Introduction
Little is known of Ruben in the Bible. He was scantily mentioned of which majority of this times were mere numbering or a census account. However, some of the other few instances give some clue about his tenderness, firmness, and looseness. This, we hope to explore in this article. So we learn and avoid the pitfalls in which he unwantedly found himself.
Bible Text
Who was Mr Ruben Jacob?
In what follows, we shall examine the different roles Ruben played. This doing, we believe the detection of his strength and weaknesses will avail to our correction, warning and encouragement.
Ruben, the son of Leah
Genesis 29:32 So Leah conceived and bore a son, and she called his name Reuben; for she said, “The Lord has surely looked on my affliction. Now therefore, my husband will love me.”
Genesis 29:32 So Leah became pregnant and gave birth to a son. She named him Reuben, for she said, “The Lord has noticed my misery, and now my husband will love me.”
Genesis 29:32 Leah conceived and gave birth to a son and named him Reuben (See, a son!), for she said, “Because the Lord has seen my humiliation and suffering; now my husband will love me [since I have given him a son].”
Names, as we know, in the Old Testament, were given purposefully as either a description of the circumstances surrounding a child’s birth. Or to shape the child’s future. Leah felt her son Reuben was given by God to sink the resentment she had been facing from the combined hate-driven efforts of Jacob and Rachel. He was intended as a restorer of love. Why? All siblings after a firstborn were perceived subservient (a little above slaves) to him in the ancient middle eastern tradition and was a prevalent belief even until the time of Jesus. Did he restore this love? Let us inquire further…
Ruben, the firstborn
Genesis 46:8 Now these were the names of the children of Israel, Jacob and his sons, who went to Egypt: Reuben was Jacob’s firstborn.
Genesis 46:8 These are the names of the descendants of Israel—the sons of Jacob—who went to Egypt: Reuben was Jacob’s oldest son.”
Genesis 46:8 Now these are the names of the sons of Israel, Jacob and his sons, who went to Egypt: Reuben, Jacob’s firstborn.
Leah may not have been thinking of an automatic elevation to the position of beloved in the heart of Jacob. Instead, she must have thought about the numerous responsibilities associated with being the first child. Like Jacob said, “My might and the beginning of my strength.”1 A large part of all intelligence, dexterity, cunningness, endurance, power, and every other excellent qualities of Jacob were naturally ingrained in Ruben unadulterated. Jacob could also call him his “might” because his birth was in the wake of renewed Jacob’s 7 years of self-inflicted servitude to Laban. Consequently, Ruben must have shouldered a lot of responsibility seeing that Laban was not an easy-to-please master. Hence, Leah must have thought the hard work of Ruben, the joy of a father seeing the progressive growth of his child, as well as his image reflecting in Ruben would excite Jacob. And the reward would be a loving disposition from Jacob to her.
Little did she know that the cunningness displayed by Jacob was inherited from Rebecca. Of course, this was only a trait that flowed down the family of Laban. Before long, Rachel made up a scheme and cast shadows on the fulfilment of Leah’s desire by donating her slave as a baby mother to Jacob. This was the “beginning of the battle of births.” Every name except Judah sounded like one wife taking a swipe on the other. I wonder what sort of children could be produced in such an environment laden with hostility. Meanwhile, Ruben may not have been utterly evil.
Ruben, the generous teen
Genesis 30:14-15 Now Reuben went in the days of wheat harvest and found mandrakes in the field, and brought them to his mother Leah. Then Rachel said to Leah, “Please give me some of your son’s mandrakes.” 15] But she said to her, “Is it a small matter that you have taken away my husband? Would you take away my son’s mandrakes also?” And Rachel said, “Therefore he will lie with you tonight for your son’s mandrakes.”
Genesis 30:14-15 One day during the wheat harvest, Reuben found some mandrakes growing in a field and brought them to his mother, Leah. Rachel begged Leah, “Please give me some of your son’s mandrakes.” 15] But Leah angrily replied, “Wasn’t it enough that you stole my husband? Now will you steal my son’s mandrakes, too?” Rachel answered, “I will let Jacob sleep with you tonight if you give me some of the mandrakes.”
Genesis 30:14-15 Now at the time of wheat harvest Reuben [the eldest child] went and found some mandrakes in the field, and brought them to his mother Leah. Then Rachel said to Leah, “Please give me some of your son’s mandrakes.” 15] But Leah answered, “Is it a small thing that you have taken my husband? Would you take away my son’s mandrakes also?” So Rachel said, “Jacob shall sleep with you tonight in exchange for your son’s mandrakes.”
Someday, as a teenager, Ruben went to the field and remembered that he his mum was at home and needed some fruit from the open country for some refreshments. Although partial, Ruben brought some mandrakes home for his lovely, lonely mum. But Racheal being who she was wanted the mandrakes. Probably for the hope that he will return to the fields and get more fruits and that by giving Rachel, she will lessen her hostility towards Leah, Ruben gave her the mandrakes. That was a considerate gesture: thoughtful of mum and generous to his mummy’s enemy. The result of this gesture was the birth of Issachar – the strong donkey. Issachar literarily means the wage of renting Jacobs attention with Rubens mandrakes2.
