done. They were indeed men of valor. They were men of courage. They were men of strength. Note, if you would, the Bible says that these went over Jordan in the first month when it overflowed its banks. They put those people on the other side to fight, both toward the East and toward the West, which means they were real, genuine men.

[John Weaver] They were not soy boys. They were not flower children. They were not gender-fluid, sexually confused individuals. And I can assure you that none of these men wore dresses, pressing around with lipstick and earrings in their ears. No, no, no. These were men. They knew they were men, they acted like men, and they were not ashamed to be men.

[John Weaver] Now, let me show you something. If you look back at verse 15, verse 14 it is. Some of you have marginal references in your Bibles, and here's a marginal reference to verse 14. When it says, these were the sons of Gad, captains of the host, here's the marginal reference. One of the least could resist a hundred, and the greatest could resist a thousand." When you look at the context, that would probably be an accurate translation as well as interpretation, because they're the ones who went over Jordan when it overflowed its banks, which means it was an extremely dangerous time, and they still crossed over and put all of those people to flight, both in the east and in the west. The interesting thing is this, you say, what do you mean, the least could resist a hundred and the greatest could resist a thousand? Yes. Let me show you. Whole 1 Chronicles chapter 12, but look back in your Bibles to 2 Samuel chapter 23. You need to read 2 Samuel chapter 23 because this passage deals with David's mighty men.

[John Weaver] And let's begin reading there with verse 8. Watch carefully. These be the names of the mighty men whom David had. The Tachibnite that sat in the seat chief among the captains, the same was Adino the Esnite. He lifted up his spear against eight hundred whom he slew at one time. Now that doesn't mean that he threw his spear and it went through eight hundred at one time. Of course not. But what it means is he did take that spear and in one battle he killed eight hundred men.

[John Weaver] He's pretty close to resisting a thousand just by himself. Look at verse 9, And after him was Eliezer the son of Dodo the Ahohite, one of the three mighty men with David, when they defied the Philistines that were there, gathered together to battle. And the men of Israel were gone away, that is, most of the soldiers were not there. He arose and smote the Philistines until his hand was weary, and his hand clave unto the sword.

[John Weaver] And the Lord wrought a great victory that day, and the people returned after him only to spoil." So here's a man who fought and slew the enemy until his sword actually claimed into his hand, that is, his hand tightened up around that sword, and they had to come and pry his hand loose to get the sword out of his hand. I mean, he killed, I have no earthly idea.

[John Weaver] The Bible does not say. But the Bible does say that he wrought a great victory that day, and the people returned after him only to spoil. And then if you'll look in verse 11, and after him was Shammah the son of Agee the Harahite, And the Philistines were gathered together into a troop, where was a place, a piece of ground full of lentils. And the people fled from the Philistines. But he, one man, stood in the midst of the ground and defended it, and slew the Philistines, and the Lord wrought a great victory." So here's a man, one man, defying a whole host, and the Lord used him for a great victory.

[John Weaver] So clearly then, These individuals were men of might. If you'll go back now to 1 Chronicles chapter 12 and look at verses 1 and 2. 1 Chronicles 12 verses 1 and 2.

[John Weaver] Now these are they that came to David a ziklag while he yet kept himself close because of Saul the son of Tish. And they were among the mighty men, helpers of the war. Now watch. And they were armed with bows and could use both the right hand and the left in hurling stones and shooting arrows out of a bow, even as Saul's brethren of Benjamin." Well, we remember that the men of Benjamin were left-handed, but they were also ambidextrous. They could use either hand and shooting a bow. or hurling stones. In fact, the Bible said they could hurl a stone at a hare's breath and not miss.

[John Weaver] Every time I read that verse, I think of my father. My father and my mother were both left-handed. But when Dad started bow hunting, he shot his bow right-handed. Then he got to thinking later on that maybe he should shoot a left-handed bow, because he's left-handed. So he bought himself a left-handed bow, and he hunted with that for a while. And then he couldn't make up his mind whether it was better left-handed or right-handed. So he bought a third bow, and the third bow had the arrow rest in the center and could be shot either right-handed or left-handed. So he decided, you know, he could shoot either one like that. He could shoot either way. It didn't bother him.

[John Weaver] But these men were armed and could use both hands in firing bows and also in hurling stones. So they were indeed mighty men. Skip down to verse 8. Look at what the Bible says. We're talking about these men now. And of the Gaddites, they're separated themselves unto David into the hold of the wilderness, men of might, men of war. sent for the battle that could handle shield and buckler, whose faces were like the faces of lions, and were swift as the rose upon the mountains." So they could handle a shield, that is, they could ward off swords, they could ward off all kind of blows with their shield. The buckler was something that they got under when all the arrows come flying over. But notice the Bible says their face was a face as of a lion.

[John Weaver] Now, the interesting thing about a lion is they can be very deceitful. Years ago, I was preaching in Arizona and not far from where I was staying, there was a Vietnam veteran who had a private zoo. And so the pastor's son took me down to that zoo. And the owner of the zoo was showing me around. We were the only ones there. And it was really not open, but he was just showing me around. And we came to the lion cage. And here's this docile, beautiful, big male lion. And the owner reached in and petted him.

[John Weaver] And I looked at him. I said, could I pet him as well? He said, sure. So I reached in and I petted that big lion. Looks just like a big kitten. No? I thought, well, that's nice. A little bit later on, we were there still and he was going around feeding. We came to that nice, pettable lion. And the owner said, stand back. Don't even get near the cage. I said, why?

[John Weaver] He said, I'll show you. And when he threw that big hunk of meat in that cage, That lion snarled and growled and jumped on that meat and went to tearing it to shreds. And when he snarled, you could see all those teeth. Absolutely, totally terrifying. And I think that's what this means when it says they had faces like a lion. They could terrify you. They were determined. They were ferocious.

[John Weaver] They were men who knew how to fight. Now, let me show you something. It's important that we grasp this. Notice in verse 8, we're talking about the Gaddites. Notice in verses 1 and 2, here's just some men that came to David from Ziglag who were helpers in the war. Some of them even were of Saul's brethren of Benjamin. That is, they were from the southern kingdom. But the point I'm trying to make is this. The men who were able to do that which needed to be done were different from the men who had understanding of the times and knew what Israel must do.

[John Weaver] They were of the tribe of Issachar. So you have two different groups. And what you have then is these men are working together to accomplish what needed to be done. They were not working against each other. They were working together. And here's a simple truth. God uses men. He does not use committees. He does not use politicians. He does not use wimps. He uses men. So the very need of the hour was, number one, men that had understanding of the times, that knew what needed to be done. Number two, the need of the hour was for someone with the ability to actually do that which needed to be done. Here's the third thing. The need of the hour is for men that have the ability to do what needs to be done with the right motive.

[John Weaver] I want you to look at verses 17 and 18. And David went out to meet them. So now we're talking about these men of Gad and also Benjamin and Judah.

[John Weaver] Now remember, Saul was a Benjamite. So David goes out to meet these men. Some are from the northern kingdom, some from the southern kingdom, some from the very tribe that Saul is from. David went out to meet them and answered and said unto them, If you become peaceably unto me to help me, mine heart shall be knit unto you. But if you become to betray me to mine enemies, seeing there is no wrong in mine hands, the God of our fathers look their own and rebuke it. Then the Spirit came upon Amasa, who was the chief of the captains, and he said, Thine are we, David, and on thy side, thou son of Jesse, peace, peace be unto thee, and peace be to thine helpers, for thy God helpeth thee. Then David received them and made them captives of the band."

[John Weaver] Now, skip down to verse 33. Look what the Bible says here. Verse 33,"...of Zebulun, such as went forth to battle, expert in war, with all instruments of war, fifty thousand, which could keep rank, and they were not of a double heart." Then look in verse 38,"...all these men of war that could keep rank came with a perfect heart to Hebron, to make David king over all Israel, And all the rest also of Israel were of one heart to make David king." So notice if you would, in verse 18, he says,"...thy God be with thee, thy God helpeth thee." And then these men, verse 33, were not of a double heart. That is, they had a single heart, they had a single function, they had a single mind, they had a single purpose. You know, the Bible says in James 1 and verse 8, a double-minded man is unstable in all of his ways. A double-minded man really cannot function because he doesn't know what to do. He doesn't know how to act.

[John Weaver] He has a double mind. And these men had single minds and single hearts. So let me tell you something. You can do a right thing in a wrong way. You can do a right thing with a wrong motive and be judged by God. There are many times people do things with the wrong motives. Revenge, hatred, personal gain, whether it's wealth, honor, or power, all of these are wrong motives. I can take you through the Bible and show you so many men who did things that were right. But they did them with the wrong motive.

[John Weaver] Jehu happened to be one of them. Jehu was the king of Israel. God used Jehu to destroy the house of Ahab and Jezebel. God also used Jehu to exterminate Baal worship out of Israel. In fact, Jehu got all of the Worshippers of Baal into the temple of Baal. And he said, search and make sure that there are no servants of Yahweh or Jehovah in here. And then when they made sure, he went outside to the soldiers and said, if any man gets out, your life or his, kill them all.

[John Weaver] And that's exactly what he did. Jehu reformed the state or the kingdom. But he did not reform the church. He did not reform the religion because he kept the idols that Jeroboam had made. Let me give you a quote. First of all, let me give you Hosea 1 and verse 4. I want you to listen carefully. God is talking to Hosea. And Hosea and his wife are about to have a child.

[John Weaver] And the Lord said unto him, Call his name Jezreel. For yet a little while I will avenge the blood of Jezreel upon the house of Jehu, and will cause to cease the kingdom out of the house of Israel." God promised Jehu four generations on the throne. Now God is saying, I'm going to vindicate my honor, and although Jehu did some right things, he did them with a wrong motive. Here's what John Trapp said about Hosea 1 in verse 4 and Jehu. He said, Jehu's house is visited and his progeny extinguished in the fourth generation for Jehu's offenses.

[John Weaver] God's work must be done truly, that there be no halting and totally that there be no having. But Jehu, as he had not that true heart spoken of by the apostle, but was of a double mind, like that mad Neapolitan that said he had two hearts one for God another for him that would so he fulfilled not after God or followed God not fully as Caleb did he did not allow or follow God's will as did David he served him not with a perfect heart as did Asa he reformed the state but not the church or if he did something toward it yet he was not thorough in it He had a dispensatory conscience, for though he rooted out Baal's worship, yet the golden calves must continue. Listen to this, piety must give place to policy. Jehu seemed at first to be as zealous as a Reformer as Jehoshaphat, but though his fleece was fair, his liver was rotten.

[John Weaver] He was like the eagle which soareth aloft, not for any love of heaven, Her eye is all the while upon the prey, which by this means she spies sooner and seetheth upon the better." So he was saying, J. Hugh did some right things, but with a wrong motive.

[John Weaver] Now, I want you to listen carefully to this. God may use you even if you have wicked and wrong motives. But God will then turn around and judge you for doing what you did, even though it was right, with a wrong and wicked motive. Let me show you. I want you to turn in your Bibles, if you would, to Isaiah chapter 10. Isaiah chapter 10. And let's begin reading there with verse 5. You know that God used Assyria to judge and chastise the northern kingdom, the ten northern tribes. God sent them.

[John Weaver] There is no doubt about that whatsoever. So in Isaiah chapter 10, look in verse 5 at how God identifies them. He says, O Assyrian, the rod of mine anger and the staff in their hand is mine indignation.

[John Weaver] Now let's stop right there just for a moment. He calls the Assyrian the rod of his anger. And he says, the staff in their hand is mine indignation.

[John Weaver] Now look in verse 6. God says, I will send him against the hypocritical nation. And against the people of my wrath will I give him a charge." Now, God says, I sent him and I'm giving him a charge. What's his charge? To take the spoiled and to take the prey and to tread them down like the mire of the streets. So, God is sending the Assyrians in to judge and to destroy Israel because of their sins and their idolatry.

[John Weaver] Now, let me ask you a question. Did the Assyrians come to Israel and say, we're here because you've sinned against God, and we're here because we want to obey God, and we want to honor God, and we want to do that which is right? No. No. Look at verse 7, Although God sent them, although God used them, howbeit he, that is the Assyrian, meaneth not so, neither doth his heart think so, but it is in his heart to destroy, to cut off nations, not a few. The only reason the Assyrians came against Israel was because they wanted to loot and plunder and rape and steal and kidnap and do whatever else they wanted to do. They did not come out of honor to God, or obedience to God. God used them even though their motives were wicked and wrong. Well, what happened? After God used them, He turned around and judged them because of their wicked motives. Look in verse 12.

[John Weaver] Wherefore it shall come to pass that when the Lord had performed His whole work upon Mount Zion and on Jerusalem, God says, I will punish the fruit of the stout heart of the king of Assyria and the glory of his high looks. Now watch the pride and the arrogance. For he saith, By the strength of my hand I have done it, and by my wisdom for I am prudent.

[John Weaver] For I have removed the bounds of the people, and have robbed their treasures. Now I have put down the inhabitants like a vagrant man, and mine hand hath found as a nest the riches of the people. And as one that gathered eggs that are left, have I gathered all the earth. And there was none that moved the wing, or opened the mouth, or peeped. And here's what God asked, shall the axe boast itself against him that heweth therewith? Or shall the saw magnify itself against him that shaketh it, as if the rod should shake itself against them that lift it up? Or as if the staff should lift up itself, as if it were no wood?

[John Weaver] Therefore shall the Lord, the Lord of hosts, send among his fat ones leanness, and under his glory he shall kindle a burning like the burning of a fire. God said, I'm going to judge him. And the reason I'm going to judge him is because of his pride, arrogance, wickedness. He did it with the wrong motive. I sent him. He did what I wanted him to do, but not out of a right motive. Motives do count.

[John Weaver] May I remind you of Samson? It is obvious, it is clear that God used Samson in the book of Judges. But have you ever noticed, as you read through the book of Judges, how many times Samson violated his Nazarite vow. He did it over and over. He touched the dead body, which he was not to do. He visited the harlots. He intermingled with the Philistines. He did all kinds of things he should not have done. Did God use him?

