His own brothers, driven by jealousy, threw him into a pit. But the story doesn't end there, does it? He's pulled out, not to be rescued and returned home, but to be sold.
And here’s the kicker: the price.
According to Legends of the Jews, as retold by Louis Ginzberg, the Midianites sold Joseph for a measly twenty pieces of silver. Just twenty! Can you believe it?
What could you even buy with twenty pieces of silver back then? Well, apparently, enough for a pair of shoes for each of his brothers.
This detail echoes through the ages, finding its way into the words of the prophet Amos: "Thus 'they sold the righteous for silver, and the needy for a pair of shoes.'" (Amos 2:6, 8:6). It's a gut-wrenching indictment of the brothers' actions, boiling down the immense betrayal to something as commonplace as footwear.
But why so little? Joseph was known for his beauty!
Ginzberg explains that the ordeal in the pit had taken its toll. Imagine the terror, the darkness, the venomous creatures… According to the legends, the snakes and scorpions left him looking… well, not his best. His complexion was gone, replaced by a sallow, sickly pallor.
So, the Midianites felt justified in paying less. They didn't see the inner strength, the potential for greatness, the divine spark within this young man. They just saw a damaged piece of merchandise.
Isn’t it a chilling thought? How easily appearances can deceive? How quickly we can undervalue someone based on superficial circumstances?
Joseph's story, even in this small detail, serves as a potent reminder. It urges us to look beyond the surface, to recognize the inherent worth in every individual, and to remember that sometimes, the most valuable things are hidden beneath layers of hardship and pain. His journey, which began with such a betrayal, would ultimately lead to redemption, not just for himself, but for his entire family. But that, as they say, is another story…