Understanding the Times

Here are two Biblical examples of Contextual Intelligence

The first example is of leaders who did demonstrate that they understood the context they were living in and took action. I Chronicles chapter 12 is the account of the warriors of Israel gathering together to support David as the new king over Saul. In verse 12 the warriors from the tribe of Issachar are described as those "who understood the times and knew what Israel should do."

The second example is of those who did not have contextual intelligence. In Luke 12:54 Jesus said: "When you see a cloud rising in the west, immediately you say, 'It's going to rain,' and it does. And when the south wind blows, you say, 'It's going to be hot,' and it is. Hypocrites! You know how to interpret the appearance of the earth and the sky. How is it that you don't know how to interpret this present time?" Unfortunately John describes what happens in his gospel to this generation, chapter 1 verses 10 and 11, "He was in the world, and though the world was made through him, the world did not recognize him. He came to those who were his own, but his own did not receive him."

We are living in a time that requires leaders who will seek together to understand the times, to recognize the presence of Jesus in the world today (perhaps in places and ways that we did not expect), and to take collaborative action. Will we show up at "Hebron to support the king as the warriors of Issachar did in their day?