Reuben was destined to a life of regret, for stupidly blowing his birthright. His descendants inherited his regret too – as seen in Judges 5:15-16 where twice it’s mentioned that “In the districts of Reuben there was much searching of heart.” Some real soul searching was still going on among his descendants as to what could have been, because instead of them being the honoured chieftains of the Israel clan, they’d been relegated to ordinary status among the tribes, with no special privileges.
Which was a great tragedy, because Reuben had shown considerable promise as the natural leader among his brothers. It was Reuben who’d stood up to his brothers when they wanted to kill Joseph in Genesis 37:20-21. He’d also wanted “to rescue Joseph from his brothers and take him back to his father” (22), and he was devastated when he found out his brothers had sold Joseph to some passing merchants (29-30).
So in natural leadership ability, as well as being the firstborn, Reuben might well have played a prominent and memorable role in the history of Israel. But in a fit of absolute lunacy he charmed the mother of two of his brothers into sleeping with him in his father’s bed.
And Bilhah didn’t refuse him either, so Reuben must’ve been a striking and charming man. But an impetuous man too. In his Dad’s words he was “turbulent as the waters” (49:4). He was like a roaring river oblivious to the damage its power can do. And Reuben did great damage by his arrogant insolence and uncontrolled lust. He humiliated his father, probably wrecked Bilhah’s relationship with Jacob, brought public disgrace to the family name, and put his Dad in a very difficult position as to what to do with him.
His Dad did not throw him out of the family, but in his final blessing on his sons many years later he told Reuben “you will no longer excel” (4). He transferred Reuben’s firstborn rights to Joseph’s sons Ephraim and Manasseh (48:5). Not only did Reuben’s reckless act reduce his own potential to serve his people as their leader, he also reduced the lives of his children as well, since they would not inherit or excel in honour and power in service to Israel either.
So Jacob was merciful to his impetuous son, but he also made sure there were consequences to his actions – updated for us by Paul in Galatians 6:7-8. To “Simeon and Levi: justified violence?”….(next blog)
