Issachar

As Jacob neared the end of his life, he called his boys together in order to give them a “blessing.” In some cases, these blessings are prophetic. In many ways the blessings are rooted in something in their past - their character, actions, etc.

Today, as we come to Issachar, we come to a person/tribe that is little known among the brothers/tribes. Issachar was the second to last son of Leah (followed by Zebulun and Dinah). Let’s begin by reading a bit about his origin.

Genesis 30:14–18 ESV

In the days of wheat harvest Reuben went and found mandrakes in the field and brought them to his mother Leah. Then Rachel said to Leah, “Please give me some of your son’s mandrakes.” But she said to her, “Is it a small matter that you have taken away my husband? Would you take away my son’s mandrakes also?” Rachel said, “Then he may lie with you tonight in exchange for your son’s mandrakes.” When Jacob came from the field in the evening, Leah went out to meet him and said, “You must come in to me, for I have hired you with my son’s mandrakes.” So he lay with her that night. And God listened to Leah, and she conceived and bore Jacob a fifth son. Leah said, “God has given me my wages because I gave my servant to my husband.” So she called his name Issachar.

What, if anything, do you know about mandrakes?

Mandrakes were believed to support fertility. which is why Rachel wanted this. Up to this point, the only children she could have were through her maidservant Bilhah. In a desperate attempt to open her womb, Rachel exchanged a night with Jacob for this fertility flower.

As a result of this exchange, Leah became pregnant with Issachar and gave him that name because of the circumstances surrounding his conception. “Issachar” is a blending of several words: - it sounds like the Hebrew word for “wages or hire”

skr - hire or take into paid service

is or ish - man

yes - it exists

sort of - there exists a man for hire

Other than the information around his birth, we know very little about him up to this point. So Jacob comes to him and says:

Genesis 49:14–15 NET

Issachar is a strong-boned donkey lying down between two saddlebags. When he sees a good resting place, and the pleasant land, he will bend his shoulder to the burden and become a slave laborer.

what do you notice I these verse?

What jumps out at you?

The tribe of Issachar ended up being a part of the Northern Kingdom and received land near Zebulun (Num. 2:3-6). They participated with Debora and Barak in their victory over Sisera (Judges 5:15). The judge Tola was of the tribe (Judges 10:1-2). Eventually two kings (Baasha and Elah) came from the tribe (1 Kings 15:27-16:14). (LBD)

Several commentators suggest that part of this prophetic blessing results in the tribe being an agrarian - due to the fact that the allotment of land seems to be in the Jezreel Valley - which was apparently fertile. (LBD)

But there is another element that seems to be prevalent in this blessing - and that is in regard to his origin story and position in the family.

The Hebrew word translated “sheepfolds” can also be seen as “saddlebags” - which is now the NET translates it. Issachar is the result of a selfish struggle between Rachel and Leah. Leah is of course the despised, but fruitful wife. Rachel is the loved but barren wife who is desperate to do anything to have a son. Issachar came into the world in the midst of this tension. I suspect that he demonstrated some sense of strength in spite of likely ongoing conflict between Rachel and Leah (maybe even Jacob). I wonder if Jacob had a bit of sympathy for him.

He seemed to be willing to bear the burden of his position and work - even though it was something that he was forced into.

In light of this, how should we pray?

May we shield our children from our own petty struggles

May we work to rear them in the ways of the Lord

May God continue to enable them to grow and flourish - in spite of our own shortcomings.