In The Last Days

He saw that rest was good,
And that the land was pleasant;
He bowed his shoulder to bear a burden,
And became a band of slaves.  Genesis 49:15

Jacob gathered his sons together and told them what would befall them in the last days. I didn't make that up, it says so in verse 1 of the chapter in which our verse for today resides. Issachar likely did not get a thrill over the prophecy laid upon him by dear old Dad. Living in the last days in a pleasant land sounds just fine, but that band of slaves bit is not so pleasant to anyone's hearing. Of course the verse preceding talks about the strong donkey lying down between two burdens. Could it be a warning to keep on with our work until the end lest we become enslaved to rest in a pleasant place? Resting from work is necessary; resting all the time when work is on both sides, not so good. 

Rejoice in the Lord's work!

Bucky