The eldest son of Jacob was generally speaking a good man, for he sought to protect Joseph from the hatred and evil intent of his other brothers, and later to deliver him safely to his father again, 37. 21-30. He also seemed genuinely grieved once he discovered that the brothers had sold Joseph to the Ishmaelites. Later, he brings home the enormity of their sin, and the consequent returning of this sin upon their own heads by the Lord, 42. 22. It is he who offers his two sons as guarantee of Benjamin’s safety when for the second time they must of necessity return to Egypt, 42. 37.
His character seems, however, to have been flawed, for: –
1. He seems to have been taken up with the superstitions of his mother, 30. 14.
2. He lacked the moral courage to stand totally against the brothers in their purpose, and also their subsequent deceit to Jacob, 37. 22, 31 -32. There is a great need for believers to have the courage of their convictions and to be prepared to speak out against the evil of our day.
3. He mars his character by taking his father’s concubine, Bilhah, and committing incest, 35. 22. Jacob never forgot this. It only takes a few moments of foolishness to destroy the reputation of a lifetime, though no doubt there would be progression of coldness to the Lord prior to such an act. How we need to be on our guard!
So Jacob sums up his character, ‘Reuben, thou art my firstborn, my might, and the beginning of my strength, the excellency of dignity, and the excellency of power: Unstable as water, thou shalt not excel; because thou wentest up to thy father’s bed; then defiledst thou it: he went up to my couch’, 49. 3-4.
Here is a man, then, possessed of some good points but sadly inconsistent; he is marked by the instability of water. Therefore he loses the privilege and double portion of the birthright, which passes to Joseph and his children, 48. 20.
At the judgment seat rewards will be given to those who remain faithful and consistent in holy, sanctified, living for Christ.
