Refine Women’s Ministry Genesis 49 Jacob’s Dozen: Rueben Lesson 3: January 29, 2020 by Kim Peelen Then Jacob summoned his sons and said, "Assemble yourselves that I may tell you what will befall you in the days to come. “Gather together and hear, O sons of Jacob; And listen to Israel your father.” Genesis 49:1, 2 “To everything there is a season” is our Refine theme verse; appointed times for appointed purposes of God. It is Father Jacob’s time to speak and his sons’ time to keep silent and listen. Genesis 49 is our text - where Jacob bestows predictive blessings on his twelve sons, through whom God continues His covenantal promise of a land, a people, and a blessing. As the ancestry of the Jewish people, the accounts of the twelve tribes of Israel (Jacob’s new name given by God) form the dramatic narrative of the remainder of the Bible. The twelve sons of Israel gather expectantly to hear the final words of their father, wondering what blessing is reserved for them and their descendants. As the Spirit of God guides Jacob, he addresses Reuben first: Reuben, you are my firstborn; My might and the beginning of my strength, Preeminent in dignity and preeminent in power. Uncontrolled as water, you shall not have preeminence, Because you went up to your father’s bed; Then you defiled it —he went up to my couch. Genesis 49:3-4

Reuben: ‘You are my Firstborn’ Jacob begins by recalling the birth of his firstborn son, Reuben. His mother is Leah, who became Israel’s wife when, on his wedding night, Jacob’s uncle Laban substituted her for her younger sister Rachel (Gen. 29). Not surprisingly, Jacob loved Rachel more than Leah, which caused discord and jealousy, but God intervenes. Now the LORD saw that Leah was unloved, and He opened her womb, but Rachel was barren. Leah conceived and bore a son and named him Reuben, for she said, "Because the LORD has seen my affliction; surely now my husband will love me." Gen. 29: 31, 32. God responds to Leah’s distress of being unloved by Jacob, and gives her the firstborn son of the marriage. In Hebrew, his name means, ‘see, a son’. Leah’s hope is that this precious boy will begin to cultivate love between her and husband Jacob.

‘My Might and the Beginning of my Strength, Preeminent in Dignity and Preeminent in Power.’

In ancient Israel, the firstborn son receive a double portion of the father’s inheritance (Deuteronomy 21:17). In Jacob’s case, the inheritance would be divided into 13 portions and Reuben is expected to receive two while the remaining sons get one. In addition, as the eldest son, Reuben is the assumed leader of his brothers. Sadly, he will not enjoy either; in fact, these privileges and responsibilities are split between Joseph (10th born) and Judah (4th):

Now the sons of Reuben the firstborn of Israel (for he was the firstborn, but because he defiled his father's bed, his birthright was given to the sons of Joseph the son of Israel; so that he is not enrolled in the genealogy according to the birthright. 2 Though Judah prevailed over his brothers, and from him [came] the leader, yet the birthright belonged to Joseph) 1 Chronicles 5: 1, 2.

1 Long after Jacob and his sons die, the author of the Chronicles writes to exiled Jewish people (most had never participated in Temple worship or even seen Jerusalem), stressing their rich heritage and their special covenantal relationship to God in order to build a strong spiritual foundation. The Chronicler is referring to Genesis 49:4, which explains why the special blessings reserved for the firstborn son of Jacob did not go to Reuben, but rather to Joseph and Judah:

‘Uncontrolled as Water You shall not have Preeminence Because You went up to Your Father’s Bed; Then You Defiled it —He went up to my Couch’

What a shock as Jacob publically exposes the sin Reuben committed many years earlier, as recorded in Genesis 35:22: And it came about while Israel was dwelling in that land, that Reuben went and lay with Bilhah his father’s concubine; and Israel heard of it. This adulterous act happened after the massacre at Shechem (our next lesson), forcing the family to resettle between Bethlehem and Hebron. During their move, the LORD appears to Jacob, changes his name to Israel, confirms His covenant, and Rachel tragically dies giving birth to Benjamin. Scripture reveals that father Jacob heard about this gross violation, but evidently, did not confront Reuben at the time. Perhaps the tragedies of Shechem and Rachel’s death immobilized Jacob; the reason is not stated, but apparently, the brothers had not heard of it for these 20 years. The grammar of the last phrase, which shifts to the third person, he went up to my couch, indicates that Jacob chooses this significant moment to speak publically to his other sons of Reuben’s shameful act. Reuben’s moment of lust derails his tribes’ future for eternity.

