Reuben

Reuben

Jacob, whom GOD later renamed Israel, had 12 children.  These 12 children and their descendants are known as the 12 tribes of Israel.

Reuben was the first child and was entitled to the birthright, which would have given Him and his descendants a double portion of the inheritance, as well as spiritual blessings.  But Reuben forfeited the birthright by committing adultery with his stepmother.  The birthright was given to Joseph.

When Jacob was about to die he called his 12 children around him.  To Reuben he stated what he and his descendants might have been if they would have followed GOD with all their hearts.  Jacob said, "Reuben, thou art my first born, my might, and the beginning of my strength, the excellency of dignity, and of power."  But then he ended with the truth,  "unstable as water, thou shall not excel."

Reuben was weak, vacillating, easily persuaded for wrong.  History has shown how true these words are.  The tribe of Reuben never produced a judge or a prophet.  But instead, some Reubenites named Dathan and Abiram tried to overtake the authority given to Moses.  When the Israelites were about to enter the promised land, the tribe of Reuben requested land on the other side of the Jordan, near the Moabites. This resulted in their being among the first to be taken captive.

Even with this negative history, GOD is very merciful.  When Moses was preparing to die he said a blessing over the tribe of Reuben, saying "let Reuben live, and not die; and let not his men be few."  How could this be?

How could a tribe that was as unstable as water, that should not excel, receive such a blessing.  That is the amazing power of GOD's transforming love.  GOD can take something bad and make it good if we have a willing heart.  That was what happened to the tribe of Reuben under the leadership of the prophet Deborah, a mother in Israel.  During the Battle of Megiddo the Bible states that among "the divisions of Reuben there was a great searching of heart."  If your life has been unstable, allow GOD to search your heart and change your character.

 

Picture originally found here

Related Articles

More From Articles

Live to Give

Generosity is an important Jewish value.
Live to Give

Torah-Eve

I would say most people who have read the Torah probably know that Eve was the first person to…
Torah-Eve

Mother in Israel

Are you a mother, or a father, in Israel? Have you ever heard someone called "a mother in…
Mother in Israel

Meekness is not Weakness

Many professed believers seem to believe holiness consists of ignoring human rights or even…
Meekness is not Weakness

Hezekiah

Hezekiah reigned as king of Judah for 29 years and he followed God. In his first month as king…
Hezekiah

Who is a Jew?

Have you ever wondered where the term Jew comes from?
Who is a Jew?

Ruth

The Hebrew Scriptures record the history of a gentile woman named Ruth. Because of a famine in…
Ruth

Torah-Poor God (Genesis 4)

“So the LORD said to Cain, ‘Why are you angry? And why has your countenance fallen? If you do…
Torah-Poor God (Genesis 4)

The Number Seven

The number 7 is the most used number throughout the Holy Scriptures.
The Number Seven

Ichabod

During a war between the Philistines and Israel the Ark of God, with the 10 Commandments in it,…
Ichabod

Torah-You Need to Know to Know

The Torah says, "'When your son asks you in time to come, saying, "What is the meaning of the…
Torah-You Need to Know to Know

Solomon

King Solomon was the third king of Israel and is known as the wisest man who ever lived.…
Solomon

In the Beginning

Perhaps one of the best known statements in the Torah is the verse “In the beginning God…
In the Beginning
Tel Lachish

Tel Lachish

What happened at Tel Lachish and why is it important biblically?
Tel Lachish

Publish the Menu module to "offcanvas" position. Here you can publish other modules as well.
Learn More.


donation