Gen 35:21 | KingComments | STEP | Israel – not: Jacob – journeys on. He continues in faith. It is also mentioned that he pitches his tent. He, the prince of God, dwells in a tent, while the city is reserved for him in the other world, that of faith. When he dwells in the land, Reuben commits a terrible sin (cf. ). The consequences of this have effects in later generations ( ; ). Reuben is the firstborn of Jacob, he is Jacob’s power. He will now be about nineteen years old and have longed for a woman. His desire was not wrong, but the way he satisfied it was. When Dinah is raped, we read that “Jacob” hears of it and keeps silent. The sequel shows that he is the passive father. When Reuben has committed his sin, we read that “Israel” hears of it. Again we do not read of a reaction. However, because there is talk of “Israel” he seems to face this sin in the right way and not as a passive father. Jacob has grown in his spiritual life and spiritual feeling in his getting along with God. After Benjamin is born – he is the only one born in the promised land

‏ Genesis 35:21

Scandal of Reuben

Israel – not: Jacob – journeys on. He continues in faith. It is also mentioned that he pitches his tent. He, the prince of God, dwells in a tent, while the city is reserved for him in the other world, that of faith.

When he dwells in the land, Reuben commits a terrible sin (cf. 1Cor 5:1). The consequences of this have effects in later generations (Gen 49:4; 1Chr 5:1). Reuben is the firstborn of Jacob, he is Jacob’s power. He will now be about nineteen years old and have longed for a woman. His desire was not wrong, but the way he satisfied it was.

When Dinah is raped, we read that “Jacob” hears of it and keeps silent. The sequel shows that he is the passive father. When Reuben has committed his sin, we read that “Israel” hears of it. Again we do not read of a reaction. However, because there is talk of “Israel” he seems to face this sin in the right way and not as a passive father. Jacob has grown in his spiritual life and spiritual feeling in his getting along with God.

After Benjamin is born – he is the only one born in the promised land - Jacob’s family is complete.