‘Uncontrolled as Water’

Just as water outside its banks seeps and diverts in unpredictable ways – uncontrollable - Father Jacob prophesies that the tribe of Reuben will be marked by instability. Further study of the tribe’s behavior reveals how this trait characterized Reuben’s descendants.

Conquest of the Promised Land: Numbers 32 After wandering in the desert for almost 40 years, the tribes are preparing to conquer their long- promised land that is west of the Jordan River. Before any battles, Reuben along with Gad and half of Manasseh request portions of land on the east side of the river (known as Gilead). Their reasoning is that the land is better suited to graze their cattle. They also pledge to fight alongside their brothers to conquer their potions of land to the west when the time comes. Though (and The LORD) agrees to their plan, it reflects their instability and reluctance to wait upon the LORD to give them the land specifically selected for their tribe. Reuben settled for second best. Later, this decision to settle on the east nearly causes a civil war (see Joshua 22). See Map.

Song of Deborah and Barak: Judges 5 This beautiful song celebrates Israel’s brilliant victory against Sisera. Many tribes are specifically praised for bravery and willingness to risk everything in battle. Sadly, several tribes, including Reuben, are singled out for their hesitating instability- ‘searching of heart’- to enter the fight:

2 14 "From Ephraim those whose root is in Amalek [came down,] Following you, Benjamin, with your peoples; From Machir commanders came down, And from Zebulun those who wield the staff of office. 15 "And the princes of Issachar [were] with Deborah; As [was] Issachar, so [was] Barak; Into the valley they rushed at his heels; Among the divisions of Reuben [There were] great resolves of heart. 16 "Why did you sit among the sheepfolds, To hear the piping for the flocks? Among the divisions of Reuben [There were] great searchings of heart. 17 "Gilead remained across the Jordan; And why did Dan stay in ships? Asher sat at the seashore, And remained by its landings. 18 "Zebulun [was] a people who despised their lives [even] to death, And Naphtali also, on the high places of the field. Judges 5:14-18

‘You shall not have Preeminence (Excel)’

Also included in Jacob’s prophecy is Reuben’s insignificant future: ‘you shall not have preeminence’. His tribe does not develop to its fullest potential. Evidence of this includes a decrease of several thousand persons in its population from the first census at the beginning of the Wilderness Wandering to almost 40 years later (Numbers 1:20 to 26:7). Just before Moses dies, he blesses the tribes, and his brief prayer for Reuben. “Let Reuben live, and not die; and let not his men be few,” (Deuteronomy 33:6) indicates that the tribe may have been threatened with extinction. Not the strong finish one would expect for the eldest son.

Not only did Reuben not attain greatness as a populous tribe, but also more revealing is it did not produce a single prophet, military leader, judge, or important person in Israel’s history. Sadly, a significant example of Reuben’s instability is associated with its two most prominent men named and Abiram, who are associated with a disastrous rebellion.

Discussion Groups: Rebellion of in Numbers 16 Moses is the human representative of God’s Divine Authority, a man to whom God spoke directly

1 Now Korah the son of Izhar, the son of Kohath, the son of Levi, with Dathan and Abiram, the sons of Eliab, and On the son of Peleth, sons of Reuben, took [action,] 2 and they rose up before Moses, together with some of the sons of Israel, two hundred and fifty leaders of the congregation, chosen in the assembly, men of renown. 3 They assembled together against Moses and , and said to them, "You have gone far enough, for all the congregation are holy, every one of them, and the LORD is in their midst; so why do you exalt yourselves above the assembly of the LORD?

