Page:The Story of Joseph and His Brethren.djvu/90



HE next act of cruelty which Joseph's brethren did to him is one that finds an obvious similitude in the history of our Lord. Their selling Joseph to the Ishmaelites has its counterpart in Judas selling Jesus. And here there is this special resemblance, in that Judah was the one who counselled his brethren to sell Joseph. Judah and Judas are the same names, and in their perverted character these two men have the same spiritual signification—the highest good turned into the deepest evil. Judah also had gain in view as an end, for he said—"What profit is it if we slay our brother and conceal his blood? come, let us sell him." There is not in these two transactions a perfect likeness. Judah sold Joseph to the Ishmaelites, Judas sold Jesus to the Jews; Joseph was sold for twenty pieces of silver, Jesus was sold for thirty. I do not