Today's Favorite Verse: 1 Chronicles 5:1

Today's Favorite Verse: 1 Chronicles 5:1
"Now the sons of Reuben the firstborn of Israel, (for he was the firstborn; but, forasmuch as he defiled his father's bed, his birthright was given unto the sons of Joseph the son of Israel: and the genealogy is not to be reckoned after the birthright."

I didn't understand what that last part meant "and the genealogy is not to be reckoned after the birthright." I had to go digging for answers. I was reminded that the birthright was the first son of the father. For Israel that was Reuben. Reuben lost his birthright for his transgression that offended the Lord and his father. For that the birthright went to Israel's son Joseph the first born of his second wife. According to John Taylor in "The Order and Duties of the Priesthood, Etc." the "birthright was taken from him and given to the sons of Joseph; and the Priesthood was reckoned after that lineage."

So I gather that the priesthood keys were passed onto Joseph and his sons. When I think of what Reuben lost, it wasn't just a double inheritance of his father, and to rule over the family. He lost the priesthood keys. That makes it more understandable to me why his transgression lead to the loss of his birthright, he was no longer worthy to hold the priesthood.


Day 918