[John Weaver] And the answer is yes. Did God judge him? And the answer is yes. He lost his power. He lost his eyes. And he lost his life. He did plenty of right things, but with a wrong motive. I want you to turn in your Bibles, if you would, to 2 Chronicles 16. Let me show you very quickly about King Asa. King Asa was one of these individuals who did some right things, that is for sure. King Asa faced the Ethiopians and the Lubens, and may I point out, that they had over a million soldiers. And of course, Asa, he only had four or five hundred thousand. So he was outnumbered two to one and maybe even more. And he prayed to God and trusted in God, and God gave him that victory. God gave all those Ethiopians into His hand. I want you to watch. When the King of Israel comes against him, He now sends to the king of Syria for help. And Israel is not anywhere near like the Ethiopians. So in Second Chronicles, chapter 16, beginning of verse seven.

[John Weaver] And at that time, Hanani the seer came to Ace, the king of Judah, and said unto him, Because I was relied on the king of Syria, and that's not relied on the Lord by God, therefore is the host of the king of Syria escaped out of mine hand. Were not the Ethiopians and the Lubins a huge host? And yet very many chariots and horsemen, with very many chariots and horsemen, yet because thou didst rely on the Lord, He delivered them into thine hand.

[John Weaver] Now watch what he says next. For the eyes of the Lord run to and fro throughout the whole earth, to show Himself strong in behalf of them whose heart is perfect toward Him. Herein thou hast done foolishly. Therefore from henceforth thou shalt have wars. Notice, if you would, he is rebuked by Hanani for trusting in the king of Syria instead of God. And then he makes this marvelous statement and promise in verse 9. For the eyes of the Lord run to and fro throughout the whole earth. to show himself strong in behalf of them whose heart is perfect toward him." In other words, this passage indicates that God is looking for men, men of ability, men with a right and pure motive to use them. And may I point out that this promise is also in a military context. So clearly, God is wanting to use men.

[John Weaver] The need of the hour is not only the need for men that have understanding of the times that know what we must do. It's not only the need of men of ability that can do what needs to be done. The need of the hour is also with men of ability that can do what needs to be done with the right motive. And here's the fourth one. The need of the hour is also for men who will do what needs to be done in the grace, mercy, and power of God. If you'll look in 2 Chronicles 12 at verse 18, here's what Amasi said to David. Notice, if you would, verses, let's see, First Chronicles, let me go back. It's First Chronicles chapter 12. Notice if you would, verse 17, at what he said in verse 17, he says, verse 18, it is he said, Peace, peace be unto thine helpers for thy God helpeth thee. Then skip down to verse 22. For that time, day by day, there came to David to help him until it was a great host like the host of God.

[John Weaver] Now, the interesting thing is this. One of the leading names of God in the Bible is the God of hosts or the Lord God of hosts. The word host refers to armies. So the Bible is teaching us that God is indeed the captain of the armies. In other words, if we're going to fight for God, we must fight under Him according to His law according to His rule, because He is the true Captain.

[John Weaver] I want you to look in your Bibles to the book of Joshua, chapter 5. You remember God has ordained that Joshua lead the children of Israel into Canaan land. And of course, the first battle is the fall of Jericho. Interestingly, before that battle, Joshua is walking around, and he sees a man with a sword drawn. So look in Joshua 5, verse 13, And it came to pass, when Joshua was by Jericho, that he lit up his eyes, and looked, and, behold, there stood a man over against him with a sword drawn in his hand. And Joshua went unto him, and said unto him, Art thou for us, or for our adversaries? And he said, Nay.

[John Weaver] But as captain of the host of the Lord am I now come.' And Joshua fell on his face to the earth and did worship, and said unto him, What saith my Lord unto his servant? And the captain of the Lord's host said unto Joshua, Loose thy shoe from off thy foot, for the place whereon thou standest is holy. And Joshua did so." I personally believe this is a Christophany, which is a pre-incarnate appearance of Christ in the Old Testament. Joshua asked,"'Art thou forester for our adversaries?' He said,"'Neither, but as captain of the Lord's host am I now come.' And Joshua immediately fell down and worshipped him."

[John Weaver] There is a need today, but the need is for a special kind of men, men of understanding, men of knowledge, yes, men of ability, men with right motives, but men who are willing to fight under the auspices and power of God. Now, I want you to turn in your Bibles. to the book of Jeremiah, chapter 17. Now I want you to note something, and here is where we are today. The Word of God talks about those who want to trust in the arm of the flesh, as well as those who want to trust in the One True and the Living God. Note, if you would, in Jeremiah, chapter 17, you have a curse and a blessing.

[John Weaver] These are placed in opposition to each other. In Jeremiah chapter 17, let's begin reading there with verse 5, and look what the Scripture says. Thus saith the Lord, Cursed be the man that trusteth in man, and maketh flesh his arm, whose heart departed from the Lord.

[John Weaver] Now, I think there's a very important truth here. Anytime you trust in your flesh, anytime you trust in man, your heart is departing from the Lord. Think back to Asa. That's why he was rebuked. So if you want to trust in the arm of the flesh, if you want to trust in man, here's the curse. Look in verse six. For he shall be like the heath in the desert and shall not see when good cometh, but shall inhabit the parched places in the wilderness in a salt land and not inhabited. In other words, desolation. But watch verse seven and eight. Blessed is the man that trusts in the Lord and whose hope the Lord is. For he shall be as a tree planted by the waters, and that spreadeth out her roots by the river, and shall not see when he cometh.

[John Weaver] But her leaves shall be green, and shall not be careful in the year of drought, neither shall cease from yielding fruit." So God says, here's the choice. You can either serve the flesh, or you can serve me in the Spirit, entrusting me. You can either serve the arm of the flesh, or you can serve the Lord in the Spirit. One of the biggest problems that we have today is that we try to do everything scripturally and spiritually in the arm of the flesh.

[John Weaver] We always fail when we do that, and we bring ourselves under a curse. So we need men who are going to fight. We need men who are going to stand. We need men who are going to do that which is right. in the power and the Spirit of God. You remember what the Bible says in the book of Zechariah? Not by my inner power, but by my Spirit, saith the Lord. So it's the Holy Spirit of God. That is why in Colossians 3 and verse 17, the Scripture said, And whatsoever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, giving thanks unto God the Father by Him. So the need of the hour is for men, men of understanding, men of knowledge that know what we really need to do, men of ability that can do what needs to be done, men of ability that can do it with the right motive, and men of ability with the right motive who will stand in the power and might of the Holy Spirit.

[John Weaver] Now, let me make just a couple of applications. a poem, if you would call it that. It was written by Joshua Gilbert Holland. I quoted this back during that series that I did on where are the real men. But in light of this message, I want you to listen to this again. It's very short. He wrote, God, give us men. A time like this demands strong minds, great hearts, true faith, and ready hands.

[John Weaver] men whom the lust of office does not kill, men whom the spoils of office cannot buy, men who possess opinions and a will, men who have honor, men who will not lie, men who can stand before a demagogue and damn his treacherous flatteries without winking, tall men, sun-crowned, who live above the fog, in public duty and in private thinking, For while the rabble, with their thumb-worn creeds, their large professions and their little deeds, mingled in selfish strife, low freedom weeps, wrong rules the land, and waiting justice sleeps." And that is exactly where we are today. And that's why he began this, God give us men. And we do need men of the caliber that is given to us in 1 Chronicles chapter 12.

[John Weaver] Here's the second application, and I want you to think about this. The motto of the state of New Jersey, not New Jersey, I'm sorry, New Hampshire. The motto of the state of New Hampshire is a very short one. Does anybody in here know what it is? Live free or die. That's the motto. It's on their tags. Live free or die. I thought about that motto. And I thought, you know, there's plenty of men that are willing to help you die. But very few that are willing to help you live free. And when you think about freedom, you have to understand that freedom is only in the Lord Jesus Christ. The Bible teaches us In 2 Corinthians 3, verse 17, now the Lord is that Spirit. And where the Spirit of the Lord is, there's liberty. There's no liberty apart from God. There's no freedom apart from God. That's why in Galatians 5, in verse 1, our Lord said, Stand fast, therefore, in the liberty of wherewith the Christ hath made you free, and be not entangled again with the yoke of bondage.

[John Weaver] Freedom is only in the Lord Jesus Christ. Think about this. The more biblical, the more holy, and the more godly a nation is, the more freedom exists. The more unholy, the more ungodly, the more wicked, the more rebellious, the more tyranny exists. Look around at all the nations that do not serve God at all, or serve a false god, and look at the tyranny. And if we want to devolve into the third world nation status where we're headed, all we have to do is continue to deny the Word of God of the Lord Jesus Christ. Because the only freedom that exists is in Him. Where the Lord is, there is liberty.

[John Weaver] Where He is not, there is slavery. and bondage. God, give us men. Father, in the name of Jesus Christ, we do pray that you would raise up men to meet the need of the hour. Father, give us men that have understanding of the times. Men that know what we must do. Men that have the ability to do it. Men that have the ability not only to do it, but to do it with the right motive. And men that not only have the ability to do it with the right motive, but will do it under the auspices, command, and power of the sovereign God of heaven and earth. Give us, Lord, holy, godly men. Give us, Lord, Your liberty, Your freedom. In the name of Jesus Christ we ask and pray, Amen.

The Need of the Hour

John Weaver | SermonAudio

Lecture Metadata	Details
Speaker	John Weaver
Source	SermonAudio
Media ID	1129211922281393
Subject	New Testament Studies
Course	Revelation Themes and Eschatological Applications
Genre	Sermon
Date	2021-11-28
Dictation Name
Book	Book 141: Revelation Themes and Eschatological Applications — Chapter 17
Source Timed Segments	80

Formatted Transcript

Introduction: The Lateness of the Hour

Weaver introduces the theme of the lateness of the hour, citing Revelation passages about judgment, and asserts that God's judgment is already falling on America due to corruption and rebellion.

Let's open our Bibles to 1 Chronicles chapter 12, and we're going to be reading verse 32. 1 Chronicles chapter 12, verse 32. The title of the message is, "The Need of the Hour." The need of the hour. We will be looking at other verses in 1 Chronicles 12, but we're going to start with verse 32, and we'll come back to this verse several times. Notice, if you would, the Bible says,

Scripture Reading — 1 Chronicles 12:32

"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."

Years ago, I preached a message similar to this. I even titled the message exactly the same. I think I even had the same exact points, but the contents of this message are entirely different from that first message. And the reason I'm re-preaching this is I was reading through 1 Chronicles recently, and I was struck again with the truths of this chapter.

And I thought how applicable it is in our day and time. Many times we have heard the phrase and even used the phrase, "the need of the hour," or "the lateness of the hour," or "the present hour," or "this very hour." If you would take the time to read through the New Testament, you might be impressed with the use of the word "hour." For instance, in the book of Revelation alone, the word "hour" is used ten different times. If you read those passages, I think you can understand where we derive "the lateness of the hour," or "this very hour," or "the need of the hour" from. Let me give you some quotes. Revelation chapter 14, verse 7. The Scripture says,

Scripture Reading — Revelation 14:7

"...saying with a loud voice, Fear God, and give glory to him; for the hour of his judgment is come: and worship him that made heaven, and earth, and the sea, and the fountains of waters."

So the Bible then talks about the hour of his judgment. And then in Revelation 18 and verse 10, "...standing afar off for the fear of her torment, saying, Alas, alas, that great city Babylon, that mighty city! for in one hour is thy judgment come." Then when you get to Revelation 18 and verse 17, "...for in one hour so great riches is come to nought." In one hour. And then finally in Revelation chapter 18 and verse 19, the Bible said, "And they cast dust on their heads, and cried, weeping and wailing, saying, Alas, alas, that great city, wherein were made rich all that had ships in the sea by reason of her costliness! for in one hour is she made desolate." So when we say the hour is late, we're not exaggerating.

It is indeed late, and the judgment of God has already begun to fall on our country. The interesting thing about God's judgment is, if you would read Amos chapter 4, you'll find that when God sends judgment, initially it is a light judgment. But when that judgment is refused, when that judgment is unheeded, when that judgment is unanswered, God always intensifies and makes the next judgment even more severe. So judgment is indeed falling, I believe, on our country. In fact, if you look around, I think you understand that every branch of government is corrupt and basically only cares about one thing, and that's power and staying in power and exercising what you and I would call tyrannical control. The news media is in cahoots with the federal government. If you don't believe that, all you have to do is turn to all the news channels on the TV set, and you will hear them saying exactly the same thing. And there have been emails and there have been things on the internet where they've placed all of these news channels together, and everybody's saying the same thing instantaneously. And not only that, but Big Pharma is in bed not only with the government, but also with the news media. And if you believe anything that comes out of the mainstream media, you're probably wrong all the way around. In fact, the truth of the matter is, attacks are being made against truth, just about on every subject whatsoever.

The Need for Men Who Know What Ought to Be Done

From 1 Chronicles 12:32, Weaver highlights the men of Issachar who had understanding of the times and knew Israel should disestablish Saul's tyranny and establish David's reign.

So clearly then, if there is no repentance in our country, there is no change. If there is no return to the Lord Jesus Christ and his truth, the hour of judgment is not only upon us, it's going to be even more fully upon us. So we are in a desperate time, much like those in 1 Chronicles 12. So let's ask the question, what is the need of the hour? We could ask it like this, what was the need of the hour in 1 Chronicles 12? Now, I think if we can see what was the need of the hour in 1 Chronicles chapter 12, we can also see what is the need of the hour today in our country and in our time as well. So, I want you to look then in 1 Chronicles chapter 12 and verse 32.

And here then is the first thing. The need of the hour is for men that know what ought to be done. Look in verse 32. "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."

Now, there are three very clear implications in this passage, and I might also add these are very important truths. First of all, I want you to note in verse 32 that the men of Issachar first of all, had understanding of the times in which they lived. They knew of the wickedness of Saul and his house. They knew of the power of Abner, his commander-in-chief. They knew that Ish-bosheth, Saul's son, was a weakling and he could not hold the throne. They also knew of the division and the danger that they were in, as well as their country was in at the same time. They knew that the politics that was prevalent at that particular time were wicked and evil. So we need men today that have understanding of the times as well. We need men today that understand that the same scenario that occurred in ancient Israel during 1 Chronicles 12 is now being played out in America. So where are our men that have understanding of the times? Where are our men that know what to do?

