Even though Reuben is not as well known as other biblical figures, he played a significant role in the life of his younger brother, Joseph.
Reuben is often an overlooked figure in the Bible. When the name “Reuben” is mentioned, not many people are familiar with who he is or what role he played in the Bible. Even though Reuben is not as well known as other biblical figures, he played a significant role in the life of his younger brother, Joseph. Reuben was the oldest son of Jacob and Leah. He was the older brother of Simeon, Levi, Judah, Dan, Naphtali, Gad, Asher, Issachar, Zebulun, Joseph, and Benjamin. (Joseph and Benjamin were both different from their other ten brothers because they were born to Jacob and Rachel, his favorite wife.)
These twelve brothers make up the Twelve Tribes of Israel, so perhaps it's important that we understand the role each brother plays not only in history but in our present-day faith:
The Firstborn
The Hebrew name of Reuben (“re’u bên/ראו בן” or “re’u/ראו”) means “Behold, a son” (“Origin of Ruben,” Charlie Names, 2022). Even though Reuben was Jacob’s firstborn, his favorite children were always Joseph and Benjamin because they were born from Rachel rather than Leah. Jacob always loved Rachel more than he loved Leah, which caused Leah much grief, sadness, and pain. In addition to Leah’s grief, the other ten sons were extremely jealous of Joseph and despised him in their hearts. As the eldest brother of the twelve, it was Reuben’s responsibility to take care of his younger siblings. During the infamous act of Jacob giving his favorite son, Joseph, an elaborate, beautifully decorated robe, Joseph tells his brothers about his dream of them bowing down before him, which caused his brothers to hate him even more (Genesis 37:1-11).
Out of hatred, anger, and jealousy, Joseph’s brother planned to murder him. When they saw Joseph approaching, they said, “‘Here comes that dreamer!’ they said to each other.’ Come now, let’s kill him and throw him into one of these cisterns and say that a ferocious animal devoured him. Then we’ll see what comes of his dreams’” (Genesis 37:19-20). These evil words and thoughts had circulated among all of Joseph’s brothers except for one brother—Reuben. When Reuben had heard his brother’s words, Reuben tried to save Joseph from their hands (Genesis 37:21a). In Genesis 37:22b-22, Reuben says, “‘Let’s not take his life,’ he said. ‘Don’t shed any blood. Throw him into this cistern here in the wilderness, but don’t lay a hand on him.’ Reuben said this to rescue him from them and take him back to his father.”
Reuben had in mind that he would return back to the cistern and take Joseph back to Jacob for protection from the rest of the brothers. Change of plans occurred when the other brothers sold Joseph to the Ishmaelites for twenty shekels of silver while Reuben was away. Thus, the Ishmaelites took Joseph to Egypt as a slave (Genesis 37:28). When Reuben returned and found Joseph gone from the bottom of the cistern, he tore his robe and said, “The boy isn’t there! Where can I turn now?” (Genesis 37:30). As a ploy to deceive Jacob, the brothers took Joseph’s robe, slaughtered a goat, and dipped the robe in the blood (Genesis 37:31). After they had done this, they took the bloodied robe to their father and asked him to examine it (Genesis 37:32). When Jacob took the robe in trembling hands, he declared, “It is my son’s robe! Some ferocious animal has devoured him. Joseph has surely been torn to pieces” (Genesis 37:33). Jacob went into a deep period of mourning for Joseph and refused to be comforted (Genesis 37:34-35). While Jacob believed the lie that Joseph was dead, Joseph was actually headed to Egypt where he was sold to Potiphar (Genesis 37:36).
From this account, we learn that Reuben did indeed care about Joseph even though their other brothers wanted to kill him out of jealousy. It would have been easy to follow suit and also hate Joseph in his heart, but Reuben chose to love his brother rather than hate him.
The Great Sin of Reuben
Even though Reuben chose to do the right thing to protect his brother, it does not mean he was perfect. Reuben messed up in many ways throughout the course of his life. Similarly, we see this theme throughout the Bible. As modern-day Christians, we should not idolize biblical figures because they have all fallen short of God’s glory just like we have (Romans 3:23). Reuben’s great fall was caused by his sin of sleeping with his father’s concubine, Bilhah (Genesis 35:22). The act of Reuben sleeping with his father’s concubine was more than a lustful act because Reuben was also challenging and testing his father’s authority. In other words, Reuben wanted to have his father’s power, prestige, and authority.
Due to Reuben’s great sin and disobedience, Jacob took away the firstborn birthright from Reuben. Jacob speaks these bold words to Reuben, “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” (Genesis 49:3-4). Over time, due to Reuben’s sin, the tribe of Reuben lost its place within Israel. The tribe of Reuben is not mentioned again until Revelation 7:5 outside of Reuben’s four sons, Hanoch, Pallu, Hezron, and Carmi. Reuben’s sin was so great that it stretches over the course of history. In addition to having a negative connotation to Reuben’s name, Jesus’ lineage is traced through Judah rather than Reuben.
What We Can Learn from Reuben
In our modern-day Christian walk, there is much we can learn from Reuben’s life. On the positive side, Reuben demonstrates to us the importance of being loyal to our siblings. Even though Reuben did not completely protect his brother from being sold into slavery, he did protect his brother from being murdered. As I have previously mentioned, it would have been extremely easy for Reuben to follow along with his brothers and kill Joseph; however, Reuben chose to do the right thing and he intervened. In the same way, we should speak up and intervene if we see someone doing something wrong.
We can also learn from Reuben’s mistake the importance of obeying our parents. Rather than profaning his father’s name by sleeping with his concubine, Reuben should have been a faithful son and chose to honor his father by abstaining from sexual relations with his father’s concubine. The Bible stresses the importance of honoring our parents throughout the Bible (Exodus 20:12; Ephesians 6:2). If Reuben would have honored Jacob and obeyed him, then he would have not lost his firstborn right. Since Reuben did defile his father by sleeping with his concubine, Reuben lost his firstborn right and his tribe lost its power and dignity.
Reuben is often overlooked in the Bible; however, there is much we can learn from his life. As Christians, we need to strive to follow God’s instructions in the Bible and strive to walk in accordance with the Holy Spirit. As we follow God and become more receptive to the Holy Spirit, the more we will be able to glorify God in our actions, behaviors, and hearts. While Reuben was a good example of being loyal and faithful to our siblings, he also teaches us about the dangers of what happens if we do not follow the Lord’s commands and defile the honor of our parents. In each new day, we need to strive to glorify God in everything we do, and this includes honoring our friends, family, and God Himself.
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