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Joseph sold by his brothers

Genesis 37:28

So when the Midianite merchants came by, his brothers pulled Joseph up out of the cistern and sold him for twenty shekels[b] of silver to the Ishmaelites, who took him to Egypt.

Full bible text

Genesis 37 verse 23 to 28
23 So when Joseph came to his brothers, they stripped him of his robe - the ornate robe he was wearing - 
24 and they took him and threw him into the cistern. The cistern was empty; there was no water in it.
25 As they sat down to eat their meal, they looked up and saw a caravan of Ishmaelites coming from Gilead. Their camels were loaded with spices, balm and myrrh, and they were on their way to take them down to Egypt.
26 Judah said to his brothers: “What will we gain if we kill our brother and cover up his blood?
27 Come, let’s sell him to the Ishmaelites and not lay our hands on him; after all, he is our brother, our own flesh and blood". His brothers agreed.
28 So when the Midianite merchants came by, his brothers pulled Joseph up out of the cistern and sold him for twenty shekels of silver to the Ishmaelites, who took him to Egypt.

About this painting

Joseph is one of the twelve sons of Jacob. His father loves him more than his other sons, because Joseph has been born to him in his old age, and he is a son of his beloved wife Rachel. 

Joseph, 17 years old then, is sent from Hebron to his brothers, who are dwelling with their flocks near Shechem, in the pastures of Dothan. When they see Joseph coming toward them, the brothers plot to kill him.
They are jealous and bitter towards him because of his dreams and position. Joseph had dreamed about both his parents and his brothers bowing to him.
When Joseph arrives, they strip him of his ornate robe, throw him into a cistern and sell him to Ishmaelite merchants who happen to come by. The price that is paid for him is the price for a slave; twenty shekels of silver.
Joseph is taken to Egypt.
 
Some parallels with the life of Jesus:
He too was the beloved Son of the Father.
Genesis 37 verse 3, compared with John 3 verse 16.

The Father sent Him to his brothers and He was willing to go.
Genesis 37 verse 13, compared with Psalms 40 verse 8 and 9. John 1 verse 11.
Matthew 15 verse 24. Philippians 2 verse 5 to 7.

He testified about His future position of power, but was rejected and hated.
Genesis 37 verse 5, compared with Daniel 7 verse 13 and 14.
John 15 verse 23 to 25.
John 3 verse 14 to 22.

His brothers/people plotted to kill Him.
Genesis 37 verse 18 to 20, Matthew 12 verse 14.
Luke 19 verse 47.
Luke 20 verse 13 and 14.

Judah/Judas sold Him for money.
Genesis 37 verse 28, compared to Matthew 26 verse 14 and 15.

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