1 Chronicles 5:1-26
Q.1. What were the consequences of Reuben’s sin against his father? To 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 (see 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 (see 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 (see 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 (see 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 (see 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 (see Num.5:26).