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The Spiritual Characteristics of

Twelve Tribes of Israel

Reuben: "Behold, A Son!"

By Robert Burgess

Foreword

The following notes are from a study in a series on the Twelve Tribes of Israel; This was originally done in 1995.. A more expanded version of this study, as well as the remainder of the articles in this series will follow shortly (As time permits). This study is based on the Prophetic Blessings of Jacob over his twelve Sons (Gen 49:etc.), and Moses' Prophetic Blessing upon the twelve Tribes of Israel (Dt 33).

Jacob and his Twelve sons are a type of the "Tree of Life" bearing Twelve manner of Fruit. We must realize that these sons of Jacob each represent a mini-type of Christ, who is both the "True vine" and the "Branch" man (See Jn 15:1 & Zech 3:8). The twelve Apostles of the lamb are also in view, for they are "The Branches." Every born again believer has a position also as one of the branches of the tree of life, and is therefore an heir to the blessings and promises made concerning him as one of the "Sons of Jacob, the Israel of God (Gal 6:16)." When we are born again, we are a Spiritual Son of Abraham; and as such, there are certain "Spiritual Characteristics" of the Twelve Tribes that we bear. It is our hope that the readers might discover more about their gifts, callings, and placement as Spiritual "Sons of Jacob," as they study these articles.

   At the outset, let us consider that the twelve sons of Jacob were not all born of the same mother, in other words, all of them were really half brothers to some of the others.  Although they all had the same Father, they had different mothers; this caused that some of the various traits were much different, and not always the most beneficial in the overall.  Some of the Sons were born of concubines, and not to the married wives of Jacob at all.  We will look more closely into these kinds of relationships as the study progresses.  The only two sons who were born of Rachel (or, a Ewe-Sheep), Jacob’s beloved wife, were Joseph and Benjamin; As we pursue this study we will find out many things which lead us to realize that there are many "Birthings" of certain of these characteristics which shall take place in our personal lives at different points along the "Way" that leadeth unto Life.

   "And Jacob called unto his sons, and said, Gather yourselves together, that I may tell you that which shall befall you in the last days.  Gather yourselves together, and hear, ye sons of Jacob; and hearken unto Israel your father (Gen 49:1-3)."
 

   These were the blessings of Jacob upon his twelve Sons; notice carefully that these were "Prophetic Blessings" for the "Last Days;"  In other words, these blessings would be realized in the various characteristics which would surface among the "Sons of Israel" during the Last days, also known as  the "Church Age."  Since Christ was manifested and crucified in the "Middle of the (Prophetic) Week,"  everything which takes place subsequent to that time is called the "Last Days."

   "Reuben, thou art my firstborn, my might, and the beginning of my strength, the excellency of dignity, and the excellency of power:  Unstable as water, thou shalt not excel; because thou wentest up to thy father's bed; then defiledst thou it: he went up to my couch (Gen 49:3-4)."
 

A Child is Born

Reuben:

Strong's #  7205. Re'uwben, reh-oo-bane'; from the imper. of H7200 and H1121; see ye a son; Reuben, a son of Jacob:--  "Behold, a Son."

   I am sure that when Reuben was born Jacob must have had some great fatherly expectations of what this little one would grow up to be;  We who have Fathered (or Mothered) children can relate to this.  It was the custom in Israel, and was a part of the culture, to give a double portion inheritance to the firstborn Son of the family; along with this greater portion, there was given the Authority to become the head of the family at the death of the Patriarch (Father).  There were some good reasons behind this; If, for instance, one of the family fell into poverty and became sold into slavery, the firstborn Son (Who should be the most wealthy of the Sons, having been given twice as much possessions at the death of the Patriarch) would then act as a "Kinsman Redeemer" and buy back his Brother (or Sister) from the slave owner.  This was a big responsibility for anyone, and because of this: "Unto whomsoever MUCH is given, of him shall be MUCH required: and to whom men have committed MUCH, of him they will ask the MORE (Luke 12:48)."

 My firstborn:  The beginning of something is not always indicative of how things will eventually turn out to be..

"Better is the end of a thing than the beginning thereof: and the patient in spirit is better than the proud in spirit (Eccl 7:8)."

Spiritual Concubines

 As most of us know, Reuben eventually lost his birthright blessings as the "Firstborn" because of an ungodly act; he went in to his Father’s concubine and laid with her sexually (See Gen 35:22).  This indicates a condition that often occurs when someone enters into an ungodly intimate relationship with one of the Churches (a Denominational "Mother," or, Woman), or, concubines of the Spirit of God.

