The Weight of Our Choices and the Mercy of God

Genesis 35:22-26

²²While Israel lived in that land, Reuben went and lay with Bilhah his father’s concubine. And Israel heard of it.

Now the sons of Jacob were twelve. ²³The sons of Leah: Reuben (Jacob’s firstborn), Simeon, Levi, Judah, Issachar, and Zebulun. ²⁴The sons of Rachel: Joseph and Benjamin. ²⁵The sons of Bilhah, Rachel’s servant: Dan and Naphtali. ²⁶The sons of Zilpah, Leah’s servant: Gad and Asher. These were the sons of Jacob who were born to him in Paddan-aram.

(ESV)

Thought:
Do we need more evidence of God choosing whomever he will in this book of Genesis? Isaac over Ishmael, Jacob over Esau, and now we shall see it happen again.

In the final chapters of Genesis, Jacob will speak prophetic blessings over all his sons. Particularly one son will receive a cryptic blessing pointing to his future headship over all his other brothers. For he will be the one from which the future king and even later on the Messiah will come from.

You see in the last chapter, Simeon and Levi through their actions removed any chance of them receiving this blessing, but the firstborn still remains, but if you don’t pay attention you will miss it. It is only one verse but it is the reason why the firstborn shall not receive this blessing but it will actually be the fourth-born son, Judah.

Reuben for reasons unknown chooses to sleep with his father’s concubine, his half-brother’s mother. Through this act of disrespect to his father and blatant act of rebellion against God, he forfeits his rights to be the one from whom the Messiah will come.

Just as so many others did, including King David himself, see how a momentary desire for lust has long-lasting effects on not just yourself but your children after you. Don’t let the briefness of this passage downplay its significance.

One of sin's greatest deceptions is making us think our actions today will have no effect on us or others in the future. But in truth small actions and even big actions that have reverbing effects far beyond what we realise. Now look, we believe in a sovereign God, we aren’t to think we have to perfect otherwise we will permanently screw up everything.

But we shouldn’t be unaware of sin’s effect, it hurts and damages more than we think. It wants you to write it off as harmless fun, as long as you think that, even when it isn’t, you will find excuses to convince yourself it is just harmless fun. My friends consider the impact of your actions and don’t consider them lightly. But also remember Reuben was still part of the people of God, he was not rejected by God. He was just unfit to be father to its future leaders.

Reflection:
As I go about my day, I need to remember that my choices—big or small—carry weight. Sin always promises harmlessness, but its effects reach further than I expect. Reuben’s story warns me not to treat sin lightly, yet it also reminds me that failure does not remove me from God’s family. Today I need to apply this by taking my actions seriously while resting in God’s mercy, knowing He can redeem even my missteps.

Prayer:
As I go about my day, I need to remember that my choices—big or small—carry weight. Sin always promises harmlessness, but its effects reach further than I expect. Reuben’s story warns me not to treat sin lightly, yet it also reminds me that failure does not remove me from God’s family. Today I need to apply this by taking my actions seriously while resting in God’s mercy, knowing He can redeem even my missteps.