Can I pray for you in any way? Send any prayer requests to faithhopegodlove@aol.com In Christ, Mark
"When the LORD saw that Leah was not loved, he opened her womb, but Rachel was barren. Leah became pregnant and gave birth to a son. She named him Reuben, for she said, "It is because the Lord has seen my misery. Surely my husband will love me now." Genesis 29:31-32
"During wheat harvest, Reuben went out into the fields and found some mandrake plants, which he brought to his mother Leah. Rachel said to Leah, "Please give me some of your son's mandrakes." But she said to her, "Wasn't it enough that you took away my husband? Will you take my son's mandrakes too?" "Very well," Rachel said, "he can sleep with you tonight in return for your son's mandrakes." So when Jacob came in from the fields that evening, Leah went out to meet him. "You must sleep with me," she said. "I have hired you with my son's mandrakes." So he slept with her that night." Genesis 30:14-16
"Israel moved on again and pitched his tent beyond Migdal Eder. While Israel was living in that region, Reuben went in and slept with his father's concubine Bilhah, and Israel heard of it." Genesis 35:21-22
"Here comes that dreamer!" they said to each other. "Come now, let's kill him and throw him into one of these cisterns and say that a ferocious animal devoured him. Then we'll see what comes of his dreams." When Reuben heard this, he tried to rescue him from their hands. "Let's not take his life," he said. "Don't shed any blood. Throw him into this cistern here in the desert, but don't lay a hand on him." Reuben said this to rescue him from them and take him back to his father…When Reuben returned to the cistern and saw that Joseph was not there, he tore his clothes. He went back to his brothers and said, "The boy isn't there! Where can I turn now?" Genesis 37:19-22, 29-30
"They said to one another, "Surely we are being punished because of our brother. We saw how distressed he was when he pleaded with us for his life, but we would not listen; that's why this distress has come upon us." Reuben replied, "Didn't I tell you not to sin against the boy? But you wouldn't listen! Now we must give an accounting for his blood." They did not realize that Joseph could understand them, since he was using an interpreter." Genesis 42:21-23
"Then Jacob called for his sons and said: "Gather around so I can tell you what will happen to you in days to come. "Assemble and listen, sons of Jacob; listen to your father Israel. "Reuben, you are my firstborn, my might, the first sign of my strength, excelling in honor, excelling in power. Turbulent as the waters, you will no longer excel, for you went up onto your father's bed, onto my couch and defiled it…"Joseph is a fruitful vine, a fruitful vine near a spring, whose branches climb over a wall. With bitterness archers attacked him; they shot at him with hostility. But his bow remained steady, his strong arms stayed limber, because of the hand of the Mighty One of Jacob, because of the Shepherd, the Rock of Israel, because of your father's God, who helps you, because of the Almighty, who blesses you with blessings of the heavens above, blessings of the deep that lies below, blessings of the breast and womb. Your father's blessings are greater than the blessings of the ancient mountains, than the bounty of the age-old hills. Let all these rest on the head of Joseph, on the brow of the prince among his brothers." Genesis 49:1-4, 22-26
"The sons of Reuben the firstborn of Israel (he was the firstborn, but when he defiled his father's marriage bed, his rights as firstborn were given to the sons of Joseph son of Israel; so he could not be listed in the genealogical record in accordance with his birthright, and though Judah was the strongest of his brothers and a ruler came from him, the rights of the firstborn belonged to Joseph)" 1 Chronicles 5:1-2
Reuben is an interesting character study and I wanted to make sure I took a moment to highlight him because we all can learn something through examining his life…both in the way we should live and the way we shouldn’t.
Reuben’s life starts out pretty well and he doesn’t even realize at first how good he has it. He doesn’t because he was just a baby, the firstborn son of Jacob and his wife Leah. Being the firstborn carried with it great benefits, such as:
1. He became the priest of the family. Reuben was the first-born of the patriarchs, and so the priesthood of the tribes belonged to him.
2. Received a double portion of the paternal inheritance (Deuteronomy 21:15-17).
3. Inherited the judicial authority of his father, whatever it might be
As Reuben grew up among his 11 brothers and 1 sister, there’s no doubt he understood the special blessing of being the firstborn. Yet, there’s one thing he apparently didn’t understand. He didn’t understand that he could also lose it.
Now it wasn’t as if Reuben hadn’t been involved in positive things. He was involved in the beginning of cooperation between Rachel and Leah as he brought home some mandrakes that he had harvested for his mother. You’ll remember that Rachel, so obsessed with having a child of her own, wanted some of the mandrakes from Reuben. You’ll also recall that Leah gave Rachel what she asked for but only in return for her getting to lay down again with Jacob. And Rachel agreed.
So even up to this point, Reuben was walking the right way and secure in the birthright he gained by being firstborn. One wonders whether he felt a bit overconfident and arrogant as he grew older…so much so that he allowed his lust to get the best of him. And not only was it bad enough that he was lustful but he also committed adultery against his own father, sleeping with Bilhah. It was this act that was the downfall of Reuben.
We see later where he seeks redemption by convincing his brothers not to kill Joseph so he might be able to save him but God had a different plan and outcome that didn’t include Reuben. So Reuben, returning for the rescue, instead found an empty cistern and his youngest brother taken away to slavery. Distraught over failing in his desire to save Joseph, he tears his clothes in remorse. Later, he would remind his brothers about their sins against Joseph as they faced punishment in Egypt…sins he was just as much a part of.
Well, the consequences of Reuben’s adultery came in his father, Jacob, taking away his birthright and giving it to Joseph just before he died. The oldest son had everything going for him and yet threw it all away on a one night stand. Further, Reuben lost his priesthood over the twelve tribes of Israel…an honor that God would transfer to Levi. (Numbers 3:12,13; 8:18).
As we look at this story, we should heed the stern message it sends. Do not get so comfortable while in God’s favor to think it needs to last forever. The Lord expects our obedient service to Him 24 hours a day…7 days a week. There is no room for a break in our faithfulness to Him…no excuse for our decision to disregard His will and way. We see in Reuben that God will bring consequence to the one who willingly sins against Him. We should also see that we can give up everything we have going for us with just one sinful action. God doesn’t have to bless us lest we think we deserve it. Don’t kid yourself into being so spiritually naïve and arrogant. Instead, develop a healthy respect and fear of the Lord and His almighty power and majesty. Honor Him with everything you do and say and think. Or else He may just remove everything you have going for you. If you don’t believe that, just ask Reuben.
In Christ,
Mark
PS: Please share this with anyone you feel might be blessed by it.
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