If there are men that do really and truly do have understanding, then they need to reveal themselves. So here we had, in verse 32, the Bible says men of understanding. They had understanding of the times. They knew exactly what was going on. Here's a second truth in verse 32. They not only had understanding of the times, the Bible says that they knew what Israel ought to do. Have you ever noticed that if you know what you ought to do, you really don't have a problem? When I say that, a problem is not a problem if you know what to do. If you have the answer, then you do not have a problem. So here, they not only had understanding of the times, they knew exactly what Israel ought to do.

And that is this, disestablish the tyranny and the reign of Saul and his sons, and to establish the reign of David who is a man after God's own heart. Now, if you will turn in your Bibles, holding 1 Chronicles chapter 12, I want you to look, if you would please, at 2 Samuel chapter 5. 2 Samuel chapter 5. And notice, if you would please, the first three verses.

Biblical Qualifications for Leadership

Using 2 Samuel 5 and 2 Samuel 23, Weaver outlines that leaders must be kin, have a testimony of character, be appointed by God, and rule justly in the fear of God.

So we're talking about the men of Israel, the men of Issachar, who had understanding of the times, who knew what Israel ought to do. Note, if you would, verse 1,

Scripture Reading — 2 Samuel 5:1-3

"Then came all the tribes of Israel to David unto Hebron."

Now, you have to remember that David reigned for seven years in Judah. He reigned another 33 years over all of Israel. Judah had already made David king. Now all of Israel is coming to make David king. So watch it in verse 1, 2 Samuel 5.

Scripture Reading — 2 Samuel 5:1-3

"Then came all the tribes of Israel to David unto Hebron, and spake, saying, Behold, we are thy bone and thy flesh. Also in time past, when Saul was king over us, thou wast he that leddest out and broughtest in Israel: and the Lord said to thee, Thou shalt feed my people Israel, and thou shalt be a captain over Israel. So all the elders of Israel came to the king to Hebron; and king David made a league with them in Hebron before the Lord: and they anointed David king over Israel."

Now, notice if you would please, in this passage, there are three qualifications or three requirements that are listed for David to be king. The first one is this, they said in verse 1, "Behold, we are thy bone and thy flesh." In other words, we're brothers. We are related. We are the same kindred. We are the same people. If you read Deuteronomy 17, you will find that God forbade an alien or a foreigner to be king or to rule over his people. He said, if you're going to choose a king, you have to choose a brother. You have to choose someone from among yourselves. So, notice if you would, they said, "We are bone of thy bone and flesh of thy flesh." In other words, we are relatives.

The second truth is here. They said in verse two, "And also in time past, when Saul was king over us, thou wast he that leddest out and broughtest in Israel." In other words, David had a testimony. They knew David to be a very courageous man, a man of valor, a man of honesty. And if you will remember, it was Saul who got upset when David would return. And the women would take their timbrels and sing, "Saul has slain his thousands and David his ten thousands." So it was David who actually led out and led back in the armies of Israel. So he had a testimony. They knew him to be a man of character and a man of valor. And here's the third truth. The Bible says, "And the Lord said to thee, Thou shalt feed my people Israel, and thou shalt be a captain over Israel." So the third thing was the Lord had designated, the Lord had ordained that David be the captain and the ruler over Israel. But note if you would, he was not only of their bone and their flesh, he not only had a testimony.

It was the will of God that David become the king. Note if you would now in verse 3. "So all the elders of Israel came to the king to Hebron; and king David made a league with them in Hebron before the Lord: and they anointed David king over Israel." The interesting thing is this, even though God had appointed David to be king, He did so along with the will and the recognition of the people. In other words, the people chose David because they knew that God had chosen David, and David entered into covenant with them to be God's king, and they were going to be God's people as well.

Now, the truth of the matter is this. We're in trouble in this country because we have ignored these biblical principles. We've ignored biblical law. We have chosen men to be our rulers in this country based upon party, either Democrat or Republican, charm, money, hairstyle, race, color, or the promises they make. We don't choose men anymore based upon their character, their integrity, the will of God, and the fact that they are our kin, our kith, and our kindred. No, no, no. So we're in deep trouble.

Now let me show you something. Since you're in 2 Samuel, turn right over to 2 Samuel chapter 23, and I want you to look at the first three verses. Because here is a principle that is enunciated by David, and David claims direct inspiration from God for this statement. Look at it. 2 Samuel chapter 23, verse 1. "Now these be the last words of David. David the son of Jesse said, and the man who was raised up on high, the anointed of the God of Jacob, and the sweet psalmist of Israel, said, The Spirit of the Lord spake by me, and his word was in my tongue. The God of Israel said, the Rock of Israel spake to me."

Watch this sentence,

Scripture Reading — 2 Samuel 23:1-3

"'He that ruleth over men must be just, ruling in the fear of God.'"

Isn't that a simple statement?

Scripture Reading — 2 Samuel 23:1-3

"'He that ruleth over men must be just, ruling in the fear of God.'"

You cannot be just unless you're ruling in the fear of God. The amazing thing to me is how many times David claims direct inspiration for this one simple statement. I want you to look in verse 2.

Scripture Reading — 2 Samuel 23:1-3

"The Spirit of the Lord spake by me."

That's one time.

Scripture Reading — 2 Samuel 23:1-3

"His word was in my tongue,"

that's twice.

Scripture Reading — 2 Samuel 23:1-3

"The God of Israel said,"

that's three times.

Scripture Reading — 2 Samuel 23:1-3

"The rock of Israel spake to me,"

that's four times. So four times David claims direct inspiration for this one statement,

Scripture Reading — 2 Samuel 23:1-3

"He that ruleth over men must be just, ruling in the fear of God."

So clearly then, the men of Issachar not only had understanding of the times, they knew what Israel must do. That is why in 2 Samuel 5, they came to make David king over all Israel.

Willingness to Follow Godly Leadership

The men of Issachar's brethren were at their commandment, demonstrating submission to those with biblical insight, contrasting with modern self-seeking attitudes.

"And all their brethren were at their commandment." 200 men out of the tribe of Issachar knew what Israel must do. "And all their brethren were at their commandment." In other words, the rest of the people were just willing to submit, to obey and follow the truth. They were not arguing over who should lead. They were not arguing over who was going to have the last word. They were not arguing over who was going to receive the honor and the glory. No, no, no. They were just simply willing to obey. They understood here were these men that had understanding of the times. They knew what Israel must do. And now they're willing to just simply obey and follow these men.

Now, the problem that we have today is this. It's not only true in our political arena, it's also true in the ecclesiastical arena as well. Everybody wants to be the head. Everybody wants to be the chief, but nobody wants to be the Indian. I have known pastors and still know pastors that if they cannot be the leader, if they cannot dictate, if they cannot order, if they cannot get glory and fame, if they cannot benefit, if their church cannot benefit, then they're going to just take their marbles and go home. It's just that simple. You know, here's a truth that we must learn, and I mean learn it very, very well, and that is this, that God is absolutely sovereign. And what I mean by that is this, God uses whom he wills, when he wills, where he wills, and how he wills.

Now, let me ask you a question. Would you be pleased and delighted if God used you? And the answer should be yes. As a pastor, would I be pleased and delighted if God used me? And the answer would be yes. I want to be used by God. But the truth is this, whether God uses me or not is His business. He may use whomever He pleases. And if God is pleased not to use me, but if He's pleased to use a pastor down the street, I'm more than happy for Him to use that pastor down the street. I'm more than happy to pray with him and to help him and support him. The only thing I would be really concerned about is that the kingdom of God be advanced.

And that was the attitude of these people. They could care less who got the honor and who got the glory. They could care less. All they wanted was what needed to be done, done, and done in a right manner. We have to learn that it doesn't matter who God uses. Whomever He uses, that's whom we must support and that's who we pray for and help. It's God's choice. It's God's will.

So the very first thing that we can say the need of the hour is we need men that have understanding of the times, that know what we must do, and we must be willing to follow those who have that biblical insight. Here's the second thing. I want you to look at verses 14-16 in 1 Chronicles 12. Look in verse 14. The second truth is this. The need of the hour is for men who are able to do what needs to be done. Look in verse 14.

The Need for Men Who Are Able to Do What Needs to Be Done

From 1 Chronicles 12:14-16 and 2 Samuel 23, Weaver describes mighty men of valor, courage, and strength who could fight and achieve victory.

"These were the sons of Gad, captains of the host: one of the least was over an hundred, and the greatest over a thousand. These are they that went over Jordan in the first month, when it had overflown all his banks; and they put to flight all them of the valleys, both toward the east, and toward the west." "And there came of the children of Benjamin and Judah to the hold unto David." Now, I want you to note, if you would please, these were men who had the ability to do what needed to be done. They were indeed men of valor. They were men of courage. They were men of strength. Note, if you would, the Bible says that these went over Jordan in the first month when it overflowed its banks. They put those people on the other side to flight, both toward the east and toward the west, which means they were real, genuine men.

They were not soy boys. They were not flower children. They were not gender-fluid, sexually confused individuals. And I can assure you that none of these men wore dresses, prancing around with lipstick and earrings in their ears. No, no, no. These were men. They knew they were men, they acted like men, and they were not ashamed to be men.

Now, let me show you something. If you look back at verse 14, some of you have marginal references in your Bibles, and here's a marginal reference to verse 14. When it says, "These were the sons of Gad, captains of the host," here's the marginal reference: "One of the least could resist an hundred, and the greatest a thousand." When you look at the context, that would probably be an accurate translation as well as interpretation, because they're the ones who went over Jordan when it overflowed its banks, which means it was an extremely dangerous time, and they still crossed over and put all of those people to flight, both in the east and in the west. The interesting thing is this, you say, what do you mean, the least could resist a hundred and the greatest could resist a thousand? Yes. Let me show you. Hold 1 Chronicles chapter 12, but look back in your Bibles to 2 Samuel chapter 23. You need to read 2 Samuel chapter 23 because this passage deals with David's mighty men.

And let's begin reading there with verse 8. Watch carefully. "These be the names of the mighty men whom David had: The Tachmonite that sat in the seat, chief among the captains; the same was Adino the Eznite: he lift up his spear against eight hundred, whom he slew at one time." Now that doesn't mean that he threw his spear and it went through eight hundred at one time. Of course not. But what it means is he did take that spear and in one battle he killed eight hundred men. He's pretty close to resisting a thousand just by himself. Look at verse 9, "And after him was Eleazar the son of Dodo the Ahohite, one of the three mighty men with David, when they defied the Philistines that were there gathered together to battle, and the men of Israel were gone away:" that is, most of the soldiers were not there. "He arose, and smote the Philistines until his hand was weary, and his hand clave unto the sword."

"And the Lord wrought a great victory that day; and the people returned after him only to spoil." So here's a man who fought and slew the enemy until his sword actually clave into his hand, that is, his hand tightened up around that sword, and they had to come and pry his hand loose to get the sword out of his hand. I mean, he killed, I have no earthly idea. The Bible does not say. But the Bible does say that he wrought a great victory that day, and the people returned after him only to spoil. And then if you'll look in verse 11, "And after him was Shammah the son of Agee the Hararite. And the Philistines were gathered together into a troop, where was a piece of ground full of lentiles: and the people fled from the Philistines. But he stood in the midst of the ground, and defended it, and slew the Philistines: and the Lord wrought a great victory." So here's a man, one man, defying a whole host, and the Lord used him for a great victory.

So clearly then, these individuals were men of might. If you'll go back now to 1 Chronicles chapter 12 and look at verses 1 and 2. 1 Chronicles 12 verses 1 and 2.

Scripture Reading — 1 Chronicles 12:1-2

"Now these are they that came to David to Ziklag, while he yet kept himself close because of Saul the son of Kish: and they were among the mighty men, helpers of the war."

Now watch.

Scripture Reading — 1 Chronicles 12:1-2

"They were armed with bows, and could use both the right hand and the left in hurling stones and shooting arrows out of a bow, even of Saul's brethren of Benjamin."

Well, we remember that the men of Benjamin were left-handed, but they were also ambidextrous. They could use either hand in shooting a bow or hurling stones. In fact, the Bible said they could hurl a stone at an hair's breadth, and not miss.

The Need for Men with Right Motives

Using 1 Chronicles 12:17-18, 33, 38, and examples like Jehu and Assyria, Weaver stresses that God judges those who do right things with wrong motives.

I want you to look at verses 17 and 18. "And David went out to meet them." So now we're talking about these men of Gad and also Benjamin and Judah. Now remember, Saul was a Benjamite. So David goes out to meet these men. Some are from the northern kingdom, some from the southern kingdom, some from the very tribe that Saul is from. "David went out to meet them, and answered and said unto them, If ye be come peaceably unto me to help me, mine heart shall be knit unto you: but if ye be come to betray me to mine enemies, seeing there is no wrong in mine hands, the God of our fathers look thereon, and rebuke it. Then the spirit came upon Amasai, who was chief of the captains, and he said, Thine are we, David, and on thy side, thou son of Jesse: peace, peace be unto thee, and peace be to thine helpers; for thy God helpeth thee. Then David received them, and made them captains of the band."

Now, skip down to verse 33. Look what the Bible says here. Verse 33, "Of Zebulun, such as went forth to battle, expert in war, with all instruments of war, fifty thousand, which could keep rank: they were not of double heart." Then look in verse 38, "All these men of war, that could keep rank, came with a perfect heart to Hebron, to make David king over all Israel: and all the rest also of Israel were of one heart to make David king." So notice if you would, in verse 18, he says, "Thy God helpeth thee." And then these men, verse 33, were not of a double heart. That is, they had a single heart, they had a single function, they had a single mind, they had a single purpose. You know, the Bible says in James 1 and verse 8, "A double minded man is unstable in all his ways." A double-minded man really cannot function because he doesn't know what to do. He doesn't know how to act.

He has a double mind. And these men had single minds and single hearts. So let me tell you something. You can do a right thing in a wrong way. You can do a right thing with a wrong motive and be judged by God. There are many times people do things with the wrong motives. Revenge, hatred, personal gain, whether it's wealth, honor, or power, all of these are wrong motives. I can take you through the Bible and show you so many men who did things that were right. But they did them with the wrong motive.

