September 15, 2022
Daily Devotion:
"Glorious Inheritance…"
1 Chronicles 5:1
New International Version
5 The sons of Reuben the firstborn of Israel (he was the firstborn, but when he defiled his father’s marriage bed, his rights as firstborn were given to the sons of Joseph son of Israel; so he could not be listed in the genealogical record in accordance with his birthright,
As we bring the Old Testament to a close in this chronological arrangement of the Scriptures, what might seem to be a throwaway parenthetical thought is the perfect summary of the relationship between Ancient Israel and God and a wonderful bridge to the wider family of God soon to emerge. As Jacob's firstborn son, Reuben stood to inherit the lion's share of Israel's estate. Yet because Reuben had acted wickedly toward his father, his inheritance was given to the two sons of Joseph. The obvious analogy is striking. Like Reuben himself, the nation of Israel had played the harlot with God, defiling the “marriage" covenant by which they should have fully inherited the blessings God had intended for them. Their exclusive inheritance would now be shared with the spiritual offspring of another “Joseph" soon to come. Just as Reuben was not completely deprived of his inheritance in the land of promise, so too the Jews would not be wholly robbed of their spiritual inheritance In Christ. Yet their loss of an exclusive relationship with God would be the whole world's gain, to be shared alike with God's firstborn nation. Are we children of God through Christ Jesus? If so, the glorious inheritance from the Father is ours for the taking. He who has promised is faithful! But Will we be “listed in the genealogical record in accordance with [our] birth-right," or will we act so wickedly in breach of our marriage vows that we forfeit our inheritance? Whatever our particular understanding of eternal security, Reuben represents a clarion call to purity and faithfulness among the children of God.
The sobering question is: Am I living worthily of the glorious inheritance I have been promised?