Ruben, the fearful
Genesis 37:26-27 So Judah said to his brothers, “What profit is there if we kill our brother and conceal his blood? 27 Come and let us sell him to the Ishmaelites, and let not our hand be upon him, for he is our brother and our flesh.” And his brothers listened.
Genesis 37:26-27 Judah said to his brothers, “What will we gain by killing our brother? We’d have to cover up the crime. 27 Instead of hurting him, let’s sell him to those Ishmaelite traders. After all, he is our brother—our own flesh and blood!” And his brothers agreed.
Genesis 37:26-27 Judah said to his brothers, “What do we gain if we kill our brother and cover up his blood (murder)? 27 Come, let us [instead] sell him to these Ishmaelites [and Midianites] and not lay our hands on him, because he is our brother and our flesh.” So his brothers listened to him and agreed.
Ruben displayed an effeminate character in the event that led to the sale of Joseph. He opted for casting Joseph into the pit to come later to rescue him and reunite him to father Jacob. By tradition, Ruben wielded much power as a firstborn in the absence of Jacob. He represented a father to them under normal circumstances. How come he could not command them to refrain from hurting the boy at all? Two explanations. It was either he was afraid of his younger ones rebelling against him. Or he had no moral rights to make such demand.
Granted, the outcome of the wicked conspiracy of his younger was dreary. It was nevertheless cruel to the tune to which he allowed it. In fact, the lads might have spent much more time with him herding the flock, than with their father and at home. Hence, he shared responsibilities for their morality. But since Ruben had not so led a goodly life, he could not demand his younger one do same. He will be unlike himself. And since he was unrighteous in dealings with his younger ones, he could not have been bold as a lion3 to demand the release of Joseph.
Look at Jesus our firstborn, he dared anything to the extent of his life to go into the grave to rescue us from hell. While Ruben typified the first Adam, Judah was the type of second Adam – Jesus. The first Adam let us down into the pit of sin, the second put his life a stake to rescue us and bring us into glory through some unsuspecting circumstance called persecutions and trials. For we have been ordained to inherit the kingdom of God through tribulations. No wonder Jesus was pleased to title himself the “Lion of the tribe of Judah” – as bold as Judah to rescue, unlike Ruben.
An appraisal
Dear reader, Jesus descending to this earth to die is sufficient as hell for Him. It is such a denial! Not only does sin cause cowardly fear of God for the sinner, but it also separates the saint from his Saviour.
The struggling-to-believe
One can be sure Judah must have been the one, who lifted the victim out of the pit. And if true, Joseph must have heard it all. Probably, in his conversation with Jacob, when he arrived in Egypt, Joseph mentioned the selfless efforts of Judah to Jacob. This must therefore be one of the contributory factors responsible for Judah getting the most blessings of all.
Our father, the first Adam, sold us into sin. He dunked us into the pit of sin. Sin is defined as any act that separates man from God. It is our nature and, we are suffering from it due to the carelessness of Adam. He allowed Eve to dictate to him as the younger ones of Ruben dictated to him. The result of this is that we find ourselves groping helplessly in the pit of sin.
With great compassion, Jesus like Judah descended into this earth like the pit in which Joseph was flung to come to rescue us. Alas, men like darkness and would rather, remain in this dark pit of sin. You do not have to be like that. See the Saviour saying, “Let me help you up, you do not have to die here.” Will you let Christ lead you out of the hopelessness of sin? Look at, he saw your despair, He has seen how confused you are, and He is saying, “Give me your hand let me help you up. Come have a part amidst the living.” Reach out to him today and tell him to save – amazingly, he is everywhere, just where you are now. Your path is not too dark that his light cannot fish you out.
Reach out to him today and tell him to save – amazingly, he is everywhere, just where you are now.
Your path is not too dark that his light cannot fish you out.
The believer
Dear believer, Ruben like every other Christian, started well. He earned the praise of his father. When Jacob travelled the wilderness of Padanaram in search of greener pasture for the flock of Laban day and night, Ruben was there with him. He was exposed to nomadic life early. He bore the hottest heat of hostility between all Jacob’s wives.
Just like him, we all start well and, perhaps early. And like Jacob, God was happy to see Himself being replicated in us, no matter how childish or immature. Along the way and for reasons which we cannot explain, Ruben lost it. However, Jacob expected consistency and firmness from Ruben while he got instability. Ruben was an encouragement today and a disappointment a day after. His father wished he were hot or cold. And since he lived his life just that way, Ruben spewed him out of his mouth with a curse.
God expects no less from us. He said, “He that endures till the end shall be saved.” I know you have been saved from sin and are being saved from your sinful nature by sanctification. Yet, you must be saved at last from the presence of sin – this sinful world. And the only link between now and then is patient endurance. May I bid you repent if you have been turned back? Or seek grace while in your time of need if you are contemplating looking back? Or seek grace for progress in your walk with Jesus, lest you think you stand but are eventually stagnant and, therefore, fall? Dear, brother-in-Christ, make a claim on the words of the One who has promised and is also able to bring it to pass, that He may steady your feet in prevention from falling.
