October 20, 2025

The writer of the Chronicles, by Jewish tradition, was Ezra. He didn’t play any games or hold back the truth when accounting for the tribes of Israel. Ruben, Israel’s firstborn, by tradition would have been the matriarch. Remember, God changed Jacob’s name to Israel. Here is where things get interesting. Ruben slept with his father’s concubine, which exempted him from the most powerful position in the family. Because of this transgression, Jacob, before he died, handed the birthright to Joseph’s sons, but gave the position of power to Judah. Can you imagine the burn those brothers felt when they were all passed over and the birthright given to Joseph, whom they had sold into slavery?

To break this down into terms for today, we can see that during the lifetime of this family, God made sure justice was served. Joseph may have forgiven his brothers because his circumstances improved after he was imprisoned, but God remembered all the trouble they caused because of their anger about the dream Joseph shared with them about the entire family bowing down to him. Not only did they end up bowing to him, but they also lost their position and birthright because of what they did to him. If things are tough for you right now, and you have been doing things in a godly way, you can expect that God hasn’t forgotten and will reward you for your faithfulness. Wait for it; it will surely come.

Now the sons of Reuben the firstborn of Israel, (for he was the firstborn; but, forasmuch as he defiled his father's bed, his birthright was given unto the sons of Joseph the son of Israel: and the genealogy is not to be reckoned after the birthright. 1 Chronicles 5:1