The math is
simple. Joseph dreams to rule over us. If we kill him, he can’t rule over us.
The logic works. Reuben, the oldest—probably knowing that he would be held
accountable—tempers their anger with just a beating and tossing him into a pit.
Judah, though, was more entrepreneurial, recognizing that if they sold him,
they’d all profit.
Of course,
to cover up the sale, they faked his death and an attack by wolves. Oh, I
should mention that Judah came up with this idea without consulting Reuben.
Reuben came back and freaked at finding Joseph gone. Then they went through CSI
levels of detail, tearing up the coat and spreading goat’s blood over it to
make it look convincing. Did I mention the increasing visceral nature of these
stories? Jacob, naturally, is heartbroken over the seeming death of his
favorite by wolves.
I actually
love this story. I know, it sounds horrible to love a story of a brother (especially
the youngest) getting beat up and sold into slavery. But I love it because it
is the essence of sibling relationships, especially brothers. What brother
hasn’t beaten up another? What brother hasn’t pulled the adoption cared on a
younger brother? “You’re adopted. Mom and Dad found you on the corner and felt
sorry for you.” Yeah, brothers can be pretty cruel. Which, again, is why I like
the story.
This is
such a human story, such simple jealousy to showcase. The youngest gets more
attention from a parent, and then mouths off so he gets beaten and sold.
Telling a brother that he’s adopted is just the modern equivalent. And I would
not be surprised if my brothers had entertained the idea of selling me, they
just lacked a convenient caravan passing through to sell me to.