Genesis 49:3Meaning & Commentary from the Church Fathers

Then, as if inscribed on a solid pillar, he exposes his impulsive misdeeds, illustrating that natural advantages are futile without the enhancement of moral character, for it is only the attributes of the will that bring about commendation or censure. "The pinnacle," he continues, "of honor and the summit of authority." Yet, he reminds Reuben that through his own folly, he has forfeited the dignity conferred upon him by nature.

However, the community, having been graciously brought to this point by God, violated their sacred bond by engaging in unholy alliances with their husband’s sons, pursuing illicit relationships and losing their fruitful connection with their lawful spouse, instead choosing to sow seeds of false doctrine and teachings. Ignoring true devotion to God, they turned to human traditions and paid no heed to divine instruction, acting according to their own desires. Thus, the prophet Isaiah lamented, ‘How the faithful city has become a harlot! Righteousness was in her, but now murderers. Your silver is become dross, your wine mixed with water’ (Isaiah 1:21-22). In that city, the truth, which is God, once resided, but it now welcomes murderers, adulterers, and exploiters, giving them unproven silver and watering down their wine. Indeed, those who lead her to favor human doctrines and traditions do so with impure teachings, corrupting themselves and mixing their doctrine with the worst heresies. This could be understood as symbolizing their wine being diluted with water. It angered the Almighty that Jerusalem was likened to an unfaithful city; listen to the words of the prophet Jeremiah: ‘Lift up your eyes to the heights and see where you have not committed fornication? You sat by the wayside like an Arab in the wilderness and defiled the land through your harlotries and wickedness. Therefore, the rains were withheld, and you have had the brow of a harlot, casting away your shame. Will you not cry to me, ‘My Father, the guide of my youth’?’ (Jeremiah 3:2-4). He further states, ‘If a husband divorces his wife and she leaves him to marry another man, can she return to him? Would not that land be greatly defiled? Yet you have played the harlot with many lovers, and yet you would return to me, says the Lord’ (Jeremiah 3:1). Such betrayal was vividly illustrated by our Savior when the Pharisees, intent on accusation, approached Him, questioning, ‘Why do Your disciples transgress the tradition of the elders? They do not wash their hands before eating bread.’ Christ responded, ‘And why do you break the commandment of God for the sake of your tradition? For God commanded, "Honor your father and mother," and "Anyone who curses their father or mother is to be put to death." But you say that if anyone declares, "What might have been used to help their father or mother is devoted to God," they are not to honor their father or mother. Thus, you nullify the word of God for the sake of your tradition’ (Matthew 15:2-6; cf. Mark 7:11; Exodus 20:12). Notice how they could be easily rebuked for straying from the path established by the Lawgiver? This is how the Jewish community turned away. In contrast, the pure and unblemished bride, the Church, stands ready to maintain true and faithful fidelity to Christ, proclaiming, ‘My beloved is mine, and I am his’ (Song of Songs 2:16). Therefore, we can liken the Jewish community, represented by Jacob's concubine Bilhah, to Reuben, the firstborn, who dishonored her. Notably, Bilhah means ‘weathered’ and Reuben signifies ‘the son of defilement.’ The Jewish assembly became corrupt, while a new and believing nation arose, to which David joyfully proclaimed, ‘The generation to come shall praise the Lord’ (Psalm 101:19). For ‘if anyone is in Christ, they are a new creation,’ as the Scriptures affirm (2 Cor. 5:17; Gal. 6:15). Although Israel is perceived as filthy and unclean for not being washed in Christ, He even laid hands on those seeking purification. As the holy prophets have expressed, ‘Can the Ethiopian change his skin, or a leopard its spots?’ (Jeremiah 13:23). And to the city of Jerusalem, He says as if speaking to a wife, ‘Even if you wash yourself with soap and use an abundance of lye, your guilt remains before me, declares the Lord’ (Jeremiah 2:22). Jacob proclaimed, ‘Reuben, my firstborn, you are my might and the beginning of my strength.’ For it was through the firstborn and the people liberated from Egypt that the Lord’s power was greatly displayed. Thus, Egypt faced many unique plagues: the waters turned to blood, swarms of gnats, plagues of frogs, hailstorms, the death of the firstborn, and the Israelites passing through the sea as if on dry ground. Hence, Reuben is deemed ‘the strength of God.’ Yet he was described as ‘the pinnacle of dignity and might,’ symbolizing a fierce and unyielding force. Indeed, the Jewish people are characterized by their rebelliousness and moral laxity, meriting the charge, ‘You stiff-necked people! Uncircumcised in heart and ears! You are always opposing the Holy Spirit’ (Acts 7:51). Even our Lord noted, ‘Which of the prophets did your fathers not persecute? And they killed those who announced beforehand the coming of the Righteous One. Thus you are just like your ancestors' (Acts 7:52; Matthew 23:32).

Yet, the prophet hints at future occurrences with the words, "Gather yourselves together, ye sons of Jacob, that I may declare unto you what shall happen unto you in the last days." Thus, why should anyone claim that James speaks solely of past events? A true prophet articulates prophetic visions of what is yet to unfold, rather than recounting historical happenings perceived through a retrospective lens.

Therefore, let us validate the prophetic nature of his words. For he declares, “Reuben, thou art my firstborn, my strength, and the beginning of my children.” Some, interpreting this allegorically, connect it to the Savior as if the Father were addressing His Son directly. However, this interpretation may confuse those who read it, as those who might assume that the descriptors “hard to bear and hard-willed” refer to the Savior would then also need to attribute the following words to Him as well, though this is incorrect. Reuben was Jacob's firstborn son, and likewise, Israel is called God’s firstborn nation, adopted under the Law. The prophet contrasts Reuben's actions with what the first nation would experience in the future.

Jacob’s statement to Reuben can be understood as direct admonishment: “Harsh in temper, and firm in willfulness,” revealing Jacob's foresight into the rebellious nature among Reuben's descendants. In a similar manner, Moses also cautioned, “Ye are a hard-hearted people; be careful of yourselves, lest the Lord should become angry and destroy you” (Exodus 33:5). Jacob further expressed, “Proud as water, let it not boil,” denoting the disgrace of their lineage and their contempt for the law and God’s Word.

When Jacob declares, “For thou hast ascended upon thy father’s bed, then hast thou defiled it,” he metaphorically refers to the sanctity of Christ’s body as a holy bed, a place where the righteous rest and are redeemed. Yet, the lawless individuals raised their hands against Him, mocked Him with vinegar, struck Him on the head, scourged His back, spat upon His face, slapped Him, and drove nails into His hands (Matt. 27:26-35). These actions were perpetrated by the unfaithful and wicked, including priests, scribes, and all in authority among the people. Therefore, the blessed prophet did not remain silent about their misdeeds, seeking neither to condone their wickedness nor participate in their conspiracy, but rather distanced himself from their evil actions.