Words

DEVOTION

GENESIS

WORDS

Gen 48:21-49:4

21 Then Israel said to Joseph, "I am about to die, but God will be with you and take you back to the land of your fathers. 22 And to you, as one who is over your brothers, I give the ridge of land I took from the Amorites with my sword and my bow." Genesis 49:1 Then Jacob called for his sons and said: "Gather around so I can tell you what will happen to you in days to come. 2 "Assemble and listen, sons of Jacob; listen to your father Israel.

3 "Reuben, you are my firstborn, my might, the first sign of my strength, excelling in honor, excelling in power. 4 Turbulent as the waters, you will no longer excel, for you went up onto your father's bed, onto my couch and defiled it.

NIV

Jacob gives Joseph a portion of land but this is not his blessing as what we will see next is a blessing for each of the twelve sons of Israel given in the order of their birth. There is no doubt that Joseph is the favorite son of Jacob. He was special to him from his birth, making him a coat of many colors, treating him differently than all his other sons. But now it is time to speak prophetic words to each of his sons. Some of these blessings are good, some are not so good. The firstborn Reuben receives one of those not so good blessings. Jacob never forgot what Reuben did those many years ago. How can this be a man of God who holds this grievance for all these years? Is this just the words of Jacob or are these truly spoken as inspired by God? We know God does not keep a record of our wrongs, so we are left with the other conclusion that these are the words of a man. But he speaks them into the heart of his sons. There is something to be said for how we speak to our children. Those phrases we use as they are growing up count. If we tell our children, “You’re always getting into trouble” they may grow up always getting into trouble. If we tell them. “Why can’t you be smarter, or better in school?” they just might get worse. However, if we always tell our children how much we love them, and how proud we are of them, they will grow with confidence in our love. It does not mean we cannot discipline them, but it means how we do that, what words do we use. Our words are important. Here Jacob speaks about Reuben being his strength, excelling in honor and power, but no more because you wronged me. Reuben will carry those words for the rest of his life. Was it right of Jacob to speak those words? Just because it is recorded and considered scripture, God’s Holy Word, it does not mean what men did or say are from the hand or lips of God. They are recorded for us to learn about God, to learn about our relationship with him and for us to learn the ways of righteousness. Unforgiveness is not included in the ways of righteousness. Yet is seems Jacob has never forgiven Reuben and he now gives these words as his final ones to his firstborn born. Reuben might have expected the blessing of the firstborn, but he did not get it. That could be a lesson in itself. When we expect to be honored, there is something wrong. Expectation of honor certainly goes hand in hand with pride and flies in the face of humility. Although we are not told this is the attitude of Reuben, we can be sure as the firstborn in the time of history and in the culture they lived, this was the expected type of blessing. He should have received the double portion, but once again Jacob preferring Joseph over the rest of his sons, already gave that double portion to him. So Reuben is left with words of condemnation to live out the rest of his days. Will these words bear out? Will Reuben fall from his honor and power? If we follow the life of Reuben, we do see that when Moses blessed the each tribe before his death, he mentioned that Reuben should live and not die even though his numbers are few. His descendants were lessor in number then his brothers. Also we find that he was not listed in the genealogical order because of his defilement against his father. His descendants still received a portion of the land of Canaan, but Reuben has fallen from power and honor. Jacob’s words bore true, which again should show us the importance of our words. However could we also say this was the hand of God against Reuben for his act of sin? Then we would have to say God punishes us for each of our acts of sin. Then we are removed from honor and power as believers because of sin. This simple does not bear true to his grace and forgiveness of sin because of Jesus Christ. It is not the character of God to hold our sin against us. He satisfied his own need for justice, he does not cast that judgement upon us. But Jacob is not God, and therefore he cast his judgment on his firstborn. Let us learn never to judge another. Let us learn to use our words wisely, to control our tongue, if that is possible.