Jacob's Children: 1 Reuben

For unto us a Child is born, Unto us a Son is given;

Isaiah 9:6a

And when the LORD saw that Leah was hated, he opened her womb: but Rachel was barren.
So Leah conceived and bore a son, and she called his name Reuben; for she said, “The Lord has surely looked on my affliction. Now therefore, my husband will love me.”
[Genesis 29:31-32 NKJV]

Spring lambs near Kilberry, Knapdale, Argyll

With our minds on birth and new life these last few days, we feel led to begin a series of messages on Jacob's children. The significance of this family in God's plan for His people cannot be underestimated. These twelve sons of Jacob were the progenitors of the twelve tribes, which led to the creation of a nation, Israel, and is a step in the unfolding of the promise God made to Abraham.

Using the Bible principle that the name reveals the nature of the individual, we shall look at each son to get a glimpse of what The Lord might be trying to show us in this scriptural pattern.

Leah - her name means weary, grieved or offended - knows that her husband Jacob loves Rachel (a ewe) more than her, and hopes that with the birth of Reuben, Jacob will love her instead. This did not happen, but God was revealing a great truth in this; for Reuben means Behold a son!, and we can now see that the birth of God's son in us spiritually, comes when we are weary, heavy-laden, grieved even; certainly in a place of distress and despair, seeking love and reassurance. Christ can only be born in us when we cry out to Father God for help, a picture that the Bible asserts again and again.

It is when times are at their darkest, when we are at the end of ourselves and have no one else to turn to, that the dawning light of the Father arises in us, if only we let Him. Then, we too can say with confidence, "Behold, the Son of God is alive in me!"

---

"Alive In You" - Jesus Culture (featuring Kim Walker-Smith)

---

OSWALD CHAMBERS - RUN TODAY'S RACE
Friday 8th May 2020
When we say "Thy will be done," do we say it with a sigh?
If so, we have never realised that the character of God is holy love,
nothing can ever happen outside His purposeful will.

---