07.01. Reuben
REUBEN. In the review we hope to be able to take of the twelve tribes, our object is not so much to inquire into their history, as to trace the descent of each, and mark how each got its complexion from its forefather. For it is very remarkable that, for the most part, each tribe is spoken of both in Jacob’s prediction and in Moses’ blessing in terms that bear reference to the patriarch who founded it, and to circumstances connected with his personal history. As the sin of Adam spread its dark shadow over all his race, so in some degree the special acts of the twelve patriarchs affected all generations of their descendants. Mysterious truth! but truth that cannot be gainsayed!
We begin with Jacob’s first-born-, Reuben. In Genesis 29:32, we have the record of his birth. It was with something like proud exultation over Rachel that Leah exclaimed, ******"Behold ye have a son! Come and see what the Lord hath given me!" She had been for a time suffering the consequences of the part she took in the deception practised upon Jacob by Laban. She had felt sorely the coolness of Jacob’s love toward her, and had discerned also the apparent frown of Jehovah in her temporary barrenness. But now the sun has shone through the cloud, and very beautifully does she acknowledge the giver: "Surely Jehovah hath looked upon my affliction." She traces events to their true cause, the loving-kindness of "The Father of lights," who sends every good gift. Family trials, as well as family mercies, are all from Him. Secret wounds, heart-burnings, gloom, and smiles, are not unnoticed, nor uncared for. Then further, Leah expected much comfort from this gift. "My husband will love me." This is to be one result. This son shall be the corner-stone of the family building. "See, a son!" This is another expected result, combined with the anticipation that of course she shall be looked upon with wistful envy by others. But alas! like Eve with Cain, she was destined to be disappointed in the main subject of her exultation. As Eve fondly hoped that Cain, "a man gotten from the Lord," was to be her comfort and joy, yet found him her bitterest sorrow; so did Leah, too, soon discover that this son of her womb was to be a sword in her bones, when in after-years "he defiled his father’s bed" (Genesis 35:22).
Sad indeed was the after-history. Jacob (Genesis 44:4 felt it profoundly, and was directed by the Holy Ghost to express God’s abhorrence of the incestuous act by that prediction, "Unstable as water, thou shall not excel:" effervescing, or boiling over ******in insolent pride and uncontrollable desire, thou shalt pay the penalty.
"Reuben, thou art my first-born, My might, even the first fruit of my strength, Pre-eminent in dignity, pre-eminent in power." This thou art by natural right; yet because of thy sin, the frown of Jehovah visits thee and thine;
"Thou shalt have no exaltation," no distinction above thy brethren. The leadership of Israel is thus withdrawn from him, along with the birthright, as 1 Chronicles 5:1-2, particularly notes. Neither he nor any of his tribe rose to commanding influence in Israel.
Sorrowful Leah! With thee, in thy crushed hopes, well could Eve have sympathized. If thou mournest over an adulterer of no common degree, she mourned over a murderer, a fratricide. Let no parent after this embark too much hope in such bulrush-vessels. The gift may be prized, but must not be over-valued nor trusted in. There is only one such vessel of which it is safe for us to boast: it is not Cain, nor Reuben, but another son, "The Son given to us" (Isaiah 9:5). Of Him let us boast. "Behold a Son indeed!" God’s Son. He disappoints no hopes, and to Him must Eve repair in her bitter grief, and Leah with her blighted prospects, and Eli weeping his eyes blind over Hophni and Phinehas, and David groaning till his kingdom hear it, over Absalom. "Behold a Son!" ********The true Reuben is God’s Firstborn. When Moses (Deuteronomy 33:6) speaks of the tribe of Reuben, it is quite plain that the same Spirit is guiding his utterance. There is the same tone in his words- "Let Reuben live!
Let not Reuben die, and his men be few!" This is all. No pre-eminence, even though his tribe multiply as to numbers. His people are to be ******* "mortals," not "warriors" in any remarkable manner. It was at best the blessing that came on Ishmael, "Oh that Ishmael might live before thee" (Genesis 17:18). The sin of this patriarch-father deserved death in every sense; extinction from Israel, as well as degradation. But pardon is granted: he is to "live, and not die;" though from him must pass away the birthright office of chief-ruler, and all notable pre-eminence. His history sounds through Israel’s hosts in all generations: "Flee youthful lusts!" "Whoso committeth adultery, 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" (Proverbs 6:32-33).
