1 Chronicles 5:1-26
Q.1. What were the consequences of Reuben’s sin against his father? For whom were the birthright … and the blessing reserved? – (1 Chr.5:1-10)
Reuben’s sin of incest with his father’s wife, Bilhah (Rachel’s maid), cost him the double portion of inheritance (Dt.21:17 c.f. Gen.49:3-4; 35:22). This firstborn inheritance was transferred to Joseph, firstborn son of Jacob’s favourite wife, Rachel, through his sons Ephraim and Manasseh (Gen. 49:22-26 c.f. 29:31-35; 48:15-22). The blessings forfeited by Reuben … and also the bloodthirsty second and third sons, Simeon, and Levi, were passed on to Judah, through whom the Messiah, the Lord Jesus, was born through King David’s line (Num.5:2 c.f. Gen.49:9-10). Reuben’s descendants spread east of the Jordan River toward the Euphrates River – because their cattle had increased in the land of Gilead (Num.5:9).
Q.2. What blessing was extended to the descendants of Gad, Reuben, and Manasseh? Why were they exiled? – (1 Chr.5:11-26)
It might be concluded that the descendants of Reuben were punished for the sins of their forefather, Reuben (c.f. Ezk.18:1-4). However, history reveals that Gad, Reuben, and the half tribe of Manasseh became powerful and were blessed by God – … the Hagrites and all who were with them were given into their hands; for they cried out to God in the battle, and He answered their prayers because they trusted in Him (Num.5:20 c.f. Num.5:18-22). However, their decision to settle far from Jerusalem left them exposed to evil, and – they acted treacherously against the God of their fathers and played the harlot after the gods of the land whom God had destroyed before them (Num.5:25). God raised up the king of Assyria, who carried them away into exile (Num.5:26).