For days now, I have been thinking a lot about Reuben, his actions, why he did what he did, and why his father was silent on the issue for years until the day of his death. This raises questions like, why didn't Israel forgive Reuben and lots more. Was his sin unforgivable, or was it a lesson in how deep our actions can affect our future? What does this teach us as old and young ones?
I hope you haven't forgotten about the story of Reuben in the Bible? While his other brothers were trying to kill Joseph, he was doing his best to ensure Joseph’s safety. His suggestion to put Joseph in the pit was to save his life. We can say that Joseph remained alive to an extent because of Reuben's efforts.
Regardless, Reuben's greatest mistake was sleeping with his father's concubine, which at that time was a grave sin and a slap to his father. The sin of Reuben was so great that his efforts to keep Joseph alive couldn’t protect him when his father cursed him in Genesis 49:4. His father had been silent about the matter until he was about to die!
No good words were spoken concerning him! Dear Lord.
The curse stripped him of his birthright as the firstborn. He was cursed to be unstable as water and not to excel.
I don’t even know what to say, but what I can say is this: may we not offend those we ought not to offend! May our emotions not drive us to doom. May sexual urges not kill our destiny.
One night’s mistake stripped a man—Reuben—of his birthright, and not one good prayer was spoken concerning him.
Michael Gowen said, ''King David knew a lot about guilt and he tells us, When I kept it all inside, my bones turned to powder, my words became daylong groans. The pressure never let up; all the juices of my life dried up (Psalm 32:3-4).
''But here is the good news: David knew what to do about it: Then I let it all out; I said, “I’ll make a clean breast of my failures to God.” Suddenly the pressure was gone – my guilt dissolved, my sin disappeared (Psalm 32:5). If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and purify us from all wrongdoing (1 John 1:9). How wonderful that purity is!''
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