   Does God have any "Spiritual Concubines" in the religious system?  From all indications, He does..  There are passages of Scripture that seem to bear this out very strongly; For instance:

"For it is written, that Abraham had two sons, the one by a bondmaid, the other by a freewoman.   But he who was of the bondwoman was born after the flesh; but he of the freewoman was by promise.   Which things are an allegory: for these are the two covenants; the one from the mount Sinai, which gendereth to bondage, which is Agar.   For this Agar is mount Sinai in Arabia, and answereth to Jerusalem which now is, and is in bondage with her children.   But Jerusalem which is above is free, which is the mother of us all.   For it is written, Rejoice, thou barren that bearest not; break forth and cry, thou that travailest not: for the desolate hath many more children than she which hath an husband.  Now we, brethren, as Isaac was, are the children of promise.  But as then he that was born after the flesh persecuted him that was born after the Spirit, even so it is now (Gal 4:22-29)."

   In the above passage, Abraham is shown as a type of God the Father, who had two "Sons;"  One of the legalistic System of the Jews (Hagar), and the other of the True (Legitimate) Church, called "Jerusalem which is Above (Sarah)."  In this we can see that the firstborn son of Abraham (Ishmael) had the right Father in life, but the wrong Mother.  The bond-slave of Sarah (Hagar) was not legally married to Abraham, and He was not bound to her as a husband, by a valid Covenant Relationship (Marriage: to Merge, or become ONE). 

As we follow this allegory out, it points very strongly to the fact that there are some who are truly born of God’s Spirit, but who have the wrong "Mother" or, are of an "Earthy, Nominal Church System."  There are many Concubines of our heavenly "Solomon" but there is only ONE BRIDE who is called the "Choice one:"

"There are threescore queens, and fourscore concubines, and virgins without number.   My dove, my undefiled is but ONE; she is the only one of her mother (The Early Church), she is the choice one of her that bare her. The daughters saw her, and blessed her; yea, the queens and the concubines, and they praised her (Song 6:8-9)."

  Also in view is that fact that a person who is born-again must "Follow on to know the Lord (See Hos 6:3)" if they are to escape the "Unstable as Water" conditions that surround such an one.  These are not yet Spiritual, but basically Soulish; And as such they need desperately to realize the hazards of lingering too long in the outer court, the "Born ~ again Realm."  

If we refuse to go on unto perfection, and follow through in "Being Born Again (In a continual "Series" of Spiritual Birthings)," we will fall into condemnation of the Father, and lose our original birthright as did Reuben.  "Being  born again (a Continual Process is in view), not of corruptible seed, but of incorruptible, by the word of God, which liveth and abideth for ever (1 Pet 1:23)."   

Notice how James deals with this Unstable Nature of Reuben, called the "Double-Minded man;"   "But let him ask in faith, nothing wavering. For he that wavereth is like a wave of the sea driven with the wind and tossed.  For let not that man THINK that he shall receive ANY THING of the Lord.  A double minded man is UNSTABLE (A REUBENITE) in all his ways (James 1:6-8)."
 

"Let Reuben live, and not die; and let not his men be few (Deu 33:6)."

   This passage is from the blessings of Moses upon the Sons of Jacob; It shows that there will always be "Not a few" of these Reubenites around in the Kingdom of God.  They are destined to be a "Servant Company" in the Kingdom, to do those things which pertain to earthly labors; They will not be entitled to sit on the throne of Judgment with the rest of the saints who have overcome. There will always be those who will despise their birthrights and do things which shall eventually lead to their loss of inheritance; but he said "Let Reuben LIVE, and not DIE."  This statement could be taken several different ways, and all of them be perfectly accurate from a Scriptural standpoint.

Let Him Live:

  Let him have Eternal Life, and a place at the Father’s table with the rest of the family forever, but not as a ruler, or as an Overcomer, or one who has anything special.   This one is like the prodigal Son, who, as Esau, sold his Birthright so to speak, for a night on the town, for an occasion of the Flesh.  But don’t blot his name out of the Family records (The Book of Life), let him LIVE!!  But only, let him be as a "Servant in the Father’s House (See Luke 15:17-32)."

Robert Burgess
3/30/2000
 
 

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