Genesis 49:14

He was a donkey lying down lazily between two burdens. (The word translated "strong" seems mocking — literally "bony." This is certainly not praise of Issachar.) He saw that rest was good and bowed down between two burdens. He is like people who live by sight and try to make this world their resting place. But they find themselves burdened twice over — with spiritual and everyday responsibilities. The world takes it out of him too; he becomes "a servant unto tribute." He crouched down in a humiliation he chose himself.

Trade marks the nation, since his side touches Sidon; but if this brings personal prosperity to some, it does not make the nation fat, for Issachar is a bony donkey. Crouching between two burdens, he has come under the servitude of the Gentiles; and here he is content to rest.

Issachar is a bony (or strong) donkey, lying down between two hurdles. He saw that rest was good, and the land that it was pleasant. He bowed his shoulder to bear, and became a servant paying tribute.

The Jew has indeed shown remarkable strength. But his two burdens have pressed him down without a break. He has carried them for the sake of rest for his wandering feet and a pleasant life. Two things have weighed him down: the labour of gaining wealth on one hand, and being "a servant to tribute" on the other.

Reuben, Simeon, and Levi are corrupt and violent. Judah is connected with God's purposes about the royal line. Zebulun a haven for ships, and Issachar a strong donkey under a load, go with prosperity in trade with the nations, or Gentiles. Then Dan is to judge his people. So when Israel joins with the Gentiles in that way (Zebulun and Issachar), you get the serpent brought in.

Zebulun and Issachar stand for the long period of Israel patiently bearing the Gentile yoke, during which the riches of the earth come into their hands; they are weighed down with wealth. But this leads us on to Dan, the tribe that turns away.

In Issachar we find Israel content to be the drudge of the Gentiles. The one who would not bear God's yoke quietly accepts the yoke of men. Here too the name is dwelt on: "there is reward"; ease and gain are all that is sought. How true to the character of unbelieving Israel! And these are the ways God governs. They do not know Him, yet He still arranges their circumstances.

From Jacob's prophecy we see that Issachar stands for yoke-bearing. But it is clearly a slavery that speaks of self-indulgence and the empty reward of sin's pleasure for a season. Here, though, we are to think of deliverance by grace from that servitude. We come to the One whose loving voice calls us to hear and find true rest. So we come under His yoke and learn from Him. He is the meek and lowly One who stooped to bear our burden and carry our sorrows, even to death, the death of the cross. In this way we enter a new service.

In Jacob's prophecy we see the one reaching out toward the surrounding nations, and the other crouching under their yoke. We are reminded of this here, though how different everything is now. Zebulun may now rejoice in going out, and Issachar in the tents of her pilgrimage. They still reach out toward the nations. But now they go as ambassadors of a present King, with a joyful invitation to come up and pay Him homage.