Withholding Vengeance - Genesis 32-35

 Genesis 35:19-22 (ESV)

19 So Rachel died, and she was buried on the way to Ephrath (that is, Bethlehem), 20 and Jacob set up a pillar over her tomb. It is the pillar of Rachel's tomb, which is there to this day. 21 Israel journeyed on and pitched his tent beyond the tower of Eder.

22 While 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.

Withholding Vengeance

Perhaps, before looking at the above text, we should read something Paul wrote the the Roman Christians (at the height of Nero’s persecution, by the way):

Romans 12:16-21 (ESV)

16 Live in harmony with one another. Do not be haughty, but associate with the lowly. Never be wise in your own sight. 17 Repay no one evil for evil, but give thought to do what is honorable in the sight of all. 18 If possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all. 19 Beloved, never avenge yourselves, but leave it to the wrath of God, for it is written, “Vengeance is mine, I will repay, says the Lord.” 20 To the contrary, “if your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink; for by so doing you will heap burning coals on his head.” 21 Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.

With those words as our backdrop, let’s visit our story with Reuben and his violation of his father’s concubine, Bilhah.   If you remember, when Rachel could not conceive she gave to Israel (Jacob), her husband, her maid-servant, Bilhah, to impregnate. Bilhah gave brith to Israel’s sons, Dan and Naphtali.   Upon Rachel’s death (Israel’s true love), to establish dominance and rule and authority in the family, Reuben took Bilhah and defiled her.   This was a custom in those days, to show dominance in the family.    As we read in the text, Israel “heard it.”  But, just like he “heard” about the rape of his daughter Dinah by Shechem the son of Hamor the Hivite, the prince of the land, Israel did nothing.   We could say that Israel was worthless for this and simply void of conviction.  Or, we could say that since he wrestled with God and his name was changed from Jacob (deceiver) to Israel (God prevails), that he was now following what Paul would write centuries later.  The mind of God is to not seek revenge.  Jacob would, remember Reuben’s transgression when he died, however.  Note how he phrased the blessing he said over Reuben at his death:

Genesis 49:3-4 (ESV)

3 “Reuben, you are my firstborn,

my might, and the firstfruits of my strength,

preeminent in dignity and preeminent in power.

4 Unstable as water, you shall not have preeminence,

because you went up to your father's bed;

then you defiled it—he went up to my couch!

Israel turned the revenge over to God.  He allowed God to take the vengeance.   We are not to be the ones who retaliate.   God is perfect in His judgement.  We are prejudice in judgment.