Jehu happened to be one of them. Jehu was the king of Israel. God used Jehu to destroy the house of Ahab and Jezebel. God also used Jehu to exterminate Baal worship out of Israel. In fact, Jehu got all of the worshippers of Baal into the temple of Baal. And he said, "Search, and make sure that there are no servants of Yahweh or Jehovah in here." And then when they made sure, he went outside to the soldiers and said, "If any man gets out, your life for his, kill them all." And that's exactly what he did. Jehu reformed the state or the kingdom. But he did not reform the church. He did not reform the religion because he kept the idols that Jeroboam had made. Let me give you a quote. First of all, let me give you Hosea 1 and verse 4. I want you to listen carefully. God is talking to Hosea. And Hosea and his wife are about to have a child.

Scripture Reading — Hosea 1:4

"And the Lord said unto him, Call his name Jezreel; for yet a little while, and I will avenge the blood of Jezreel upon the house of Jehu, and will cause to cease the kingdom of the house of Israel."

God promised Jehu four generations on the throne. Now God is saying, I'm going to vindicate my honor, and although Jehu did some right things, he did them with a wrong motive. Here's what John Trapp said about Hosea 1 and verse 4 and Jehu. He said, "Jehu's house is visited and his progeny extinguished in the fourth generation for Jehu's offenses. God's work must be done truly, that there be no halting, and totally, that there be no halving. But Jehu, as he had not that true heart spoken of by the apostle, but was of a double mind, like that mad Neapolitan that said he had two hearts, one for God, another for him that would, so he fulfilled not after God, or followed God not fully, as Caleb did; he did not allow or follow God's will as did David; he served him not with a perfect heart, as did Asa; he reformed the state, but not the church; or if he did something toward it, yet he was not thorough in it. He had a dispensatory conscience, for though he rooted out Baal's worship, yet the golden calves must continue. Listen to this, piety must give place to policy. Jehu seemed at first to be as zealous a reformer as Jehoshaphat, but though his fleece was fair, his liver was rotten.

He was like the eagle which soareth aloft, not for any love of heaven, her eye is all the while upon the prey, which by this means she spies sooner and seizeth upon the better." So he was saying, Jehu did some right things, but with a wrong motive. Now, I want you to listen carefully to this. God may use you even if you have wicked and wrong motives. But God will then turn around and judge you for doing what you did, even though it was right, with a wrong and wicked motive. Let me show you. I want you to turn in your Bibles, if you would, to Isaiah chapter 10. Isaiah chapter 10. And let's begin reading there with verse 5. You know that God used Assyria to judge and chastise the northern kingdom, the ten northern tribes. God sent them.

There is no doubt about that whatsoever. So in Isaiah chapter 10, look in verse 5 at how God identifies them. He says,

Scripture Reading — Isaiah 10:5-15

"O Assyrian, the rod of mine anger, and the staff in their hand is mine indignation."

Now let's stop right there just for a moment. He calls the Assyrian the rod of his anger. And he says,

Scripture Reading — Isaiah 10:5-15

"the staff in their hand is mine indignation."

Now look in verse 6. God says, "I will send him against an hypocritical nation, and against the people of my wrath will I give him a charge." Now, God says, I sent him and I'm giving him a charge. What's his charge? "To take the spoil, and to take the prey, and to tread them down like the mire of the streets." So, God is sending the Assyrians in to judge and to destroy Israel because of their sins and their idolatry.

Now, let me ask you a question. Did the Assyrians come to Israel and say, "We're here because you've sinned against God, and we're here because we want to obey God, and we want to honor God, and we want to do that which is right"? No. No. Look at verse 7, "Howbeit he meaneth not so, neither doth his heart think so; but it is in his heart to destroy and cut off nations not a few." The only reason the Assyrians came against Israel was because they wanted to loot and plunder and rape and steal and kidnap and do whatever else they wanted to do. They did not come out of honor to God, or obedience to God. God used them even though their motives were wicked and wrong. Well, what happened? After God used them, He turned around and judged them because of their wicked motives. Look in verse 12.

"Wherefore it shall come to pass, that when the Lord hath performed his whole work upon mount Zion and on Jerusalem, I will punish the fruit of the stout heart of the king of Assyria, and the glory of his high looks." Now watch the pride and the arrogance. "For he saith, By the strength of my hand I have done it, and by my wisdom; for I am prudent." "And I have removed the bounds of the people, and have robbed their treasures, and I have put down the inhabitants like a valiant man: and mine hand hath found as a nest the riches of the people: and as one gathereth eggs that are left, have I gathered all the earth; and there was none that moved the wing, or opened the mouth, or peeped." And here's what God asked, "Shall the axe boast itself against him that heweth therewith? or shall the saw magnify itself against him that shaketh it? as if the rod should shake itself against them that lift it up, or as if the staff should lift up itself, as if it were no wood?"

"Therefore shall the Lord, the Lord of hosts, send among his fat ones leanness; and under his glory he shall kindle a burning like the burning of a fire." God said, I'm going to judge him. And the reason I'm going to judge him is because of his pride, arrogance, wickedness. He did it with the wrong motive. I sent him. He did what I wanted him to do, but not out of a right motive. Motives do count.

The Need for Men Who Rely on God's Power

From 1 Chronicles 12:18, 22, Joshua 5, and Jeremiah 17, Weaver emphasizes that men must fight under God's command and trust in His Spirit, not the arm of the flesh.

The need of the hour is not only the need for men that have understanding of the times that know what we must do. It's not only the need of men of ability that can do what needs to be done. The need of the hour is also for men of ability that can do what needs to be done with the right motive. And here's the fourth one. The need of the hour is also for men who will do what needs to be done in the grace, mercy, and power of God. If you'll look in 1 Chronicles 12 at verse 18, here's what Amasai said to David. Notice, if you would, verse 18, he said, "Peace, peace be unto thee, and peace be to thine helpers; for thy God helpeth thee." Then skip down to verse 22. "For at that time day by day there came to David to help him, until it was a great host, like the host of God."

Now, the interesting thing is this. One of the leading names of God in the Bible is the God of hosts or the Lord God of hosts. The word "host" refers to armies. So the Bible is teaching us that God is indeed the captain of the armies. In other words, if we're going to fight for God, we must fight under Him according to His law, according to His rule, because He is the true Captain. I want you to look in your Bibles to the book of Joshua, chapter 5. You remember God has ordained that Joshua lead the children of Israel into Canaan land. And of course, the first battle is the fall of Jericho. Interestingly, before that battle, Joshua is walking around, and he sees a man with a sword drawn. So look in Joshua 5, verse 13, "And it came to pass, when Joshua was by Jericho, that he lifted up his eyes and looked, and, behold, there stood a man over against him with his sword drawn in his hand: and Joshua went unto him, and said unto him, Art thou for us, or for our adversaries? And he said, Nay."

"But as captain of the host of the Lord am I now come. And Joshua fell on his face to the earth, and did worship, and said unto him, What saith my lord unto his servant? And the captain of the Lord's host said unto Joshua, Loose thy shoe from off thy foot; for the place whereon thou standest is holy. And Joshua did so." I personally believe this is a Christophany, which is a pre-incarnate appearance of Christ in the Old Testament. Joshua asked, "Art thou for us, or for our adversaries?" He said, "Nay; but as captain of the host of the Lord am I now come." And Joshua immediately fell down and worshipped him.

There is a need today, but the need is for a special kind of men, men of understanding, men of knowledge, yes, men of ability, men with right motives, but men who are willing to fight under the auspices and power of God. Now, I want you to turn in your Bibles to the book of Jeremiah, chapter 17. Now I want you to note something, and here is where we are today. The Word of God talks about those who want to trust in the arm of the flesh, as well as those who want to trust in the One True and the Living God. Note, if you would, in Jeremiah, chapter 17, you have a curse and a blessing. These are placed in opposition to each other. In Jeremiah chapter 17, let's begin reading there with verse 5, and look what the Scripture says. "Thus saith the Lord; Cursed be the man that trusteth in man, and maketh flesh his arm, and whose heart departeth from the Lord."

Now, I think there's a very important truth here. Anytime you trust in your flesh, anytime you trust in man, your heart is departing from the Lord. Think back to Asa. That's why he was rebuked. So if you want to trust in the arm of the flesh, if you want to trust in man, here's the curse. Look in verse six. "For he shall be like the heath in the desert, and shall not see when good cometh; but shall inhabit the parched places in the wilderness, in a salt land and not inhabited." In other words, desolation. But watch verse seven and eight. "Blessed is the man that trusteth in the Lord, and whose hope the Lord is. For he shall be as a tree planted by the waters, and that spreadeth out her roots by the river, and shall not see when heat cometh."

"But her leaf shall be green; and shall not be careful in the year of drought, neither shall cease from yielding fruit." So God says, here's the choice. You can either serve the flesh, or you can serve me in the Spirit, entrusting me. You can either serve the arm of the flesh, or you can serve the Lord in the Spirit. One of the biggest problems that we have today is that we try to do everything scripturally and spiritually in the arm of the flesh. We always fail when we do that, and we bring ourselves under a curse. So we need men who are going to fight. We need men who are going to stand. We need men who are going to do that which is right in the power and the Spirit of God. You remember what the Bible says in the book of Zechariah? "Not by might, nor by power, but by my spirit, saith the Lord." So it's the Holy Spirit of God. That is why in Colossians 3 and verse 17, the Scripture said, "And whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God and the Father by him." So the need of the hour is for men, men of understanding, men of knowledge that know what we really need to do, men of ability that can do what needs to be done, men of ability that can do it with the right motive, and men of ability with the right motive who will stand in the power and might of the Holy Spirit.

Applications and Conclusion

Weaver quotes a poem by Holland and reflects on the motto 'Live Free or Die,' concluding that true freedom is only in Christ and praying for God to raise up such men.

Now, let me make just a couple of applications. A poem, if you would call it that. It was written by Joshua Gilbert Holland. I quoted this back during that series that I did on "Where Are the Real Men?" But in light of this message, I want you to listen to this again. It's very short. He wrote, "God, give us men. A time like this demands strong minds, great hearts, true faith, and ready hands."

"Men whom the lust of office does not kill, men whom the spoils of office cannot buy, men who possess opinions and a will, men who have honor, men who will not lie, men who can stand before a demagogue and damn his treacherous flatteries without winking, tall men, sun-crowned, who live above the fog, in public duty and in private thinking, for while the rabble, with their thumb-worn creeds, their large professions and their little deeds, mingled in selfish strife, lo! freedom weeps, wrong rules the land, and waiting justice sleeps." And that is exactly where we are today. And that's why he began this, "God give us men." And we do need men of the caliber that is given to us in 1 Chronicles chapter 12. Here's the second application, and I want you to think about this. The motto of the state of New Hampshire is a very short one. Does anybody in here know what it is? "Live free or die." That's the motto. It's on their tags. "Live free or die." I thought about that motto. And I thought, you know, there's plenty of men that are willing to help you die. But very few that are willing to help you live free. And when you think about freedom, you have to understand that freedom is only in the Lord Jesus Christ. The Bible teaches us in 2 Corinthians 3, verse 17, "Now the Lord is that Spirit: and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty." There's no liberty apart from God. There's no freedom apart from God. That's why in Galatians 5, in verse 1, our Lord said, "Stand fast therefore in the liberty wherewith Christ hath made us free, and be not entangled again with the yoke of bondage."

Freedom is only in the Lord Jesus Christ. Think about this. The more biblical, the more holy, and the more godly a nation is, the more freedom exists. The more unholy, the more ungodly, the more wicked, the more rebellious, the more tyranny exists. Look around at all the nations that do not serve God at all, or serve a false god, and look at the tyranny. And if we want to devolve into the third world nation status where we're headed, all we have to do is continue to deny the Word of God and the Lord Jesus Christ. Because the only freedom that exists is in Him. Where the Lord is, there is liberty.

Where He is not, there is slavery and bondage. God, give us men. Father, in the name of Jesus Christ, we do pray that you would raise up men to meet the need of the hour. Father, give us men that have understanding of the times. Men that know what we must do. Men that have the ability to do it. Men that have the ability not only to do it, but to do it with the right motive. And men that not only have the ability to do it with the right motive, but will do it under the auspices, command, and power of the sovereign God of heaven and earth. Give us, Lord, holy, godly men. Give us, Lord, Your liberty, Your freedom. In the name of Jesus Christ we ask and pray, Amen.

Study Guide

Major Themes

Understanding the Times

Summary: Believers must discern the spiritual and moral condition of their era to respond appropriately.

Evidence: Weaver states, 'The men of Issachar first of all, had understanding of the times in which they lived.'

Godly Leadership

Summary: Leaders must be chosen based on character, divine appointment, and the fear of God, not worldly criteria.

Evidence: Weaver cites 2 Samuel 23:3, 'He that ruleth over men must be just, ruling in the fear of God.'

Courage and Valor

Summary: Men of God must be strong, courageous, and willing to fight for righteousness.

Evidence: Weaver describes the Gadites as 'men of might, and men of war fit for the battle... whose faces were like the faces of lions.'

Purity of Motive

Summary: Actions must be done with a single heart for God, not for personal gain or revenge.

Evidence: Weaver says, 'You can do a right thing in a wrong way. You can do a right thing with a wrong motive and be judged by God.'

Dependence on God

Summary: True success comes from relying on God's Spirit and power, not human strength.

Evidence: Weaver quotes Zechariah, 'Not by might, nor by power, but by my spirit, saith the Lord.'

Freedom in Christ

Summary: Liberty is found only in the Lord Jesus Christ; rebellion against God leads to tyranny.

Evidence: Weaver states, 'The more biblical, the more holy, and the more godly a nation is, the more freedom exists.'

Key Arguments

America is under God's judgment due to corruption and idolatry.

Summary: Weaver argues that every branch of government is corrupt, media colludes with the state, and the nation has embraced Molech worship and Satanism.

Evidence: Weaver says, 'Every branch of government is corrupt... Molech worship, Satanism, and statism are now the norm in this country.'

The men of Issachar model the need for discernment and action.

Summary: They understood the times, knew to replace Saul with David, and led others to follow.

Evidence: Weaver explains, 'They knew exactly what Israel ought to do... disestablish the tyranny and the reign of Saul and his sons, and to establish the reign of David.'

