Reuben

"By the brooks of Reuben great were the resolves of the heart. Why did you stay among the sheepfolds to hear the bleating of the flocks? By the brooks of Reuben great were the resolves [deliberations] of the heart" [JFA Revisada Imprensa Bíblica] (vss. 15-16). Starting with Reuben, we have a number of tribes that are rebuked for not having come to the battle of the Lord. They do not receive a good commendation. In the case of Reuben, it happened that they had good intentions, but they never put them into practice. There were "great resolves of the heart," but nothing came of it. I can imagine them at the "brooks" (little stream beds where they watered their flocks) discussing the need to go up and help their brothers in the battle. Their "deliberations" led to more deliberations, but at the end of the day, they never came to the battle. The problem with Reuben is that he lacked good sense. Peter speaks of the importance of adding "virtue" to our faith (2 Pet. 1:5). This is moral courage. We need moral courage to put into action what our faith lays hold of in the things of God, but this was lacking in Reuben.

The Reubenites let the feeding of their sheep discourage them from going to the battle. This speaks of letting the "cares" of this life keep us from serving the Lord (Luke 8:14). Could they not get someone to take care of their sheep for a few days while they showed up for the battle of the Lord? These things are tests. The question is: do we really want to please and serve the Lord?

The thing we should learn from this is that the Lord does not appreciate procrastination (putting things off until later). This was the problem of the Reubenites. Mr. Hayhoe used to say, "Some of us have a good wishbone, but a bad backbone." [See Note 2] We can have all kinds of good desires and intentions, but if we never put them into action, we will not obtain a reward. Therefore, if the Lord has put something in our hearts to do something for Him, we should rise up and do it, if we want His approval.