YUSUF DIJUAL: TANGGUNG JAWAB YEHUDA? Menelisik Kisah Yusuf dan Yehuda dalam Kej 36-50

Abstract

Human trafficking, which has become a serious problem in our time, also existed
centuries ago, especially when slavery was commonly accepted. The Book of Genesis
shares the story of the selling by his brothers of a person named Joseph. Different
from human trafficking these days, the reason for selling Joseph was more about
envy than money. Envy triggered the brothers’ plot to eliminate Joseph from their
family. Whatever the reason, in Egypt Joseph was put on the auction block and
bought and sold as a bill of goods. The Joseph-Judah story tracks the first human
trafficking case in the Bible inviting the reader to be aware of how people are
bought and sold. The sellers –Jospeh’s brothers and especially Judah – do not
want to be known as the culprits. Nobody is willing to admit commiting this
crime, instead, one always pretends to be innocent. Meanwhile Joseph’s identity
is stripped away as the story continues. Human trafficking, always involves the
loss of one’s social networks coupled with elimination of one’s identity.

Kata-kata Kunci: Yusuf, Yehuda, hamba, penjualan, identitas,
perhambaan, penjual-belian, perdagangan manusia, membunuh,
menghilangkan.