Biblical leadership requires character, kinship, and divine calling.

Summary: David was chosen because he was a brother, had a testimony, and was appointed by God.

Evidence: Weaver cites 2 Samuel 5:1-3, noting the three qualifications.

God uses men, not committees or wimps.

Summary: The mighty men of 1 Chronicles 12 were warriors who could fight and lead.

Evidence: Weaver states, 'God uses men. He does not use committees. He does not use politicians. He does not use wimps.'

Right actions with wrong motives incur God's judgment.

Summary: Examples like Jehu and Assyria show that God may use someone but later judge them for impure motives.

Evidence: Weaver says, 'God may use you even if you have wicked and wrong motives. But God will then turn around and judge you.'

Trusting in the flesh brings a curse; trusting in God brings blessing.

Summary: Jeremiah 17 contrasts the cursed man who trusts in man with the blessed man who trusts in the Lord.

Evidence: Weaver reads Jeremiah 17:5-8, emphasizing the curse and blessing.

Scripture References

1 Chronicles 12:32

Context: The men of Issachar had understanding of the times to know what Israel ought to do.

Revelation 14:7

Context: The hour of God's judgment is come.

Revelation 18:10

Context: In one hour is thy judgment come.

Revelation 18:17

Context: In one hour so great riches is come to nought.

Revelation 18:19

Context: In one hour is she made desolate.

Amos 4

Context: God's judgment intensifies when unheeded.

2 Samuel 5:1-3

Context: All Israel came to make David king, citing kinship, testimony, and God's appointment.

Deuteronomy 17

Context: God forbade a foreigner to be king over Israel.

2 Samuel 23:1-3

Context: David's last words: he that ruleth over men must be just, ruling in the fear of God.

1 Chronicles 12:14-16

Context: The sons of Gad were mighty men who crossed Jordan in flood and put enemies to flight.

2 Samuel 23:8-12

Context: David's mighty men performed great feats of valor.

1 Chronicles 12:1-2

Context: Mighty men came to David, armed with bows, ambidextrous.

1 Chronicles 12:8

Context: Gadites were men of might, faces like lions, swift as roes.

1 Chronicles 12:17-18

Context: David questioned the men's motives; Amasai pledged loyalty, and David received them.

1 Chronicles 12:33

Context: Men of Zebulun were expert in war, not of double heart.

1 Chronicles 12:38

Context: All men of war came with a perfect heart to make David king.

James 1:8

Context: A double minded man is unstable in all his ways.

Hosea 1:4

Context: God will avenge the blood of Jezreel upon the house of Jehu.

Isaiah 10:5-15

Context: Assyria was the rod of God's anger, but acted with pride and would be judged.

2 Chronicles 16:7-9

Context: Hanani rebuked Asa for relying on Syria; God's eyes run to and fro to show Himself strong for those with a perfect heart.

Historical References

Klaus Schwab

Context: Head of the Economic Forum, quoted as saying 'You will own nothing and you will be happy.'

John Trapp

Context: Quoted regarding Jehu's mixed motives in Hosea 1:4.

Joshua Gilbert Holland

Context: Author of the poem 'God, give us men' quoted in application.

State of New Hampshire motto

Context: 'Live free or die' used to illustrate the cost of freedom.

Important Quotes

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.

Significance: This is the foundational verse for the entire message, defining the qualities of the needed men.

He that ruleth over men must be just, ruling in the fear of God.

Significance: David's inspired principle for godly leadership, emphasized by fourfold claim of inspiration.

God uses men. He does not use committees. He does not use politicians. He does not use wimps. He uses men.

Significance: Summarizes the call for strong, capable men rather than institutional or weak approaches.

You can do a right thing in a wrong way. You can do a right thing with a wrong motive and be judged by God.

Significance: Highlights the critical importance of pure motives in service to God.

For the eyes of the Lord run to and fro throughout the whole earth, to shew himself strong in the behalf of them whose heart is perfect toward him.

Significance: A key promise that God actively seeks and empowers those with a perfect heart.

Not by might, nor by power, but by my spirit, saith the Lord.

Significance: Emphasizes reliance on the Holy Spirit rather than human strength.

God, give us men. A time like this demands strong minds, great hearts, true faith, and ready hands.

Significance: The opening of Holland's poem, encapsulating the plea for godly men.

Live free or die.

Significance: New Hampshire's motto, used to illustrate the ultimate choice between liberty in Christ and bondage.

Discussion Questions

What does it mean to have 'understanding of the times' in our current cultural and political climate?

Context: Weaver emphasizes the men of Issachar's discernment of their era's wickedness and need for change.

How should the biblical qualifications for leadership (kinship, testimony, divine calling) influence our selection of leaders today?

Context: Weaver contrasts modern criteria like party or charm with the standards in 2 Samuel 5.

In what ways can we cultivate a willingness to follow godly leadership rather than seeking personal recognition?

Context: The men of Issachar's brethren submitted to their commandment, unlike modern self-promotion.

What does it look like to be a 'mighty man' of valor and courage in spiritual battles today?

Context: Weaver describes the physical prowess of David's mighty men and applies it to spiritual warfare.

How can we examine our motives to ensure we are serving God with a single heart and not for personal gain?

Context: Weaver warns that God judges right actions done with wrong motives, using Jehu and Assyria as examples.

What are practical ways to rely on God's Spirit rather than the arm of the flesh in our daily lives and ministries?

Context: Weaver contrasts the curse of trusting in man with the blessing of trusting in God from Jeremiah 17.

How does the concept 'where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty' challenge our understanding of freedom?

Context: Weaver ties true freedom to the presence of God, warning that rejecting God leads to tyranny.

Applications

Seek discernment of the times

Summary: Believers should study Scripture and current events to understand the spiritual state of the nation and respond biblically.

Evidence: Weaver says, 'We need men today that have understanding of the times as well.'

Choose leaders by biblical standards

Summary: Evaluate leaders based on character, integrity, and fear of God rather than worldly attributes.

Evidence: Weaver laments, 'We have chosen men to be our rulers... based upon party... charm, money, hairstyle... not... character, their integrity, the will of God.'

Submit to godly authority

Summary: Be willing to follow and support those who demonstrate biblical wisdom and leadership, setting aside personal ambition.

Evidence: Weaver notes, 'All their brethren were at their commandment... they were just simply willing to obey.'

Cultivate courage and strength

Summary: Develop spiritual and moral fortitude to stand for truth and fight against evil.

Evidence: Weaver describes the mighty men as 'men of valor... men of courage... men of strength' and not 'soy boys.'

Examine and purify motives

Summary: Regularly check that service to God is done out of love for Him and not for revenge, wealth, or power.

Evidence: Weaver warns, 'God may use you even if you have wicked and wrong motives. But God will then turn around and judge you.'

Depend on God's Spirit

Summary: In all endeavors, rely on prayer and the Holy Spirit's power rather than human strategies or strength.

Evidence: Weaver states, 'We need men who are going to do that which is right in the power and the Spirit of God.'

Pursue true freedom in Christ

Summary: Recognize that liberty is found only in submission to Christ and His Word, and advocate for a godly society.

Evidence: Weaver says, 'The more biblical, the more holy, and the more godly a nation is, the more freedom exists.'

deepseek | deepseek-v4-pro | clean_readable_transcript | 2026-06-06T01:03:53Z

deepseek | deepseek-v4-pro | weaver_study | 2026-06-06T15:15:23Z

Clean Transcript

The Need of the Hour

Clean readable transcript. This view follows the Commentary.net cleaned segment text while preserving timestamps for audio follow-along.

