Israel’s Prophecy for Reuben
Genesis 49: And Jacob called his sons and said, “Gather
together, that I may tell you what shall befall you in the last days:
2 “Gather together and hear, you sons
of Jacob,
And listen to Israel your father.
3 “Reuben, you are my firstborn,
My might and the beginning of my strength,
The excellency of dignity and the excellency of power.
4 Unstable as water, you shall not excel,
Because you went up to your father’s bed;
Then you defiled it—
He went up to my couch.
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Knowing he was going to die, Jacob called for his sons to
hear his last words. He began with the oldest to the youngest. For Reuben he
spoke words of excellency of dignity and power, but instability.
My Observations:
- Jacob
remembered that Reuben slept with one of his wives, Bilhah.
- Jacob
may have taught Reuben how to be wealthy and powerful, but recognized his
weakness of being doubleminded.
- Reuben
crossed a line that could not be repaired, but was not disowned or
disinherited.
Jacob’s words would come true. No judge, prophet, ruler, or
prince came from the tribe or Reuben. Reuben’s decision making would haunt him.
Even though Reuben had committed the sin forty years prior, Jacob could never
forget it.
Reuben tried to stop his brothers from throwing Joseph in
the pit. Reuben was not chose by Joseph to throw in jail, rather he chose
Simeon, the second born. There may have been some significance in skipping
Reuben, but it is not stated. GOD was preparing how the tribes would later
interact.
Challenge
- Why
does GOD tell Moses about Israel’s prophecy of the tribe of Reuben?
- Have
you made mistakes that you regret?
- Are
you glad that GOD removed your mistakes away from HIM as far as the east
is from the west?
Prayer
Dear LORD, please bless this reader today. Let him or her
know that YOU have accounted for mistakes and that you have forgiven each one.
Please show YOUR grace, and mercy today. amen
