Genesis 49:3
Reuben, thou art my firstborn, my might, and the beginning of my strength, the excellency of dignity, and the excellency of power: Reuben, thou art my firstborn, my might, and the beginning of my strength, the excellency of dignity, and the excellency of power:
Jacob spoke these words on his deathbed when his children gathered around him for his blessing and last advice, after he had forgiven their unfilial conduct and wicked treatment of Joseph. He spoke under the Spirit of the Lord and by inspiration, with angels around him and God's grace shining upon him, laying open their past lives and their future history far into the future to reveal God's purposes. The words did not come from an unforgiving or resentful feeling, for Jacob loved his children to the last. He had mourned deeply over the loss of Joseph, had grieved over Simeon being retained in Egypt, and had anxiously desired his children's safe return. His natural paternal affection would have led him to utter only love and tenderness, but God by the spirit of prophecy elevated his mind above natural affection and feeling to utter painful truth.
The verse declares Reuben to be Jacob's firstborn, his might and the beginning of his strength, holding by birthright the excellency of dignity and the excellency of power with its privileges, honors and authority. That dignity belonged to the eldest son as the first sign of his father's strength. Although Reuben had no hand in selling Joseph, he had previously grievously sinned in a corrupt course that transgressed the law of God. His instability as water meant he would not excel.
Because of that crime and grievous sin Reuben became unworthy and lost the privileges and honors of the birthright and did not receive them. The forfeited birthright was divided, with the priesthood going to Levi, the kingdom and Messianic promise to Judah, and the double portion to Joseph. Reuben's tribe never became prominent and was among the first carried into captivity. The prophecy shows that God would by no means sanction cruelty or wickedness, presenting the light in which God viewed deeds of violence and that God would visit them for their sins, while the prophetic words in regard to the other sons were not as gloomy as those to Simeon and Levi.