Let's open our Bibles to 1 Chronicles chapter 12, and we're going to be reading verse 32. 1 Chronicles chapter 12, verse 32. The title of the message is, "The Need of the Hour." The need of the hour. We will be looking at other verses in 1 Chronicles 12, but we're going to start with verse 32, and we'll come back to this verse several times. Notice, if you would, the Bible says, "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." Years ago, I preached a message similar to this. I even titled the message exactly the same. I think I even had the same exact points, but the contents of this message are entirely different from that first message. And the reason I'm re-preaching this is I was reading through 1 Chronicles recently, and I was struck again with the truths of this chapter.
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And I thought how applicable it is in our day and time. Many times we have heard the phrase and even used the phrase, "the need of the hour," or "the lateness of the hour," or "the present hour," or "this very hour." If you would take the time to read through the New Testament, you might be impressed with the use of the word "hour." For instance, in the book of Revelation alone, the word "hour" is used ten different times. If you read those passages, I think you can understand where we derive "the lateness of the hour," or "this very hour," or "the need of the hour" from.
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Let me give you some quotes. Revelation chapter 14, verse 7. The Scripture says, "...saying with a loud voice, Fear God, and give glory to him; for the hour of his judgment is come: and worship him that made heaven, and earth, and the sea, and the fountains of waters." So the Bible then talks about the hour of his judgment. And then in Revelation 18 and verse 10, "...standing afar off for the fear of her torment, saying, Alas, alas, that great city Babylon, that mighty city! for in one hour is thy judgment come." Then when you get to Revelation 18 and verse 17, "...for in one hour so great riches is come to nought." In one hour. And then finally in Revelation chapter 18 and verse 19, the Bible said, "And they cast dust on their heads, and cried, weeping and wailing, saying, Alas, alas, that great city, wherein were made rich all that had ships in the sea by reason of her costliness! for in one hour is she made desolate." So when we say the hour is late, we're not exaggerating.
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It is indeed late, and the judgment of God has already begun to fall on our country. The interesting thing about God's judgment is, if you would read Amos chapter 4, you'll find that when God sends judgment, initially it is a light judgment. But when that judgment is refused, when that judgment is unheeded, when that judgment is unanswered, God always intensifies and makes the next judgment even more severe. So judgment is indeed falling, I believe, on our country.
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In fact, if you look around, I think you understand that every branch of government is corrupt and basically only cares about one thing, and that's power and staying in power and exercising what you and I would call tyrannical control. The news media is in cahoots with the federal government. If you don't believe that, all you have to do is turn to all the news channels on the TV set, and you will hear them saying exactly the same thing. And there have been emails and there have been things on the internet where they've placed all of these news channels together, and everybody's saying the same thing instantaneously. And not only that, but Big Pharma is in bed not only with the government, but also with the news media. And if you believe anything that comes out of the mainstream media, you're probably wrong all the way around. In fact, the truth of the matter is, attacks are being made against truth, just about on every subject whatsoever.
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And those who are telling the truth now are labeled as insurrectionists, seditionists, traitors, and spreaders of false information, while the spreaders of false information is coming from the mainstream media and from the government as well. It's interesting that traitors are today calling patriots traitors. So to say that we have forsaken the Word of God, to say that we have forsaken biblical principles and the Law of God would be an understatement.
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We as a nation, through our leaders, have become rebellious idolaters. Molech worship, Satanism, and statism are now the norm in this country. I just recently read an article that was printed actually back in the 1980s, and that article was complaining of the fact of how Satanism is now spreading through our military, and Satanism and not just witchcraft, but pure satanic worship is now being recognized as a legitimate religion in the military.
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So interestingly, that has been going on for a long time. But there are no concerns today for truth or for character, for freedom. It's all about power and it's all about control. You remember the fellow by the name of Klaus Schwab, head of the Economic Forum, who said, "You will own nothing and you will be happy." So translated, that simply means that you will be the slaves for those that own everything. It's what it amounts to. And you will have to be satisfied with whatever they give you because that's all you're going to get.
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The interesting thing about 1 Chronicles chapter 12 is this. When you read this chapter, the theme of this chapter concerns the removal of the dynasty of King Saul, who was a rebellious, disobedient, murderous tyrant, and the installation of King David, a man after God's own heart. So to summarize 1 Chronicles chapter 12, it is the removing of King Saul and his wicked regime and installing David in a godly establishment. Now, it should be obvious that we are in need at this very same hour, just like those Israelites were in 1 Chronicles chapter 12.
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So clearly then, if there is no repentance in our country, there is no change. If there is no return to the Lord Jesus Christ and his truth, the hour of judgment is not only upon us, it's going to be even more fully upon us. So we are in a desperate time, much like those in 1 Chronicles 12. So let's ask the question, what is the need of the hour? We could ask it like this, what was the need of the hour in 1 Chronicles 12? Now, I think if we can see what was the need of the hour in 1 Chronicles chapter 12, we can also see what is the need of the hour today in our country and in our time as well. So, I want you to look then in 1 Chronicles chapter 12 and verse 32.
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And here then is the first thing. The need of the hour is for men that know what ought to be done. Look in verse 32. "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."
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Now, there are three very clear implications in this passage, and I might also add these are very important truths. First of all, I want you to note in verse 32 that the men of Issachar first of all, had understanding of the times in which they lived. They knew of the wickedness of Saul and his house. They knew of the power of Abner, his commander-in-chief. They knew that Ish-bosheth, Saul's son, was a weakling and he could not hold the throne. They also knew of the division and the danger that they were in, as well as their country was in at the same time. They knew that the politics that was prevalent at that particular time were wicked and evil. So we need men today that have understanding of the times as well. We need men today that understand that the same scenario that occurred in ancient Israel during 1 Chronicles 12 is now being played out in America. So where are our men that have understanding of the times? Where are our men that know what to do?
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If there are men that do really and truly do have understanding, then they need to reveal themselves. So here we had, in verse 32, the Bible says men of understanding. They had understanding of the times. They knew exactly what was going on. Here's a second truth in verse 32. They not only had understanding of the times, the Bible says that they knew what Israel ought to do. Have you ever noticed that if you know what you ought to do, you really don't have a problem? When I say that, a problem is not a problem if you know what to do. If you have the answer, then you do not have a problem. So here, they not only had understanding of the times, they knew exactly what Israel ought to do.
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And that is this, disestablish the tyranny and the reign of Saul and his sons, and to establish the reign of David who is a man after God's own heart. Now, if you will turn in your Bibles, holding 1 Chronicles chapter 12, I want you to look, if you would please, at 2 Samuel chapter 5. 2 Samuel chapter 5. And notice, if you would please, the first three verses.
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So we're talking about the men of Israel, the men of Issachar, who had understanding of the times, who knew what Israel ought to do. Note, if you would, verse 1, "Then came all the tribes of Israel to David unto Hebron." Now, you have to remember that David reigned for seven years in Judah. He reigned another 33 years over all of Israel. Judah had already made David king. Now all of Israel is coming to make David king. So watch it in verse 1, 2 Samuel 5. "Then came all the tribes of Israel to David unto Hebron, and spake, saying, Behold, we are thy bone and thy flesh. Also in time past, when Saul was king over us, thou wast he that leddest out and broughtest in Israel: and the Lord said to thee, Thou shalt feed my people Israel, and thou shalt be a captain over Israel. So all the elders of Israel came to the king to Hebron; and king David made a league with them in Hebron before the Lord: and they anointed David king over Israel."
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Now, notice if you would please, in this passage, there are three qualifications or three requirements that are listed for David to be king. The first one is this, they said in verse 1, "Behold, we are thy bone and thy flesh." In other words, we're brothers. We are related. We are the same kindred. We are the same people. If you read Deuteronomy 17, you will find that God forbade an alien or a foreigner to be king or to rule over his people. He said, if you're going to choose a king, you have to choose a brother. You have to choose someone from among yourselves. So, notice if you would, they said, "We are bone of thy bone and flesh of thy flesh." In other words, we are relatives.
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The second truth is here. They said in verse two, "And also in time past, when Saul was king over us, thou wast he that leddest out and broughtest in Israel." In other words, David had a testimony. They knew David to be a very courageous man, a man of valor, a man of honesty. And if you will remember, it was Saul who got upset when David would return. And the women would take their timbrels and sing, "Saul has slain his thousands and David his ten thousands." So it was David who actually led out and led back in the armies of Israel. So he had a testimony. They knew him to be a man of character and a man of valor. And here's the third truth. The Bible says, "And the Lord said to thee, Thou shalt feed my people Israel, and thou shalt be a captain over Israel." So the third thing was the Lord had designated, the Lord had ordained that David be the captain and the ruler over Israel. But note if you would, he was not only of their bone and their flesh, he not only had a testimony.
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It was the will of God that David become the king. Note if you would now in verse 3. "So all the elders of Israel came to the king to Hebron; and king David made a league with them in Hebron before the Lord: and they anointed David king over Israel." The interesting thing is this, even though God had appointed David to be king, He did so along with the will and the recognition of the people. In other words, the people chose David because they knew that God had chosen David, and David entered into covenant with them to be God's king, and they were going to be God's people as well.
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Now, the truth of the matter is this. We're in trouble in this country because we have ignored these biblical principles. We've ignored biblical law. We have chosen men to be our rulers in this country based upon party, either Democrat or Republican, charm, money, hairstyle, race, color, or the promises they make. We don't choose men anymore based upon their character, their integrity, the will of God, and the fact that they are our kin, our kith, and our kindred. No, no, no. So we're in deep trouble.
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Now let me show you something. Since you're in 2 Samuel, turn right over to 2 Samuel chapter 23, and I want you to look at the first three verses. Because here is a principle that is enunciated by David, and David claims direct inspiration from God for this statement. Look at it. 2 Samuel chapter 23, verse 1. "Now these be the last words of David. David the son of Jesse said, and the man who was raised up on high, the anointed of the God of Jacob, and the sweet psalmist of Israel, said, The Spirit of the Lord spake by me, and his word was in my tongue. The God of Israel said, the Rock of Israel spake to me."
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Watch this sentence, "'He that ruleth over men must be just, ruling in the fear of God.'" Isn't that a simple statement? "'He that ruleth over men must be just, ruling in the fear of God.'" You cannot be just unless you're ruling in the fear of God. The amazing thing to me is how many times David claims direct inspiration for this one simple statement. I want you to look in verse 2.
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"The Spirit of the Lord spake by me." That's one time. "His word was in my tongue," that's twice. "The God of Israel said," that's three times. "The rock of Israel spake to me," that's four times. So four times David claims direct inspiration for this one statement, "He that ruleth over men must be just, ruling in the fear of God." So clearly then, the men of Issachar not only had understanding of the times, they knew what Israel must do. That is why in 2 Samuel 5, they came to make David king over all Israel.
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Now, I want you to go back to 1 Chronicles chapter 12 and verse 32, because I told you there were three truths in this passage that we need to understand. The first one was indeed that there were men that had understanding. Number two, there were men that knew what to do. Notice the third thing in verse 32. The Bible says, "the heads of them were two hundred." That is, there were 200 men of Issachar. There were men of understanding that knew what Israel must do. And here's the one that's really mind-boggling.
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"And all their brethren were at their commandment." 200 men out of the tribe of Issachar knew what Israel must do. "And all their brethren were at their commandment." In other words, the rest of the people were just willing to submit, to obey and follow the truth. They were not arguing over who should lead. They were not arguing over who was going to have the last word. They were not arguing over who was going to receive the honor and the glory. No, no, no. They were just simply willing to obey. They understood here were these men that had understanding of the times. They knew what Israel must do. And now they're willing to just simply obey and follow these men.
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Now, the problem that we have today is this. It's not only true in our political arena, it's also true in the ecclesiastical arena as well. Everybody wants to be the head. Everybody wants to be the chief, but nobody wants to be the Indian. I have known pastors and still know pastors that if they cannot be the leader, if they cannot dictate, if they cannot order, if they cannot get glory and fame, if they cannot benefit, if their church cannot benefit, then they're going to just take their marbles and go home. It's just that simple. You know, here's a truth that we must learn, and I mean learn it very, very well, and that is this, that God is absolutely sovereign. And what I mean by that is this, God uses whom he wills, when he wills, where he wills, and how he wills.
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Now, let me ask you a question. Would you be pleased and delighted if God used you? And the answer should be yes. As a pastor, would I be pleased and delighted if God used me? And the answer would be yes. I want to be used by God. But the truth is this, whether God uses me or not is His business. He may use whomever He pleases. And if God is pleased not to use me, but if He's pleased to use a pastor down the street, I'm more than happy for Him to use that pastor down the street. I'm more than happy to pray with him and to help him and support him. The only thing I would be really concerned about is that the kingdom of God be advanced.
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And that was the attitude of these people. They could care less who got the honor and who got the glory. They could care less. All they wanted was what needed to be done, done, and done in a right manner. We have to learn that it doesn't matter who God uses. Whomever He uses, that's whom we must support and that's who we pray for and help. It's God's choice. It's God's will.
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So the very first thing that we can say the need of the hour is we need men that have understanding of the times, that know what we must do, and we must be willing to follow those who have that biblical insight. Here's the second thing. I want you to look at verses 14-16 in 1 Chronicles 12. Look in verse 14. The second truth is this. The need of the hour is for men who are able to do what needs to be done. Look in verse 14.
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"These were the sons of Gad, captains of the host: one of the least was over an hundred, and the greatest over a thousand. These are they that went over Jordan in the first month, when it had overflown all his banks; and they put to flight all them of the valleys, both toward the east, and toward the west."
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"And there came of the children of Benjamin and Judah to the hold unto David." Now, I want you to note, if you would please, these were men who had the ability to do what needed to be done. They were indeed men of valor. They were men of courage. They were men of strength. Note, if you would, the Bible says that these went over Jordan in the first month when it overflowed its banks. They put those people on the other side to flight, both toward the east and toward the west, which means they were real, genuine men.
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They were not soy boys. They were not flower children. They were not gender-fluid, sexually confused individuals. And I can assure you that none of these men wore dresses, prancing around with lipstick and earrings in their ears. No, no, no. These were men. They knew they were men, they acted like men, and they were not ashamed to be men.
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Now, let me show you something. If you look back at verse 14, some of you have marginal references in your Bibles, and here's a marginal reference to verse 14. When it says, "These were the sons of Gad, captains of the host," here's the marginal reference: "One of the least could resist an hundred, and the greatest a thousand." When you look at the context, that would probably be an accurate translation as well as interpretation, because they're the ones who went over Jordan when it overflowed its banks, which means it was an extremely dangerous time, and they still crossed over and put all of those people to flight, both in the east and in the west. The interesting thing is this, you say, what do you mean, the least could resist a hundred and the greatest could resist a thousand? Yes. Let me show you. Hold 1 Chronicles chapter 12, but look back in your Bibles to 2 Samuel chapter 23. You need to read 2 Samuel chapter 23 because this passage deals with David's mighty men.
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And let's begin reading there with verse 8. Watch carefully. "These be the names of the mighty men whom David had: The Tachmonite that sat in the seat, chief among the captains; the same was Adino the Eznite: he lift up his spear against eight hundred, whom he slew at one time." Now that doesn't mean that he threw his spear and it went through eight hundred at one time. Of course not. But what it means is he did take that spear and in one battle he killed eight hundred men.
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He's pretty close to resisting a thousand just by himself. Look at verse 9, "And after him was Eleazar the son of Dodo the Ahohite, one of the three mighty men with David, when they defied the Philistines that were there gathered together to battle, and the men of Israel were gone away:" that is, most of the soldiers were not there. "He arose, and smote the Philistines until his hand was weary, and his hand clave unto the sword."
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"And the Lord wrought a great victory that day; and the people returned after him only to spoil." So here's a man who fought and slew the enemy until his sword actually clave into his hand, that is, his hand tightened up around that sword, and they had to come and pry his hand loose to get the sword out of his hand. I mean, he killed, I have no earthly idea.
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The Bible does not say. But the Bible does say that he wrought a great victory that day, and the people returned after him only to spoil. And then if you'll look in verse 11, "And after him was Shammah the son of Agee the Hararite. And the Philistines were gathered together into a troop, where was a piece of ground full of lentiles: and the people fled from the Philistines. But he stood in the midst of the ground, and defended it, and slew the Philistines: and the Lord wrought a great victory." So here's a man, one man, defying a whole host, and the Lord used him for a great victory.
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So clearly then, these individuals were men of might. If you'll go back now to 1 Chronicles chapter 12 and look at verses 1 and 2. 1 Chronicles 12 verses 1 and 2.
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"Now these are they that came to David to Ziklag, while he yet kept himself close because of Saul the son of Kish: and they were among the mighty men, helpers of the war." Now watch. "They were armed with bows, and could use both the right hand and the left in hurling stones and shooting arrows out of a bow, even of Saul's brethren of Benjamin." Well, we remember that the men of Benjamin were left-handed, but they were also ambidextrous. They could use either hand in shooting a bow or hurling stones. In fact, the Bible said they could hurl a stone at an hair's breadth, and not miss.
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Every time I read that verse, I think of my father. My father and my mother were both left-handed. But when Dad started bow hunting, he shot his bow right-handed. Then he got to thinking later on that maybe he should shoot a left-handed bow, because he's left-handed. So he bought himself a left-handed bow, and he hunted with that for a while. And then he couldn't make up his mind whether it was better left-handed or right-handed. So he bought a third bow, and the third bow had the arrow rest in the center and could be shot either right-handed or left-handed. So he decided, you know, he could shoot either one like that. He could shoot either way. It didn't bother him.
