Joseph’s eBay listings
September 26, 2007
By William E. Richardson
“But where can wisdom be found? … Man does not know its value” (Job 28:12,13, NKJV).
Along with normal auction items, you can buy some unique things on eBay. A Nebraska man used eBay to rent his forehead as advertising space. Someone bought a fighter jet through eBay for $1 million. One person even gave $263 for a wad of gum Britney Spears had chewed.
What if items from Bible stories were available on eBay? What if you could purchase things from crowns to chains, from staffs to stones, from slings to swords? They’d be more than biblical artifacts; each item would be a piece of someone’s life-changing story.
What if for instance, clothing mentioned in the Book of Genesis from the life of Joseph appeared on eBay? Each garment would represent a significant moment in Joseph’s life. Each item should remind the new owner of qualities from the former wearer’s life worth clinging to in the 21st century.
Let’s consider three biblically authenticated articles of clothing from Joseph. Here’s how each item, its condition, and some background information might be listed.
Item: Colorful childhood coat. Condition: Has some bloodstains.
Background information: This coat belonged to Joseph “the dreamer” (Genesis 37:19). It was a gift from his father, Jacob. The coat and Joseph’s dreams caused his brothers to hate him. One day, they took the coat from Joseph, sold him into slavery, and then dipped their brother’s prized garment in goat’s blood to make their father believe the worst.
Item: Egyptian slave garment. Condition: Has a slight tear.
Background information: This garment belonged to Joseph “the Hebrew servant” (Genesis 39:17,18). In Egypt, Potiphar, a military leader, bought Joseph as a slave. Potiphar’s wife enticed Joseph to have intimate relations with her. He kept refusing. One day, she grabbed hold of his garment. Joseph fled. The clothing tore. She falsely accused Joseph, showing this garment with the tear, to her husband.
Item: Fine linen apparel. Condition: Very fine.
Background information: This excellent piece of royal clothing belonged to Joseph as “Zaphnath-Paaneah” (Genesis 41:42,45). Joseph the former slave was released from prison to interpret the king’s dreams. Joseph told the ruler what his dreams meant. Pharaoh promoted him to second in command in all of Egypt, with this majestic garment and a new name.
Of course it isn’t possible to buy Joseph’s garments on eBay or anywhere. If we could, their very presence would shout to us to stay true to God no matter how wrongfully others treat us. They’d remind us of the importance of resisting temptation and forgiving others.
If we’ll honor God, He’ll bless us beyond our dreams. The example of Joseph’s life, if not his garments, is living proof.
William E. Richardson is senior pastor of Afton (Iowa) Assembly of God.
“Tests are built into the design of most classrooms because they have been proven dependable in creating solid learning experiences among students. God’s design allows for tests in our spiritual experience as well. When we recognize God at work through our tests, we learn to rejoice in them. We learn to celebrate that God is placing within our lives the potential to receive an A in the area of faith.”
“Grade-A Faith,” Bradley T. Trask
Today’s Pentecostal Evangel, September 23, 2007
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