1. What are the names of the three leaders of the 250 in v. 1? What are their tribal names?

2. What accusation do they bring against Moses in v. 3? Is it true, false, or cannot determine?

4 When Moses heard [this,] he fell on his face; 5 and he spoke to Korah and all his company, saying, "Tomorrow morning the LORD will show who is His, and who is holy, and will bring [him] near to Himself; even the one whom He will choose, He will bring near to Himself. 6 "Do this: take censers for yourselves, Korah and all your company, 7 and put fire in them, and lay incense upon them in the presence of the LORD tomorrow; and the man whom the LORD chooses [shall be] the one who is holy. You have gone far enough, you sons of Levi!" ...

3 3. Based on Moses’ response, describe the seriousness of their accusation. How does this compare to your answer in question 2 (do you have more information to judge if it was true or not?)?

[12 Then Moses sent a summons to Dathan and Abiram, the sons of Eliab; but they said, "We will not come up. 13 "Is it not enough that you have brought us up out of a land flowing with milk and honey to have us die in the wilderness, but you would also lord it over us? 14 "Indeed, you have not brought us into a land flowing with milk and honey, nor have you given us an inheritance of fields and vineyards. Would you put out the eyes of these men? We will not come up!" 15 Then Moses became very angry and said to the LORD, "Do not regard their offering! I have not taken a single donkey from them, nor have I done harm to any of them." 16 Moses said to Korah, "You and all your company be present before the LORD tomorrow, both you and they along with Aaron.

4. What is Dathan’s and Abiram’s response to Moses’s summons in v. 12? What is their reason for refusing in v. 13, 14? What motivates their accusation against Moses?

5. What is Moses’ response in v. 15, 16?

25 Then Moses arose and went to Dathan and Abiram, with the elders of Israel following him, 26 and he spoke to the congregation, saying, "Depart now from the tents of these wicked men, and touch nothing that belongs to them, or you will be swept away in all their sin." 27 So they got back from around the dwellings of Korah, Dathan and Abiram; and Dathan and Abiram came out [and] stood at the doorway of their tents, along with their wives and their sons and their little ones. 28 Moses said, "By this you shall know that the LORD has sent me to do all these deeds; for this is not my doing. 29 "If these men die the death of all men or if they suffer the fate of all men, [then] the LORD has not sent me. 30 "But if the LORD brings about an entirely new thing and the ground opens its mouth and swallows them up with all that is theirs, and they descend alive into Sheol, then you will understand that these men have spurned the LORD."

6. In v. 26 Moses and the elders instruct the congregation to do what? How quickly must they evaluate whether to follow Korah or Moses?

7. In v. 30 what is the sin of Korah, Dathan, and Abiram? What will the congregation witness that confirms Moses as God’s leader?

31 As he finished speaking all these words, the ground that was under them split open; 32 and the earth opened its mouth and swallowed them up, and their households, and all the men who belonged to Korah with [their] possessions. 33 So they and all that belonged to them went down alive to Sheol; and the earth closed over them, and they perished from the midst of the assembly. 34 All Israel who [were] around them fled at their outcry, for they said, "The earth may swallow us up!"

8. Based on v. 31-33, was it possible to misinterpret God’s answer that Moses was His choice? Comment on God’s view of a rebellious attitude towards His authority and leaders.

9.How are we not submitting to God’s authority today? What is the ultimate way a person rebels against God’s authority?

4 Summary: Jude 11 refers to this horrific episode of the Jewish nation, Woe to them! For they have gone the way of Cain, and for pay they have rushed headlong in to the error of Balaam, and perished in the rebellion of Korah. Dathan, and Abiram, the most infamous names of the tribe of Reuben, join Korah to question the leadership of Moses and Aaron, but ultimately it is the sin of rebellion against God and His authority that condemns them to the LORD’s swift and awful judgment -the gaping earth swallows them, their families, and their possessions so they descend alive into Sheol! God is not mocked nor His authority defied without consequence.

