The genealogy of the tribes east of the Jordan: Reuben, Gad, and Manasseh is the subject for today's chapter.
Of course, there is that nice little note that begins the chapter reminding us that Reuben who was the firstborn, became the last. He lost his birthright to Joseph, who was the 11th out of 12 sons. Still, Joseph was the firstborn of Rachel, the wife whom Israel (Jacob) loved foremost.
"Reuben lost his birthright because he defiled his father's couch..." (5:1) That is... he committed incent by sleeping with his father, Jacob's, concubine, Bilhah. (Gen 35:22, 49:4) Bilhah was the mother of Reuben's half-brother's Dan and Naphtali.
Relationships seem to have been pretty messy back then. But, probably no more messy than they are today. Jealousy, greed, control issues, lust; we continue to run the whole gamut and let the whole gamut of vices run our lives and mess up our relationships.
It is not God's will that we should live in broken relationships. He sent His Son that through Him, we should be reconciled to God and one another eternally. May God help us to live reconciled in peace to Him and one another.
Of course, there is that nice little note that begins the chapter reminding us that Reuben who was the firstborn, became the last. He lost his birthright to Joseph, who was the 11th out of 12 sons. Still, Joseph was the firstborn of Rachel, the wife whom Israel (Jacob) loved foremost.
"Reuben lost his birthright because he defiled his father's couch..." (5:1) That is... he committed incent by sleeping with his father, Jacob's, concubine, Bilhah. (Gen 35:22, 49:4) Bilhah was the mother of Reuben's half-brother's Dan and Naphtali.
Relationships seem to have been pretty messy back then. But, probably no more messy than they are today. Jealousy, greed, control issues, lust; we continue to run the whole gamut and let the whole gamut of vices run our lives and mess up our relationships.
It is not God's will that we should live in broken relationships. He sent His Son that through Him, we should be reconciled to God and one another eternally. May God help us to live reconciled in peace to Him and one another.
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