Hebraic Heritage Radio Podcasts

Reuben was entitled to the position of king, priest and firstborn. He lost his place as a Melchizedek Priest because of sexual sin when he laid with his father’s concubine (Gen 35:22). The Melchizedek Priesthood role was taken away from him: Reuben, you are my firstborn, my might, and the beginning of my strength, the excellency of dignity, and the excellency of power: Unstable as water, you shall not excel; because you went up to thy father's bed; then you defiled it: he went up to my couch. Genesis 49: 3-4 We also see how Reuben failed in his responsibility as a Melchizedek priest where he conspires to throw his brother Joseph in a pit: Come now therefore, and let us slay him, and cast him into some pit, and we will say, Some evil beast hath devoured him: and we shall see what will become of his dreams. And Reuben said unto them, Shed no blood, but cast him into this pit that is in the wilderness, and lay no hand upon him; that he might rid him out of their hands, to deliver him to his father again. G