There are two lessons to glean from Jacob’s prophecy to his firstborn. First, there are long-range effects from a fleeting act of sin. The short moments of adulterous passion between Reuben and Bilhah were not worth the long-term sorrow to Jacob, to Bilhah (and her sons Dan, Naphtali), and to Reuben himself. Secondly, even if a sin is forgiven, the impact and consequence of that sin often is still experienced. Reuben (and Bilhah) thought their sin was hidden, but Jacob heard of it. Perhaps Reuben lived as if his indiscretion with his father’s concubine never happened (Jewish tradition alleges that he repented of his sin with Bihah). Or, maybe he committed to living more righteously because of it. In Genesis 37, it is Reuben who protects Joseph from his murderous brothers, and pledges his sons’ lives as his promise to return both Benjamin and Simeon from their journey to Egypt (Genesis 42:37). These are good actions, but do not remove the consequences of his sin. He had taken his father’s woman, and Proverbs 6:32-34 warns: The one who commits adultery with a woman is lacking sense; He who would destroy himself does it. 33 Wounds and disgrace he will find, And his reproach will not be blotted out. 34 For jealousy enrages a man, And he will not spare in the day of vengeance. 35 He will not accept any ransom, Nor will he be satisfied though you give many gifts. Jacob certainly did not blot out the sin of his son Reuben.

Uncontrolled as water, you shall not have preeminence, Because you went up to your father’s bed; Then you defiled it —he went up to my couch. Jacob’s firstborn possessed the birthright and leadership privileges for the next generation until he squandered it because of his instability. Reuben gave in to the lure of passion with Bilhah, an example of the double-minded man in James 1:6-8: But he must ask in faith without any doubting, for the one who doubts is like the surf of the sea, driven and tossed by the wind. 7 For that man ought not to expect that he will receive anything from the Lord, 8 [being] a double-minded man, unstable in all his ways. Reuben’s sin disqualified him from his rightful inheritance by birth and doomed his descendants to a future of obscurity. How like the Jews who, though related to by birth, by their sinful rejection of Jesus Christ, Messiah and His offer of Salvation, disqualify themselves from their spiritual inheritance of a land, nation and a blessing that God promised to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob.

And someone said to Him, "Lord, are there [just] a few who are being saved?" And He said to them, 24 "Strive to enter through the narrow door; for many, I tell you, will seek to enter and will not be able. 25 "Once the head of the house gets up and shuts the door, and you begin to stand outside and knock on the door, saying, 'Lord, open up to us!' then He will answer and say to you, 'I do not know where you are from.' 26 "Then you will begin to say, 'We ate and drank in Your presence, and You taught in our streets'; 27 and He will say, 'I tell you, I do not know where you are from; DEPART FROM ME, ALL YOU EVILDOERS.' 28 "In that place there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth

5 when you see Abraham and Isaac and Jacob and all the prophets in the kingdom of God, but yourselves being thrown out. 29 "And they will come from east and west and from north and south, and will recline [at the table] in the kingdom of God. 30 "And behold, [some] are last who will be first and [some] are first who will be last." Luke 13:24-30

Homework

1. Read Numbers 32. What do the men of Gad and Reuben request of Moses in v. 3-5? What is Moses’ concern over their request in v. 6-8? What is their offer to Moses in v. 17 – 19? Discuss the impact of their selecting their own portions of land with having God choose it.

2. Read the Song of Deborah and Barak in Judges 5. How many tribes are honored? How many are criticized?

3. Read Genesis 33:17 – 35:3. Record any comments or questions. We will study Simeon and Levi next time.

Resources Jacob’s Dozen: A Prophetic Look at the Tribes of Israel by William Varner, 1987. John MacArthur Study Bible, NKJV, 1982 Rose Book of Bible Charts, Maps, & Time Lines, 2005. Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary of the Whole Bible, 1997

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