Reuben’s story is told in Genesis 29-50
- Who Is Reuben?
- Introduction to Reuben: Reuben was the eldest son of Jacob (also known as Israel) and Leah, born in Padan-Aram. He was also a brother to Simeon, Levi, Judah, Issachar, Zebulun, Dinah from his mother’s side, and the half-brother to Joseph, Benjamin, Dan, Naphtali, Gad, and Asher.
- His name’s meaning: The name Reuben means “behold, a son” in Hebrew. Leah chose this name in the hope that Jacob would love her more for bearing him a son (Genesis 29:32).
- Strengths and Accomplishments
- Protective brother: Reuben acted as a protective elder brother. He persuaded his brothers not to kill Joseph, suggesting they throw him into a pit instead, planning to rescue him later (Genesis 37:21-22).
- Repentant spirit: Reuben displayed a repentant spirit after his mistakes, offering his two sons as a surety to his father when they needed to return to Egypt for food during the famine (Genesis 42:37).
- Weaknesses and Mistakes
- Act of Disrespect: Reuben made a significant mistake by sleeping with his father’s concubine, Bilhah (Genesis 35:22). This act of disrespect led to him losing his birthright (Genesis 49:3-4).
- Inconsistency: Reuben displayed inconsistency in his decisions, especially in his protective role towards Joseph, where his plan failed and Joseph was sold to the traders.
- Lessons from His Life
- Consequences of Sin: Reuben’s story reminds us that sin has lasting consequences. His impulsive decision cost him his birthright, a situation that could have been avoided.
- Repentance and Redemption: Despite his grave mistakes, Reuben shows that redemption is possible when one genuinely repents and changes their actions.
- Key Verses (NIV version)
- Genesis 29:32 – “Leah became pregnant and gave birth to a son. She named him Reuben, for she said, ‘It is because the LORD has seen my misery. Surely my husband will love me now.'”
- Genesis 37:21-22 – “When Reuben heard this, he tried to rescue him from their hands. ‘Let’s not take his life,’ he said. ‘Don’t shed any blood. Throw him into this cistern here in the wilderness, but don’t lay a hand on him.’ Reuben said this to rescue him from them and take him back to his father.”
- Genesis 49:3-4 – “Reuben, you are my firstborn, my might, the first sign of my strength, excelling in honor, excelling in power. Turbulent as the waters, you will no longer excel, because you went up onto your father’s bed, onto my couch and defiled it.”