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But these men were armed and could use both hands in firing bows and also in hurling stones. So they were indeed mighty men. Skip down to verse 8. Look at what the Bible says. We're talking about these men now. "And of the Gadites there separated themselves unto David into the hold to the wilderness men of might, and men of war fit for the battle, that could handle shield and buckler, whose faces were like the faces of lions, and were as swift as the roes upon the mountains." So they could handle a shield, that is, they could ward off swords, they could ward off all kind of blows with their shield. The buckler was something that they got under when all the arrows come flying over. But notice the Bible says their faces were like the faces of lions.
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Now, the interesting thing about a lion is they can be very deceitful. Years ago, I was preaching in Arizona and not far from where I was staying, there was a Vietnam veteran who had a private zoo. And so the pastor's son took me down to that zoo. And the owner of the zoo was showing me around. We were the only ones there. And it was really not open, but he was just showing me around. And we came to the lion cage. And here's this docile, beautiful, big male lion. And the owner reached in and petted him.
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And I looked at him. I said, "Could I pet him as well?" He said, "Sure." So I reached in and I petted that big lion. Looks just like a big kitten. No? I thought, well, that's nice. A little bit later on, we were there still and he was going around feeding. We came to that nice, pettable lion. And the owner said, "Stand back. Don't even get near the cage." I said, "Why?"
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He said, "I'll show you." And when he threw that big hunk of meat in that cage, that lion snarled and growled and jumped on that meat and went to tearing it to shreds. And when he snarled, you could see all those teeth. Absolutely, totally terrifying. And I think that's what this means when it says they had faces like a lion. They could terrify you. They were determined. They were ferocious.
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They were men who knew how to fight. Now, let me show you something. It's important that we grasp this. Notice in verse 8, we're talking about the Gadites. Notice in verses 1 and 2, here's just some men that came to David from Ziklag who were helpers in the war. Some of them even were of Saul's brethren of Benjamin. That is, they were from the southern kingdom. But the point I'm trying to make is this. The men who were able to do that which needed to be done were different from the men who had understanding of the times and knew what Israel must do.
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They were of the tribe of Issachar. So you have two different groups. And what you have then is these men are working together to accomplish what needed to be done. They were not working against each other. They were working together. And here's a simple truth. God uses men. He does not use committees. He does not use politicians. He does not use wimps. He uses men. So the very need of the hour was, number one, men that had understanding of the times, that knew what needed to be done. Number two, the need of the hour was for someone with the ability to actually do that which needed to be done. Here's the third thing. The need of the hour is for men that have the ability to do what needs to be done with the right motive.
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I want you to look at verses 17 and 18. "And David went out to meet them." So now we're talking about these men of Gad and also Benjamin and Judah.
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Now remember, Saul was a Benjamite. So David goes out to meet these men. Some are from the northern kingdom, some from the southern kingdom, some from the very tribe that Saul is from. "David went out to meet them, and answered and said unto them, If ye be come peaceably unto me to help me, mine heart shall be knit unto you: but if ye be come to betray me to mine enemies, seeing there is no wrong in mine hands, the God of our fathers look thereon, and rebuke it. Then the spirit came upon Amasai, who was chief of the captains, and he said, Thine are we, David, and on thy side, thou son of Jesse: peace, peace be unto thee, and peace be to thine helpers; for thy God helpeth thee. Then David received them, and made them captains of the band."
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Now, skip down to verse 33. Look what the Bible says here. Verse 33, "Of Zebulun, such as went forth to battle, expert in war, with all instruments of war, fifty thousand, which could keep rank: they were not of double heart." Then look in verse 38, "All these men of war, that could keep rank, came with a perfect heart to Hebron, to make David king over all Israel: and all the rest also of Israel were of one heart to make David king." So notice if you would, in verse 18, he says, "Thy God helpeth thee." And then these men, verse 33, were not of a double heart. That is, they had a single heart, they had a single function, they had a single mind, they had a single purpose. You know, the Bible says in James 1 and verse 8, "A double minded man is unstable in all his ways." A double-minded man really cannot function because he doesn't know what to do. He doesn't know how to act.
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He has a double mind. And these men had single minds and single hearts. So let me tell you something. You can do a right thing in a wrong way. You can do a right thing with a wrong motive and be judged by God. There are many times people do things with the wrong motives. Revenge, hatred, personal gain, whether it's wealth, honor, or power, all of these are wrong motives. I can take you through the Bible and show you so many men who did things that were right. But they did them with the wrong motive.
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Jehu happened to be one of them. Jehu was the king of Israel. God used Jehu to destroy the house of Ahab and Jezebel. God also used Jehu to exterminate Baal worship out of Israel. In fact, Jehu got all of the worshippers of Baal into the temple of Baal. And he said, "Search, and make sure that there are no servants of Yahweh or Jehovah in here." And then when they made sure, he went outside to the soldiers and said, "If any man gets out, your life for his, kill them all."
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And that's exactly what he did. Jehu reformed the state or the kingdom. But he did not reform the church. He did not reform the religion because he kept the idols that Jeroboam had made. Let me give you a quote. First of all, let me give you Hosea 1 and verse 4. I want you to listen carefully. God is talking to Hosea. And Hosea and his wife are about to have a child.
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"And the Lord said unto him, Call his name Jezreel; for yet a little while, and I will avenge the blood of Jezreel upon the house of Jehu, and will cause to cease the kingdom of the house of Israel." God promised Jehu four generations on the throne. Now God is saying, I'm going to vindicate my honor, and although Jehu did some right things, he did them with a wrong motive. Here's what John Trapp said about Hosea 1 and verse 4 and Jehu. He said, "Jehu's house is visited and his progeny extinguished in the fourth generation for Jehu's offenses.
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God's work must be done truly, that there be no halting, and totally, that there be no halving. But Jehu, as he had not that true heart spoken of by the apostle, but was of a double mind, like that mad Neapolitan that said he had two hearts, one for God, another for him that would, so he fulfilled not after God, or followed God not fully, as Caleb did; he did not allow or follow God's will as did David; he served him not with a perfect heart, as did Asa; he reformed the state, but not the church; or if he did something toward it, yet he was not thorough in it. He had a dispensatory conscience, for though he rooted out Baal's worship, yet the golden calves must continue. Listen to this, piety must give place to policy. Jehu seemed at first to be as zealous a reformer as Jehoshaphat, but though his fleece was fair, his liver was rotten.
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He was like the eagle which soareth aloft, not for any love of heaven, her eye is all the while upon the prey, which by this means she spies sooner and seizeth upon the better." So he was saying, Jehu did some right things, but with a wrong motive.
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Now, I want you to listen carefully to this. God may use you even if you have wicked and wrong motives. But God will then turn around and judge you for doing what you did, even though it was right, with a wrong and wicked motive. Let me show you. I want you to turn in your Bibles, if you would, to Isaiah chapter 10. Isaiah chapter 10. And let's begin reading there with verse 5. You know that God used Assyria to judge and chastise the northern kingdom, the ten northern tribes. God sent them.
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There is no doubt about that whatsoever. So in Isaiah chapter 10, look in verse 5 at how God identifies them. He says, "O Assyrian, the rod of mine anger, and the staff in their hand is mine indignation."
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Now let's stop right there just for a moment. He calls the Assyrian the rod of his anger. And he says, "the staff in their hand is mine indignation."
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Now look in verse 6. God says, "I will send him against an hypocritical nation, and against the people of my wrath will I give him a charge." Now, God says, I sent him and I'm giving him a charge. What's his charge? "To take the spoil, and to take the prey, and to tread them down like the mire of the streets." So, God is sending the Assyrians in to judge and to destroy Israel because of their sins and their idolatry.
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Now, let me ask you a question. Did the Assyrians come to Israel and say, "We're here because you've sinned against God, and we're here because we want to obey God, and we want to honor God, and we want to do that which is right"? No. No. Look at verse 7, "Howbeit he meaneth not so, neither doth his heart think so; but it is in his heart to destroy and cut off nations not a few." The only reason the Assyrians came against Israel was because they wanted to loot and plunder and rape and steal and kidnap and do whatever else they wanted to do. They did not come out of honor to God, or obedience to God. God used them even though their motives were wicked and wrong. Well, what happened? After God used them, He turned around and judged them because of their wicked motives. Look in verse 12.
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"Wherefore it shall come to pass, that when the Lord hath performed his whole work upon mount Zion and on Jerusalem, I will punish the fruit of the stout heart of the king of Assyria, and the glory of his high looks." Now watch the pride and the arrogance. "For he saith, By the strength of my hand I have done it, and by my wisdom; for I am prudent."
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"And I have removed the bounds of the people, and have robbed their treasures, and I have put down the inhabitants like a valiant man: and mine hand hath found as a nest the riches of the people: and as one gathereth eggs that are left, have I gathered all the earth; and there was none that moved the wing, or opened the mouth, or peeped." And here's what God asked, "Shall the axe boast itself against him that heweth therewith? or shall the saw magnify itself against him that shaketh it? as if the rod should shake itself against them that lift it up, or as if the staff should lift up itself, as if it were no wood?"
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"Therefore shall the Lord, the Lord of hosts, send among his fat ones leanness; and under his glory he shall kindle a burning like the burning of a fire." God said, I'm going to judge him. And the reason I'm going to judge him is because of his pride, arrogance, wickedness. He did it with the wrong motive. I sent him. He did what I wanted him to do, but not out of a right motive. Motives do count.
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May I remind you of Samson? It is obvious, it is clear that God used Samson in the book of Judges. But have you ever noticed, as you read through the book of Judges, how many times Samson violated his Nazarite vow. He did it over and over. He touched the dead body, which he was not to do. He visited the harlots. He intermingled with the Philistines. He did all kinds of things he should not have done. Did God use him?
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And the answer is yes. Did God judge him? And the answer is yes. He lost his power. He lost his eyes. And he lost his life. He did plenty of right things, but with a wrong motive. I want you to turn in your Bibles, if you would, to 2 Chronicles 16. Let me show you very quickly about King Asa. King Asa was one of these individuals who did some right things, that is for sure. King Asa faced the Ethiopians and the Lubim, and may I point out, that they had over a million soldiers. And of course, Asa, he only had four or five hundred thousand. So he was outnumbered two to one and maybe even more. And he prayed to God and trusted in God, and God gave him that victory. God gave all those Ethiopians into his hand. I want you to watch. When the king of Israel comes against him, he now sends to the king of Syria for help. And Israel is not anywhere near like the Ethiopians. So in 2 Chronicles, chapter 16, beginning at verse seven.
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"And at that time Hanani the seer came to Asa king of Judah, and said unto him, Because thou hast relied on the king of Syria, and not relied on the Lord thy God, therefore is the host of the king of Syria escaped out of thine hand. Were not the Ethiopians and the Lubim a huge host, with very many chariots and horsemen? yet, because thou didst rely on the Lord, he delivered them into thine hand."
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Now watch what he says next. "For the eyes of the Lord run to and fro throughout the whole earth, to shew himself strong in the behalf of them whose heart is perfect toward him. Herein thou hast done foolishly: therefore from henceforth thou shalt have wars." Notice, if you would, he is rebuked by Hanani for trusting in the king of Syria instead of God. And then he makes this marvelous statement and promise in verse 9. "For the eyes of the Lord run to and fro throughout the whole earth, to shew himself strong in the behalf of them whose heart is perfect toward him." In other words, this passage indicates that God is looking for men, men of ability, men with a right and pure motive to use them. And may I point out that this promise is also in a military context. So clearly, God is wanting to use men.
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The need of the hour is not only the need for men that have understanding of the times that know what we must do. It's not only the need of men of ability that can do what needs to be done. The need of the hour is also for men of ability that can do what needs to be done with the right motive. And here's the fourth one. The need of the hour is also for men who will do what needs to be done in the grace, mercy, and power of God. If you'll look in 1 Chronicles 12 at verse 18, here's what Amasai said to David. Notice, if you would, verse 18, he said, "Peace, peace be unto thee, and peace be to thine helpers; for thy God helpeth thee." Then skip down to verse 22. "For at that time day by day there came to David to help him, until it was a great host, like the host of God."
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Now, the interesting thing is this. One of the leading names of God in the Bible is the God of hosts or the Lord God of hosts. The word "host" refers to armies. So the Bible is teaching us that God is indeed the captain of the armies. In other words, if we're going to fight for God, we must fight under Him according to His law, according to His rule, because He is the true Captain.
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I want you to look in your Bibles to the book of Joshua, chapter 5. You remember God has ordained that Joshua lead the children of Israel into Canaan land. And of course, the first battle is the fall of Jericho. Interestingly, before that battle, Joshua is walking around, and he sees a man with a sword drawn. So look in Joshua 5, verse 13, "And it came to pass, when Joshua was by Jericho, that he lifted up his eyes and looked, and, behold, there stood a man over against him with his sword drawn in his hand: and Joshua went unto him, and said unto him, Art thou for us, or for our adversaries? And he said, Nay."
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"But as captain of the host of the Lord am I now come. And Joshua fell on his face to the earth, and did worship, and said unto him, What saith my lord unto his servant? And the captain of the Lord's host said unto Joshua, Loose thy shoe from off thy foot; for the place whereon thou standest is holy. And Joshua did so." I personally believe this is a Christophany, which is a pre-incarnate appearance of Christ in the Old Testament. Joshua asked, "Art thou for us, or for our adversaries?" He said, "Nay; but as captain of the host of the Lord am I now come." And Joshua immediately fell down and worshipped him.
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There is a need today, but the need is for a special kind of men, men of understanding, men of knowledge, yes, men of ability, men with right motives, but men who are willing to fight under the auspices and power of God. Now, I want you to turn in your Bibles to the book of Jeremiah, chapter 17. Now I want you to note something, and here is where we are today. The Word of God talks about those who want to trust in the arm of the flesh, as well as those who want to trust in the One True and the Living God. Note, if you would, in Jeremiah, chapter 17, you have a curse and a blessing.
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These are placed in opposition to each other. In Jeremiah chapter 17, let's begin reading there with verse 5, and look what the Scripture says. "Thus saith the Lord; Cursed be the man that trusteth in man, and maketh flesh his arm, and whose heart departeth from the Lord."
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Now, I think there's a very important truth here. Anytime you trust in your flesh, anytime you trust in man, your heart is departing from the Lord. Think back to Asa. That's why he was rebuked. So if you want to trust in the arm of the flesh, if you want to trust in man, here's the curse. Look in verse six. "For he shall be like the heath in the desert, and shall not see when good cometh; but shall inhabit the parched places in the wilderness, in a salt land and not inhabited." In other words, desolation. But watch verse seven and eight. "Blessed is the man that trusteth in the Lord, and whose hope the Lord is. For he shall be as a tree planted by the waters, and that spreadeth out her roots by the river, and shall not see when heat cometh."
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"But her leaf shall be green; and shall not be careful in the year of drought, neither shall cease from yielding fruit." So God says, here's the choice. You can either serve the flesh, or you can serve me in the Spirit, entrusting me. You can either serve the arm of the flesh, or you can serve the Lord in the Spirit. One of the biggest problems that we have today is that we try to do everything scripturally and spiritually in the arm of the flesh.
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We always fail when we do that, and we bring ourselves under a curse. So we need men who are going to fight. We need men who are going to stand. We need men who are going to do that which is right in the power and the Spirit of God. You remember what the Bible says in the book of Zechariah? "Not by might, nor by power, but by my spirit, saith the Lord." So it's the Holy Spirit of God. That is why in Colossians 3 and verse 17, the Scripture said, "And whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God and the Father by him." So the need of the hour is for men, men of understanding, men of knowledge that know what we really need to do, men of ability that can do what needs to be done, men of ability that can do it with the right motive, and men of ability with the right motive who will stand in the power and might of the Holy Spirit.
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Now, let me make just a couple of applications. A poem, if you would call it that. It was written by Joshua Gilbert Holland. I quoted this back during that series that I did on "Where Are the Real Men?" But in light of this message, I want you to listen to this again. It's very short. He wrote, "God, give us men. A time like this demands strong minds, great hearts, true faith, and ready hands."
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"Men whom the lust of office does not kill, men whom the spoils of office cannot buy, men who possess opinions and a will, men who have honor, men who will not lie, men who can stand before a demagogue and damn his treacherous flatteries without winking, tall men, sun-crowned, who live above the fog, in public duty and in private thinking, for while the rabble, with their thumb-worn creeds, their large professions and their little deeds, mingled in selfish strife, lo! freedom weeps, wrong rules the land, and waiting justice sleeps." And that is exactly where we are today. And that's why he began this, "God give us men." And we do need men of the caliber that is given to us in 1 Chronicles chapter 12.
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Here's the second application, and I want you to think about this. The motto of the state of New Hampshire is a very short one. Does anybody in here know what it is? "Live free or die." That's the motto. It's on their tags. "Live free or die." I thought about that motto. And I thought, you know, there's plenty of men that are willing to help you die. But very few that are willing to help you live free. And when you think about freedom, you have to understand that freedom is only in the Lord Jesus Christ. The Bible teaches us in 2 Corinthians 3, verse 17, "Now the Lord is that Spirit: and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty." There's no liberty apart from God. There's no freedom apart from God. That's why in Galatians 5, in verse 1, our Lord said, "Stand fast therefore in the liberty wherewith Christ hath made us free, and be not entangled again with the yoke of bondage."
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Freedom is only in the Lord Jesus Christ. Think about this. The more biblical, the more holy, and the more godly a nation is, the more freedom exists. The more unholy, the more ungodly, the more wicked, the more rebellious, the more tyranny exists. Look around at all the nations that do not serve God at all, or serve a false god, and look at the tyranny. And if we want to devolve into the third world nation status where we're headed, all we have to do is continue to deny the Word of God and the Lord Jesus Christ. Because the only freedom that exists is in Him. Where the Lord is, there is liberty.
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Where He is not, there is slavery and bondage. God, give us men. Father, in the name of Jesus Christ, we do pray that you would raise up men to meet the need of the hour. Father, give us men that have understanding of the times. Men that know what we must do. Men that have the ability to do it. Men that have the ability not only to do it, but to do it with the right motive. And men that not only have the ability to do it with the right motive, but will do it under the auspices, command, and power of the sovereign God of heaven and earth. Give us, Lord, holy, godly men. Give us, Lord, Your liberty, Your freedom. In the name of Jesus Christ we ask and pray, Amen.
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deepseek | deepseek-v4-pro | clean_readable_transcript | 2026-06-06T01:03:53Z

