The Sons Of Jacob

The sons of Leah: Reuben (Jacob's firstborn), Simeon, Levi, Judah, Issachar, and Zebulun. The sons of Rachel: Joseph and Benjamin. The sons of Bilhah, Rachel's servant: Dan and Naphtali. The sons of Zilpah, Leah's servant: Gad and Asher. These were the sons of Jacob who were born to him in Paddan-aram. (Genesis 35:23-26 ESV)

These sons of Jacob, other than Joseph, were no exemplary characters. The Bible wrote these about the sons of Jacob:

1. Reuben slept with his father's concubine Bilhah (Genesis 35:21-22).
2. Simeon and Levi are violent characters who killed men in anger (Genesis 34:25-26) and tortured animals for fun (Genesis 49:5-6).
3. Judah looked for prostitutes after his wife passed away (Genesis 38:15-19).
4. Jacob's sons also sold Joseph to the Midianites (Genesis 37:28) and took part in looting Shechem (Genesis 34:27-29).

What can we learn from all these bad examples?

The first thing we learn is that God's will cannot be stopped by the sin of men. The success of Israel is never dependant on the goodness of Israel, but on the faithfulness of God.

For I am the LORD, I change not; therefore ye sons of Jacob are not consumed. (Malachi 3:6 KJV)

The next thing we can learn from these bad examples are there is no one is so bad that he cannot be saved. Hell is reserved for those who think that they are good, not for those who know that they are bad. Whosoever who know that they are bad and believed that Jesus can save them will be saved.

For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. (John 3:16 KJV)