Still, Reuben was spared and pardoned; his name was on the High Priest’s breastplate, and a loaf stood for him on the golden table. And we find him in after-days walking softly (may we not say?) in his appointed lot beyond Jordan. He did nobly in the seven years’ war under Joshua for the possession of Canaan, when associated with Gad, and the half tribe of Manasseh, and along with them received the meed of praise for brotherly help and faithfulness to his pledged word (Joshua 22:1-9). But this is the one only time that Reuben shines, and even then he has no pre-eminence above Gad and Manasseh. So also when he contributes his share to the 120,000 valiant men who came to David "with all manner of instruments of war" (1 Chronicles 12:37), there is no superiority claimed for him. On the other hand, he shrinks back in the day of battle, when Barak and Deborah go forth (Judges 5:16).
"At the streams of Reuben There were great resolves of heart;" but what did they end in? In inactivity and unbrotherly withholding of help, unlike his earlier days (Joshua 1:12-15); so that the prophetess upbraids him, and stigmatizes his unworthy attitude:
"Why abodest thou among the sheep-folds, To hear the bleating of the flocks!" rather than come on the battle-field, and hear the trumpet and the clash of arms.
We read of the early captivity of this tribe (1 Chronicles 5:6). It was among the first of the tribes carried into exile: proud Nineveh witnessed the spectacle of Beerah, Prince of Reuben, led along her streets in chains-the last prince of the tribe! His brethren, left behind in their land, were roused to effort, and, under energetic chiefs, recovered possession of the region "from Aroer to Nebo" (1 Chronicles 5:7-8); and finding the pastures of Gilead unoccupied, quietly settled down upon them, enjoying a short season of tranquillity. But it was only the lamp shooting up "a flickering flame" ere it sank away in its socket.
We said that once only did Reuben’s light shine brilliantly. We may, however, add that in the days of Saul they got some renown by a victory over the Hagarites (1 Chronicles 5:10). In after-times they sink out of view. Once only was their territory signalized by any remarkable exploit. That one event was the Battle of Medeba (1 Chronicles 19:7-19). Within their boundaries also stood that mountain, never to be forgotten, viz., Nebo, with its summit, Pisgah, whence Moses viewed the land; a mountain of melancholy interest, a grave and a monument. And let us note that Heshbon and Elealeh, of which Isaiah says (Isaiah 16:9), "I will water thee with my tears; Jazer too, and Sibmah, over which Jeremiah (Jeremiah 48:32) plaintively laments, "I will weep for thee with the weeping of Jazer," were in Reuben’s land. Dibon also and Bajith were here, to the high places whereof "they went up to weep." Altogether we see the stamp and gloom of their forefather’s sin ever re-appearing in this tribe.
Nevertheless in the latter day, Reuben’s stains shall no more appear. In Ezekiel 48:6-7, we find his portion between Ephraim and Judah-a position of honour surely, indicating restoration from the fall in which his forefather involved him? "Oh that the salvation of Israel were come out of Zion!" Let Israel know that spiritual adultery, as a people, has been their ruin. They left Jehovah: and when He came to his own, clothed in our humanity; when He stood on their hills, and wept over them; they sternly rejected Him. And never since that hour have they prospered. "They shall not excel," is Israel’s doom, as it was Reuben’s, until they shall come in the latter day to wash away the stain of their enormous sin in "the fountain opened for sin and uncleanness" (Zechariah 13:1). Then shall they return to honour and excellency.
PISGAH IN THE TRIBE OF REUBEN. (Deuteronomy 34:5) "SWEET was the journey to the sky, The holy prophet tried;
‘Climb up the mount,’ said God, ‘and die:’ The prophet climbed and died.
"Softly, with fainting head, he lay Upon his Maker’s breast; His Maker soothed his soul away, And laid his flesh to rest.
"In God’s own arms he left the breath Which God’s own Spirit gave; His was the noblest road to death, And his the sweetest grave."
WATTS.