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. The argument that prevails — he is our flesh and blood — is the covenant family bond invoked as the reason not to kill. The sale is still a betrayal; the argument against murder is still right. The application: the covenant bond between people is the argument against the worst violence, even when the betrayal of a lesser form is still committed.

COMMUNITY REFLECTIONS

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