The Need of the Hour

John Weaver | Freedom Ministries

John Weaver examines 1 Chronicles 12:32 to identify the qualities of men needed in a time of national crisis, drawing parallels between ancient Israel's transition from Saul to David and contemporary America. He argues that the need of the hour is for men who understand the times, know what to do, have the ability to act, possess right motives, and rely on God's power.

Introduction: The Lateness of the Hour

Weaver introduces the theme of the lateness of the hour, citing Revelation passages about judgment, and asserts that God's judgment is already falling on America due to corruption and rebellion.

Scripture Reading — 1 Chronicles 12:32

"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."

Scripture Reading — Revelation 14:7

"...saying with a loud voice, Fear God, and give glory to him; for the hour of his judgment is come: and worship him that made heaven, and earth, and the sea, and the fountains of waters."

The Need for Men Who Know What Ought to Be Done

From 1 Chronicles 12:32, Weaver highlights the men of Issachar who had understanding of the times and knew Israel should disestablish Saul's tyranny and establish David's reign.

Biblical Qualifications for Leadership

Using 2 Samuel 5 and 2 Samuel 23, Weaver outlines that leaders must be kin, have a testimony of character, be appointed by God, and rule justly in the fear of God.

So we're talking about the men of Israel, the men of Issachar, who had understanding of the times, who knew what Israel ought to do. Note, if you would, verse 1,

Scripture Reading — 2 Samuel 5:1-3

"Then came all the tribes of Israel to David unto Hebron."

Scripture Reading — 2 Samuel 5:1-3

"Then came all the tribes of Israel to David unto Hebron, and spake, saying, Behold, we are thy bone and thy flesh. Also in time past, when Saul was king over us, thou wast he that leddest out and broughtest in Israel: and the Lord said to thee, Thou shalt feed my people Israel, and thou shalt be a captain over Israel. So all the elders of Israel came to the king to Hebron; and king David made a league with them in Hebron before the Lord: and they anointed David king over Israel."

Watch this sentence,

Scripture Reading — 2 Samuel 23:1-3

"'He that ruleth over men must be just, ruling in the fear of God.'"

Isn't that a simple statement?

Scripture Reading — 2 Samuel 23:1-3

"'He that ruleth over men must be just, ruling in the fear of God.'"

You cannot be just unless you're ruling in the fear of God. The amazing thing to me is how many times David claims direct inspiration for this one simple statement. I want you to look in verse 2.

Scripture Reading — 2 Samuel 23:1-3

"The Spirit of the Lord spake by me."

That's one time.

Scripture Reading — 2 Samuel 23:1-3

"His word was in my tongue,"

that's twice.

Scripture Reading — 2 Samuel 23:1-3

"The God of Israel said,"

that's three times.

Scripture Reading — 2 Samuel 23:1-3

"The rock of Israel spake to me,"

that's four times. So four times David claims direct inspiration for this one statement,

Scripture Reading — 2 Samuel 23:1-3

"He that ruleth over men must be just, ruling in the fear of God."

So clearly then, the men of Issachar not only had understanding of the times, they knew what Israel must do. That is why in 2 Samuel 5, they came to make David king over all Israel.

Willingness to Follow Godly Leadership

The men of Issachar's brethren were at their commandment, demonstrating submission to those with biblical insight, contrasting with modern self-seeking attitudes.

The Need for Men Who Are Able to Do What Needs to Be Done

From 1 Chronicles 12:14-16 and 2 Samuel 23, Weaver describes mighty men of valor, courage, and strength who could fight and achieve victory.

So clearly then, these individuals were men of might. If you'll go back now to 1 Chronicles chapter 12 and look at verses 1 and 2. 1 Chronicles 12 verses 1 and 2.

Scripture Reading — 1 Chronicles 12:1-2

"Now these are they that came to David to Ziklag, while he yet kept himself close because of Saul the son of Kish: and they were among the mighty men, helpers of the war."

Now watch.

Scripture Reading — 1 Chronicles 12:1-2

"They were armed with bows, and could use both the right hand and the left in hurling stones and shooting arrows out of a bow, even of Saul's brethren of Benjamin."

The Need for Men with Right Motives

Using 1 Chronicles 12:17-18, 33, 38, and examples like Jehu and Assyria, Weaver stresses that God judges those who do right things with wrong motives.

Scripture Reading — Hosea 1:4

"And the Lord said unto him, Call his name Jezreel; for yet a little while, and I will avenge the blood of Jezreel upon the house of Jehu, and will cause to cease the kingdom of the house of Israel."

There is no doubt about that whatsoever. So in Isaiah chapter 10, look in verse 5 at how God identifies them. He says,

Scripture Reading — Isaiah 10:5-15

"O Assyrian, the rod of mine anger, and the staff in their hand is mine indignation."

Now let's stop right there just for a moment. He calls the Assyrian the rod of his anger. And he says,

Scripture Reading — Isaiah 10:5-15

"the staff in their hand is mine indignation."

The Need for Men Who Rely on God's Power

From 1 Chronicles 12:18, 22, Joshua 5, and Jeremiah 17, Weaver emphasizes that men must fight under God's command and trust in His Spirit, not the arm of the flesh.

Applications and Conclusion

Weaver quotes a poem by Holland and reflects on the motto 'Live Free or Die,' concluding that true freedom is only in Christ and praying for God to raise up such men.

The Need of the Hour

John Weaver | SermonAudio

Lecture Metadata	Details
Speaker	John Weaver
Source	SermonAudio
Media ID	1129211922281393
Subject	New Testament Studies
Course	Revelation Themes and Eschatological Applications
Genre	Sermon
Date	2021-11-28
Dictation Name
Book	Book 141: Revelation Themes and Eschatological Applications — Chapter 17
Source Timed Segments	80

Lecture Guide

Outline

Introduction: The Lateness of the Hour: Weaver introduces the theme of the lateness of the hour, citing Revelation passages about judgment, and asserts that God's judgment is already falling on America due to corruption and rebellion.
The Need for Men Who Know What Ought to Be Done: From 1 Chronicles 12:32, Weaver highlights the men of Issachar who had understanding of the times and knew Israel should disestablish Saul's tyranny and establish David's reign.
Biblical Qualifications for Leadership: Using 2 Samuel 5 and 2 Samuel 23, Weaver outlines that leaders must be kin, have a testimony of character, be appointed by God, and rule justly in the fear of God.
Willingness to Follow Godly Leadership: The men of Issachar's brethren were at their commandment, demonstrating submission to those with biblical insight, contrasting with modern self-seeking attitudes.
The Need for Men Who Are Able to Do What Needs to Be Done: From 1 Chronicles 12:14-16 and 2 Samuel 23, Weaver describes mighty men of valor, courage, and strength who could fight and achieve victory.
The Need for Men with Right Motives: Using 1 Chronicles 12:17-18, 33, 38, and examples like Jehu and Assyria, Weaver stresses that God judges those who do right things with wrong motives.
The Need for Men Who Rely on God's Power: From 1 Chronicles 12:18, 22, Joshua 5, and Jeremiah 17, Weaver emphasizes that men must fight under God's command and trust in His Spirit, not the arm of the flesh.
Applications and Conclusion: Weaver quotes a poem by Holland and reflects on the motto 'Live Free or Die,' concluding that true freedom is only in Christ and praying for God to raise up such men.

Major Themes

Key Arguments

America is under God's judgment due to corruption and idolatry.

Weaver argues that every branch of government is corrupt, media colludes with the state, and the nation has embraced Molech worship and Satanism.

Weaver says, 'Every branch of government is corrupt... Molech worship, Satanism, and statism are now the norm in this country.'

The men of Issachar model the need for discernment and action.

They understood the times, knew to replace Saul with David, and led others to follow.

Weaver explains, 'They knew exactly what Israel ought to do... disestablish the tyranny and the reign of Saul and his sons, and to establish the reign of David.'

Biblical leadership requires character, kinship, and divine calling.

David was chosen because he was a brother, had a testimony, and was appointed by God.

Weaver cites 2 Samuel 5:1-3, noting the three qualifications.

God uses men, not committees or wimps.

The mighty men of 1 Chronicles 12 were warriors who could fight and lead.

Weaver states, 'God uses men. He does not use committees. He does not use politicians. He does not use wimps.'

Right actions with wrong motives incur God's judgment.

Examples like Jehu and Assyria show that God may use someone but later judge them for impure motives.

Weaver says, 'God may use you even if you have wicked and wrong motives. But God will then turn around and judge you.'

Trusting in the flesh brings a curse; trusting in God brings blessing.

Jeremiah 17 contrasts the cursed man who trusts in man with the blessed man who trusts in the Lord.

Weaver reads Jeremiah 17:5-8, emphasizing the curse and blessing.

Scripture References

1 Chronicles 12:32: The men of Issachar had understanding of the times to know what Israel ought to do.
Revelation 14:7: The hour of God's judgment is come.
Revelation 18:10: In one hour is thy judgment come.
Revelation 18:17: In one hour so great riches is come to nought.
Revelation 18:19: In one hour is she made desolate.
Amos 4: God's judgment intensifies when unheeded.
2 Samuel 5:1-3: All Israel came to make David king, citing kinship, testimony, and God's appointment.
Deuteronomy 17: God forbade a foreigner to be king over Israel.
2 Samuel 23:1-3: David's last words: he that ruleth over men must be just, ruling in the fear of God.
1 Chronicles 12:14-16: The sons of Gad were mighty men who crossed Jordan in flood and put enemies to flight.
2 Samuel 23:8-12: David's mighty men performed great feats of valor.
1 Chronicles 12:1-2: Mighty men came to David, armed with bows, ambidextrous.
1 Chronicles 12:8: Gadites were men of might, faces like lions, swift as roes.
1 Chronicles 12:17-18: David questioned the men's motives; Amasai pledged loyalty, and David received them.
1 Chronicles 12:33: Men of Zebulun were expert in war, not of double heart.
1 Chronicles 12:38: All men of war came with a perfect heart to make David king.
James 1:8: A double minded man is unstable in all his ways.
Hosea 1:4: God will avenge the blood of Jezreel upon the house of Jehu.
Isaiah 10:5-15: Assyria was the rod of God's anger, but acted with pride and would be judged.
2 Chronicles 16:7-9: Hanani rebuked Asa for relying on Syria; God's eyes run to and fro to show Himself strong for those with a perfect heart.

Historical References

Klaus Schwab: Head of the Economic Forum, quoted as saying 'You will own nothing and you will be happy.'
John Trapp: Quoted regarding Jehu's mixed motives in Hosea 1:4.
Joshua Gilbert Holland: Author of the poem 'God, give us men' quoted in application.
State of New Hampshire motto: 'Live free or die' used to illustrate the cost of freedom.

Important Quotes

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.

This is the foundational verse for the entire message, defining the qualities of the needed men.

He that ruleth over men must be just, ruling in the fear of God.

David's inspired principle for godly leadership, emphasized by fourfold claim of inspiration.

God uses men. He does not use committees. He does not use politicians. He does not use wimps. He uses men.

Summarizes the call for strong, capable men rather than institutional or weak approaches.

You can do a right thing in a wrong way. You can do a right thing with a wrong motive and be judged by God.

Highlights the critical importance of pure motives in service to God.

For the eyes of the Lord run to and fro throughout the whole earth, to shew himself strong in the behalf of them whose heart is perfect toward him.

A key promise that God actively seeks and empowers those with a perfect heart.

Not by might, nor by power, but by my spirit, saith the Lord.

Emphasizes reliance on the Holy Spirit rather than human strength.

God, give us men. A time like this demands strong minds, great hearts, true faith, and ready hands.

The opening of Holland's poem, encapsulating the plea for godly men.

Live free or die.

New Hampshire's motto, used to illustrate the ultimate choice between liberty in Christ and bondage.

Discussion Questions

[Question]

What does it mean to have 'understanding of the times' in our current cultural and political climate?

[Context]

Weaver emphasizes the men of Issachar's discernment of their era's wickedness and need for change.

[Question]

How should the biblical qualifications for leadership (kinship, testimony, divine calling) influence our selection of leaders today?

[Context]

Weaver contrasts modern criteria like party or charm with the standards in 2 Samuel 5.

[Question]

In what ways can we cultivate a willingness to follow godly leadership rather than seeking personal recognition?

[Context]

The men of Issachar's brethren submitted to their commandment, unlike modern self-promotion.

[Question]

What does it look like to be a 'mighty man' of valor and courage in spiritual battles today?

[Context]

Weaver describes the physical prowess of David's mighty men and applies it to spiritual warfare.

[Question]

How can we examine our motives to ensure we are serving God with a single heart and not for personal gain?

[Context]

Weaver warns that God judges right actions done with wrong motives, using Jehu and Assyria as examples.

[Question]

What are practical ways to rely on God's Spirit rather than the arm of the flesh in our daily lives and ministries?

[Context]

Weaver contrasts the curse of trusting in man with the blessing of trusting in God from Jeremiah 17.

[Question]

How does the concept 'where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty' challenge our understanding of freedom?

[Context]

Weaver ties true freedom to the presence of God, warning that rejecting God leads to tyranny.

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deepseek | deepseek-v4-pro | weaver_study | 2026-06-06T15:15:23Z