Reuben’s story is told in Genesis 29-50
Reuben: The Firstborn Who Tried to Make Things Right
Have you ever made a mistake you wish you could take back? Maybe you let someone down, or made a poor choice that affected others. If so, you might find something familiar in the story of Reuben, the oldest son of Jacob in the Old Testament. His story is one of failure, regret, and a desire to make things right.
Let’s take a closer look at Reuben’s life and what we can learn from it.
Who Was Reuben?
Reuben was the firstborn son of Jacob and Leah. In ancient times, being the oldest son came with special privileges. Reuben was supposed to lead his brothers and receive the biggest share of his father’s inheritance. He had a lot of responsibility—and a lot to lose.
But sadly, Reuben didn’t always live up to what was expected of him.
Reuben’s Major Mistakes
One of the biggest turning points in Reuben’s life came when he dishonored his father. The Bible tells us that Reuben slept with Bilhah, one of his father’s concubines (Genesis 35:22). While the Bible doesn’t give many details, this act deeply offended Jacob and damaged their relationship.
Because of this, Reuben lost his place of honor as the firstborn. Later, when Jacob blessed his sons, he said Reuben would “no longer excel” because of his actions (Genesis 49:3–4).
It was a painful reminder that our choices have lasting consequences.
Trying to Save Joseph
Despite his past mistake, Reuben later showed a desire to do what was right. When his younger brother Joseph was hated by their other brothers and they plotted to kill him, Reuben spoke up.
Instead of killing Joseph, Reuben suggested they throw him into a pit, planning to come back later and rescue him. He was trying to protect Joseph without confronting his brothers too directly.
Sadly, while Reuben was away, the others sold Joseph as a slave. When Reuben returned and found the pit empty, he was heartbroken. He tore his clothes in sorrow, realizing he had failed to save his brother.
A Glimpse of Growth
Years later, a famine brought Joseph’s brothers to Egypt—where Joseph, now second-in-command, recognized them even though they didn’t know who he was. When Joseph demanded they bring their youngest brother Benjamin to Egypt, Reuben took a stand.
He promised their father Jacob that he would take care of Benjamin, even offering the lives of his own sons if he failed. This showed that Reuben was more responsible and caring than before. He wanted to protect his family and regain his father’s trust.
What We Can Learn from Reuben
Reuben’s story might not be as famous as Joseph’s, but it still teaches us some important lessons:
- Everyone makes mistakes – Even people in leadership roles or who seem to “have it all.”
- Mistakes have consequences – Reuben lost something very important because of his choices.
- It’s never too late to try to do what’s right – Reuben tried to save Joseph and later took steps to protect Benjamin.
- Growth takes time – Reuben didn’t change overnight, but we see signs that he learned from his past.
Final Thoughts
Reuben’s life didn’t turn out the way he probably imagined. He made serious mistakes, lost his father’s trust, and missed out on the blessings that could have been his. But even in his failure, he showed signs of growth and responsibility.
Maybe you’ve made some wrong choices in your own life. The good news is, like Reuben, you can still make better decisions moving forward. It’s never too late to step up, do the right thing, and care for others.
Reflection question:
Is there something in your life that needs fixing—or someone you need to make things right with?