Israel-MEA-20170614-(N63)–Art-in-Jerusalem-Mosaic Reuben
Mosaic of the Tribe of Reuben, the first son of Isaac.
Over the next few weeks, we will be featuring each of the 12 tribes of Israel, born to the Patriarch Abraham, whose descendants became known as the Israelite nation.
Reuben was Israel’s (Jacob’s) first born and his father called him his ‘might, and the first sign of his strength’. As first-born, he had all the rights and privileges of a firstborn son, and in his early years, he excelled in honour and power. However, he dishonoured his father by sleeping with Bilhah, his father’s concubine wife. Jacob declared that Reuben ‘would no longer excel’.
By committing this uncleanness with his father’s wife, there would be reproach upon his tribe and the family, to whom he ought to have been an example and a blessing. He forfeited the prerogatives of the birthright, and his dying father demoted him, although he did not disown or disinherit him. He would still have all the privileges of a son, but not of the firstborn. Jacob’s sad prophecy for Reuben certainly came true for his descendants, for there was to be no judge, prophet, ruler, or prince to come from his tribe.
We also learn from Reuben that those who dabble in sin must not expect to save their reputation or maintain a positive influence upon others, and consequently left an indelible mark upon him and his family. If you want to put all this in context, check out Genesis 35:22 and other references to Reuben’s relative.
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