In Exodus 21:32, it is mentioned that the price set by Moses to redeem a slave who had been killed or disabled was thirty pieces of silver. This implies that the price for a strong young man should have been much higher. The traders who bought Joseph for twenty pieces of silver could make a profit on the deal. However, by selling Joseph for such a low price, the brothers demonstrated just how much they hated Joseph. We can only imagine the horror that Joseph faced when he was taken away from his father, who loved him, only to face the hatred of his brothers. He was then sold as a slave into a foreign land, as documented in Genesis 42:21.

23 So it came to pass, when Joseph had come to his brothers, that they stripped Joseph of his tunic, the tunic of many colors that was on him. 

24 Then they took him and cast him into a pit. And the pit was empty; there was no water in it.

25 And they sat down to eat a meal. Then they lifted their eyes and looked, and there was a company of Ishmaelites, coming from Gilead with their camels, bearing spices, balm, and myrrh, on their way to carry them down to Egypt. 

26 So Judah said to his brothers, “What profit is there if we kill our brother and conceal his blood? 

27 Come and let us sell him to the Ishmaelites, and let not our hand be upon him, for he is our brother and our flesh.” And his brothers listened. 

28 Then Midianite traders passed by; so the brothers pulled Joseph up and lifted him out of the pit, and sold him to the Ishmaelites for twenty shekels of silver. And they took Joseph to Egypt.

~ Genesis 37:23-28

Our Father who is in heaven, hallowed be Your name. Your kingdom come. Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven. I’ve noticed that sometimes when people within a group dislike each other, they try to keep their animosity and actions hidden from those in positions of authority. However, they don’t usually hide their actions from those who share their feelings and plans with them. I hope to always have a pure heart and be wise enough to avoid sinning by hating, let alone conspiring against, anyone. Moreover, when others sin against me, may I have the mind of Christ in praying for their soul, and not harbor any bitterness against them (Matthew 5:43-48; Hebrews 12:15-16). Please help me to be complete in these things. It is in Jesus’ name that I pray. Amen.