Reuben

Genesis 49:1–2 ESV

Then Jacob called his sons and said, “Gather yourselves together, that I may tell you what shall happen to you in days to come. “Assemble and listen, O sons of Jacob, listen to Israel your father.

As he calls his sons to his bedside he is giving them a “prophetic oracle” (BKC)

The First Shall Be Last

As firstborn, Reuben was the intended/expected leader of the family. He should have received the birthright - a double portion of the inheritance.

His Mother: Leah

Significant events in Reuben’s life up to this point:

the deceitfully received wife of Jacob (Gen. 29:23)

she provided Jacob the most children (6 in all)

name means “see a son”

first born (Gen. 29:31)

slept with Bilhah - Jacob’s concubine - (Rachel’s servant) - Gen. 35:22 -

prevented Joseph’s death - suggested that they simply throw him in a pit (Gen. 37:22) and then was grieved to hear that Joseph had been sold (Gen. 37:29-30)

argued his case to his brothers when Joseph held Simeon prisoner following their first visit to Egypt (Gen. 42:22)

When called upon to bring Benjamin back to Egypt, Reuben offered his two sons and surety in exchange for Benjamin’s safety (Gen. 42:37) - but his offer was rejected by Jacob/Israel. Later it was Judah who provided the assurance for Benjamin’s safe return.

Genesis 49:3–4 ESV

“Reuben, you are my firstborn, my might, and the firstfruits of my strength, preeminent in dignity and preeminent in power. Unstable as water, you shall not have preeminence, because you went up to your father’s bed; then you defiled it—he went up to my couch!

His oracle is divided in to two sections of three lines - or a “tricola”

the first three lines talk about some truths, what should have been

firstborn

firstfruits of strength

first in dignity

first in power

The second three lines undermine all of the firsts/preeminences

unstable as water - turbulent

rather than defending his father’s honor - he defiled it.

After Jacob’s death - Reuben certainly takes a back seat to some of the other brothers. His tribe is mentioned but often disregarded.

Here are some comments about the Tribe of Reuben:

The Lexham Bible Dictionary Tribe of Reuben

According to the genealogy of Numbers 1:20–21, the tribe of Reuben included 46,500 males aged 20 years and older by the time of the exodus. The tribe held a prominent position in relation to the camp around the tabernacle (Num 2:16) and in the order of the march (Num 10:18). However, Judah and Levi hold a more prominent position than Reuben in the major genealogies of the Pentateuch, Joshua, and 1 Chronicles. Deuteronomy reinforces this by placing Reuben on Mount Ebal for the curse rather than Mount Gerizim for the blessings. Moses’ blessing that Reuben does not die out (Deut 33:6) has been seen as an “after the event” prophecy.

When Moses allotted inheritances in the promised land, the tribe of Reuben was associated with the land to the east of the Jordan (Deut 3:12–20; Num 32). The Song of Deborah (Judg 5:15–16) criticizes the Reubenites for staying with their flocks during the conquest of the promised land. However, Numbers 32:31–33 portrays the Reubenites as taking a more active role in the conquest. The tribe is not mentioned after the fall of the northern kingdom. The only reference to Reuben in the New Testament is in Rev 7:5.

What are some lessons we can glean?

position is no replacement for character

our actions can have long and even generational consequences

Sources

Mathews, K. A. Genesis 11:27–50:26. Vol. 1B. The New American Commentary. Nashville: Broadman & Holman Publishers, 2005.

Ross, Allen P. “Genesis.” In The Bible Knowledge Commentary: An Exposition of the Scriptures, edited by J. F. Walvoord and R. B. Zuck. Wheaton, IL: Victor Books, 1985.

Wright, Jonathon S. “Reuben, Son of Jacob.” Edited by John D. Barry, David Bomar, Derek R. Brown, Rachel Klippenstein, Douglas Mangum, Carrie Sinclair Wolcott, Lazarus Wentz, Elliot Ritzema, and Wendy Widder. The Lexham Bible Dictionary. Bellingham, WA: Lexham Press, 2016.