Genesis 49:3-4 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.
Reuben had many advantages and privileges. He was the firstborn child, the oldest, entitled to the birthright. Jacob had great expectations for Reuben and counts him as the beginning of his strength, a man of great dignity and power. He had a lot going for him and there was no reason to expect him to ruin himself.
But Reuben disgraced himself. In Genesis 35, we learn that Reuben slept with Bilhah, Jacob’s concubine. Why did Reuben do this? Jacob describes him in Genesis 49 as “unstable as water.”
How is water unstable? Here, “unstable” means: recklessness, wantonness and unbridled license. Water does not control itself or deny itself from flowing. You can’t stop it. My garden hose sprung a leak and I put electrical tape on the hose, but the water would not be denied, it just leaked around the edges of the tape. When a dam breaks and the river valley is flooded, the water will not be denied – it goes wherever it pleases and fills every nook and cranny. Water knows no limitations.
How was Reuben unstable as water? On the one hand, Reuben could do right: He attempted in Genesis 42 to spare Joseph’s life. But on the other hand, he lay with his father’s concubine. Reuben lacked self-control, had no respect for boundaries or limits to self-will and selfish desires. Unstable does not like “no” for an answer. He had no respect for his father, was consumed by his lust and was not thoughtful in his decision-making.
What did Reuben’s instability cost him? His strength, his dignity and power. He had great promise, he could have excelled or done well considering his advantages as the firstborn; but he threw it all away because he would not allow his flesh to be denied. No judge, prophet or ruler ever came from the tribe of Reuben.
He fostered an attitude of settling for less in the hearts of his descendants. Later, all the tribes of Israel were promised land on the west side of Jordan, but the enemies on the west side had to be defeated in battle to get it. And God promised the victory. The tribe of Reuben had no desire to excel and essentially told Moses, “the grass is green on the east side, we’ll help the other tribes fight on the west side, but let us have our portion on the east side.” So much for might, power and strength! The tribe of Reuben was lazy and took no initiative to get the best God had for them. They settled for less!
He lost his reputation. It had been forty years since Reuben went into Bilhah, but it was not forgotten. Proverbs 6:32-33 But whoso committeth adultery with a woman lacketh understanding: he that doeth it destroyeth his own soul. A wound and dishonour shall he get; and his reproach shall not be wiped away.
What can Christians learn from Reuben? Like Reuben, Christians have a lot of advantages in our salvation through faith in Christ, the Bible, the opportunity to have a prayer life, join a church and serve God. We have much potential there for the taking – IF WE DESIRE IT!
Respect the boundaries God puts in your life. If there is something you want and God said “no”, leave it alone. Why hurt yourself? Many a Christian failed to excel because they did not respect the boundaries God established. They would not allow themselves to be denied what they want and they sidelined themselves in the work of the Lord.
Remain stable and steadfast. Stability is a hallmark of Christian maturity. The mature Christian is stable, steadfast, diligent, consistent and dependable. 1 Corinthians 15:58 Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye stedfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labour is not in vain in the Lord.
Many a Christian could have excelled, but, like Reuben, they were unstable. They walked with Christ for a little while and then stopped. Proverbs 24:21-22 My son, fear thou the LORD and the king: and meddle not with them that are given to change: For their calamity shall rise suddenly; and who knoweth the ruin of them both?
