1 Chronicles 5:1-9: a reflection

1The sons of Reuben the firstborn of Israel (for he was the firstborn, but because he defiled his father’s couch, his birthright was given to the sons of Joseph the son of Israel; and the genealogy is not to be listed according to the birthright. 2For Judah prevailed above his brothers, and from him came the prince; but the birthright was Joseph’s)— 3the sons of Reuben the firstborn of Israel: Hanoch, Pallu, Hezron, and Carmi. 4The sons of Joel: Shemaiah his son, Gog his son, Shimei his son, 5Micah his son, Reaiah his son, Baal his son, 6and Beerah his son, whom Tilgath Pilneser king of Assyria carried away captive. He was prince of the Reubenites. 7His brothers by their families, when the genealogy of their generations was listed: the chief, Jeiel, and Zechariah, 8and Bela the son of Azaz, the son of Shema, the son of Joel, who lived in Aroer, even to Nebo and Baal Meon; 9and he lived eastward even to the entrance of the wilderness from the river Euphrates, because their livestock were multiplied in the land of Gilead.

In recounting the genealogy of Reuben, the text pauses to explain a loss. Reuben was the firstborn of Israel, and the birthright, with its privileges, was his by right. But because he defiled his father's bed, the birthright was taken from him and given to the sons of Joseph. Reuben's sin cost him his birthright; a privilege that was his by right was forfeited through his sin, and given to another. His sin had lasting consequences for what could have been his.

Notice the cost of Reuben's sin: he forfeited his birthright. The birthright was his by right, a great privilege and blessing; but his sin cost it. What could have been his, the honor and inheritance of the firstborn, was lost through his sin, given to another. His sin was not without lasting consequence; it forfeited a blessing and privilege that would otherwise have been his. Sin can cost us what might have been ours.

That sobering truth, that sin can forfeit blessings that might have been ours, is worth taking to heart. We can treat sin lightly, as though it had no lasting consequence; but Reuben's sin cost him his birthright, a privilege forfeited that would otherwise have been his. Sin can have lasting consequences, forfeiting blessings, privileges, and opportunities that might have been ours had we not sinned. Do not treat your sins lightly, as though they had no lasting cost; sin can forfeit what might have been yours, as Reuben's sin forfeited his birthright. This is not to make us despair, for God's grace is greater than our sin, and he can restore and redeem; but it is to sober us to the real cost of sin, which can forfeit blessings that might otherwise have been ours. Take sin seriously, mindful that it can cost you what might have been yours, as it cost Reuben his birthright; and guard against it, that you may not forfeit, through sin, the blessings God would give.

Lord, in recounting Reuben's genealogy, the text explains a loss: Reuben was the firstborn, and the birthright was his by right, but because he defiled his father's bed, it was taken from him and given to another. His sin cost him his birthright; a privilege that was his by right was forfeited through his sin. Show me the cost of Reuben's sin: he forfeited a blessing that could have been his. Sin was not without lasting consequence; it forfeited a privilege that would otherwise have been his. Take that sobering truth to my heart, that sin can forfeit blessings that might have been mine. I can treat sin lightly, as though it had no lasting consequence; but Reuben's sin cost him his birthright. Sin can have lasting consequences, forfeiting blessings, privileges, and opportunities that might have been mine had I not sinned. Keep me from treating my sins lightly, as though they had no lasting cost; sin can forfeit what might have been mine, as Reuben's forfeited his birthright. This need not make me despair, for your grace is greater than my sin, and you can restore and redeem; but let it sober me to the real cost of sin. Help me take sin seriously, mindful that it can cost me what might have been mine, and guard against it, Lord, that I may not forfeit, through sin, the blessings you would give.