In Genesis 35:22, we read a shocking and disturbing verse:
While Israel was living in that region, Reuben went in and slept with his father’s concubine Bilhah, and Israel heard of it.
Reuben, the firstborn son of Jacob, committed a heinous sin against his father and his father’s concubine. He violated the sanctity of marriage, the honor of his father, and the dignity of Bilhah. He acted in lust, rebellion, and disrespect. He brought shame and dishonor to himself and his family.
But what is even more shocking and disturbing is the silence that follows this verse. There is no mention of any rebuke, discipline, or repentance. There is no record of any confession, apology, or forgiveness. There is no indication of any sorrow, remorse, or restoration. It seems that Reuben’s sin was swept under the rug, ignored, and forgotten.
But was it really? Did Reuben’s sin have no consequences? Did it have no impact on his life and his relationship with God and others? Did it have no effect on his future and his destiny?
The answer is no. Reuben’s sin did not go unnoticed, unpunished, or unaccounted for. It did not lie sleeping, but it was awake and active, working its evil and destruction in his life and in his family. It did not remain hidden, but it was exposed and revealed, bringing its shame and disgrace to him and to his descendants.
The Bible tells us that Reuben’s sin had serious and lasting consequences. Here are some of them:
1. Reuben lost his birthright and his blessing. As the firstborn son, Reuben was entitled to a double portion of his father’s inheritance and a special position of leadership and authority among his brothers. But because of his sin, he forfeited these privileges and was replaced by Joseph and Judah. Jacob said to him:
“Reuben, you are my firstborn, my might, the first sign of my strength, excelling in honor, excelling in power. Turbulent as the waters, you will no longer excel, for you went up onto your father’s bed, onto my couch and defiled it.
2. Reuben lost his respect and his influence. As the eldest son, Reuben was expected to be a role model and a protector of his brothers. But because of his sin, he lost their respect and his influence. He failed to intervene when his brothers plotted to kill Joseph, and he could not persuade them to spare his life. He also failed to stand up for Benjamin when his brothers refused to take him to Egypt, and he could not convince Jacob to let him go. He was a weak and ineffective leader, who had no authority or credibility among his brothers.
3. Reuben lost his legacy and his destiny. As a son of Jacob, Reuben was part of God’s chosen people, who were called to be a blessing to all nations. But because of his sin, he lost his legacy and his destiny. His tribe was small and insignificant, and had no prominent role in Israel’s history. His tribe was the first to be taken into captivity by the Assyrians, and had no part in the restoration of Israel. His tribe had no judge, no prophet, no king, and no apostle among its members. His tribe was a fading and forgotten tribe, who had no inheritance or future in God’s kingdom.
Reuben’s story is a warning to us about the danger of unrepentance. Unrepentance is not only committing a sin, but also refusing to acknowledge it, confess it, and turn away from it. Unrepentance is not only offending God, but also rejecting His grace, mercy, and forgiveness. Unrepentance is not only hurting others, but also hardening our hearts, searing our consciences, and corrupting our minds.
Unrepentance is a serious offense to God, who is holy, righteous, and just. Unrepentance is also a deception, because sin does not lie sleeping, but it is awake and active, working its evil and destruction in our lives and in our families. Unrepentance is also a folly, because sin does not remain hidden, but it is exposed and revealed, bringing its shame and disgrace to us and to our descendants.
How can we avoid unrepentance, and how can we overcome it if we have fallen into it? The answer is to repent of our sins, and to believe in the gospel of Jesus Christ. To repent means to change our mind, our heart, and our direction. To repent means to agree with God about our sin, to feel sorrow for our sin, and to forsake our sin. To repent means to turn away from our sin, and to turn to God in faith and obedience.
To believe in the gospel means to trust in Jesus Christ, who died for our sins, and rose again from the dead. To believe in the gospel means to receive His forgiveness, His righteousness, and His life. To believe in the gospel means to follow His example, His teaching, and His commandments. To believe in the gospel means to love Him with all our being, and to love others as ourselves.
The only way to repent and to believe is to receive the grace and the power of the Holy Spirit, who convicts us of our sin, who leads us to the truth, and who enables us to live a new life. The Holy Spirit is the one who awakens us from our spiritual sleep, who opens our eyes to see our sin and our Savior, and who gives us a new heart and a new spirit.
Do you repent of your sins, and believe in the gospel? Do you confess your sins, and receive God’s forgiveness? Do you forsake your sins, and follow God’s will? Do you repent and believe daily, or do you have a sin that lies sleeping in your life?
Let us learn from Reuben’s story, and let us beware of the danger of unrepentance. Let us repent of our sins, and believe in the gospel. Let us seek God’s face, and experience His grace. Let us follow Jesus, who is the true and living God, and who is the only way to the Father. Let us say with the psalmist:
Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me. Do not cast me from your presence or take your Holy Spirit from me. Restore to me the joy of your salvation and grant me a willing spirit, to sustain me..
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