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Genesis #3
Sold into Egypt: Joseph's Journey into Human Being
In this eagerly anticipated third volume of the Genesis Trilogy, Madeleine L'Engle takes us on a new jouney. And It Was Good reflected on the marvel of new beginnings; A Stone for a Pillow tells the story of Jacob, one of the Bible's earliest pilgrims, and follows his, and Madeleine's, inner and outer journeys.
In Sold Into Egypt, we trace a new journey, that of Jacob's favored younger son, Joseph--a journey on many levels: the abduction from Canaan country to pagan Egypt with its slavery and sophistication, from poverty to riches, from insignificance to the power of privilege and leadership, from the foolish arrogance of youth to the seasoned wisdom of maturity, from parochial narrowness to the authentic human-ness which comes with hard lessons learned and relationships restored.
Madeleine L'Engle joins Joseph on this journey as she herself moves through grief. With the loss of her beloved husband, she traverses the barren desert of bereavement. And just as Yahweh was Joseph's strong companion in the desert journey, in the house of Potiphar, in prison, and in his rise to power, so God was with the author of this book and, she assures us, he will be with us as we, too, move toward the human-ness of true maturity. --from the book jacket
In Sold Into Egypt, we trace a new journey, that of Jacob's favored younger son, Joseph--a journey on many levels: the abduction from Canaan country to pagan Egypt with its slavery and sophistication, from poverty to riches, from insignificance to the power of privilege and leadership, from the foolish arrogance of youth to the seasoned wisdom of maturity, from parochial narrowness to the authentic human-ness which comes with hard lessons learned and relationships restored.
Madeleine L'Engle joins Joseph on this journey as she herself moves through grief. With the loss of her beloved husband, she traverses the barren desert of bereavement. And just as Yahweh was Joseph's strong companion in the desert journey, in the house of Potiphar, in prison, and in his rise to power, so God was with the author of this book and, she assures us, he will be with us as we, too, move toward the human-ness of true maturity. --from the book jacket
240 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 1989
29 people are currently reading
905 people want to read
About the author
Madeleine L'Engle
170 books9,197 followersMadeleine L'Engle was an American writer of fiction, nonfiction, poetry, and young adult fiction, including A Wrinkle in Time and its sequels: A Wind in the Door, A Swiftly Tilting Planet, Many Waters, and An Acceptable Time. Her works reflect both her Christian faith and her strong interest in modern science.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 32 reviews
March 1, 2019
Sold into Egypt is the third volume of The Genesis Trilogy and one, for some reason, I didn’t know existed until I read about it in another book about Madeleine L’Engle. As a result I promptly ordered it, as I have read, loved and own a number of her books. It tells the story of Jacob’s son, Joseph and his journey from Canaan to Egypt. It tells of the hardships he endured after his brothers sold him into slavery years before. It tells of the favour and then imprisonment he found in Egypt before ultimate success comes his way. And then it tells what happens when he meets up again with his brothers.
Much of the story was familiar to me but Madeleine L’Engle always manages to put a bit different spin on things. Even when I don’t agree with her conclusions on all things and at times I don’t, what I do appreciate is that she causes me to think things through and uncover what I do believe and why. That is always valuable.
Interspersed with the tale of Joseph is Madeleine’s own story and her grief after the death of her husband of forty years. As usual she focuses, as she has in other books, on the idea that science and creation are not mutually exclusive but can exist together. I particularly like this passage which was pointed out to her by an astrophysicist friend that, ’gravity, too plays a significant part in planetary life. Our gravity is at exactly the fine-tuned strength that will permit the evolution of planets which are capable of supporting life. If gravity were a fraction weaker, all stars would be red dwarfs; if it were a fraction stronger, all stars would be blue giants; and suns like ours, strong young suns with planetary systems, would not be possible, and there would be no sentient life whatsoever.’ It spoke to me once again of how perfectly God created all things.
Usually in Madeleine’s books, I have lots of passages underlined, highlighted and that I return to, to read and think about. Apart from this one and a couple of others, not so much in this book. For some reason I found this book disjointed. Maybe that is a result of her grief about her husband, I’m not sure. I also found the first person parts from so many character including Potiphar’s wife, Dinah, as well as that of Joseph and his brothers at times rather off putting. This book just, to me, didn’t seem to flow. Unlike her other books, in some ways I was left a little disappointed in parts by this one.
Much of the story was familiar to me but Madeleine L’Engle always manages to put a bit different spin on things. Even when I don’t agree with her conclusions on all things and at times I don’t, what I do appreciate is that she causes me to think things through and uncover what I do believe and why. That is always valuable.
Interspersed with the tale of Joseph is Madeleine’s own story and her grief after the death of her husband of forty years. As usual she focuses, as she has in other books, on the idea that science and creation are not mutually exclusive but can exist together. I particularly like this passage which was pointed out to her by an astrophysicist friend that, ’gravity, too plays a significant part in planetary life. Our gravity is at exactly the fine-tuned strength that will permit the evolution of planets which are capable of supporting life. If gravity were a fraction weaker, all stars would be red dwarfs; if it were a fraction stronger, all stars would be blue giants; and suns like ours, strong young suns with planetary systems, would not be possible, and there would be no sentient life whatsoever.’ It spoke to me once again of how perfectly God created all things.
Usually in Madeleine’s books, I have lots of passages underlined, highlighted and that I return to, to read and think about. Apart from this one and a couple of others, not so much in this book. For some reason I found this book disjointed. Maybe that is a result of her grief about her husband, I’m not sure. I also found the first person parts from so many character including Potiphar’s wife, Dinah, as well as that of Joseph and his brothers at times rather off putting. This book just, to me, didn’t seem to flow. Unlike her other books, in some ways I was left a little disappointed in parts by this one.
February 11, 2013
L'Engle is much more interested in morality and love than in any traditional orthodoxy, so this can be an offsetting book. In it she retells Joseph's story with many a digression and some interesting, feminine viewpoints.
Here's a good quote: "'Christian' writing still makes me irritable, because a 'Christian' writer does not necessarily have to be a good writer, and so does not have to serve the work." I'm looking at you, Christian radio!
Here's a good quote: "'Christian' writing still makes me irritable, because a 'Christian' writer does not necessarily have to be a good writer, and so does not have to serve the work." I'm looking at you, Christian radio!
March 27, 2017
This is a good ending to the Genesis trilogy. I wish L'Engle had spent more time on Joseph's story, but she does give a good overview of his life and fills in gaps in the story in interesting ways. Her thoughts are focused on love and communion, as always, and that's what draws me to L'Engle. This isn't my favorite of hers. I've come to realize that her earliest works lack depth, but her latest works lack passion. Her novels and nonfiction books from the middle of her life are excellent. They're so insightful and hopeful, and I can feel her presence more when reading them. Maybe, as Milosz says, she's thinking more about "the second space" as she gets older and after losing Hugh, her husband of forty years. There's a notable absence of something in her later books, whatever that something is.
Anyway, after reading The Universe: Leading Scientists Explore the Origin, Mysteries, and Future of the Cosmos, I was thinking about what began my side passion for astrophysics and cosmology, and it was L'Engle. So, about five summers ago, I was going through a tough time in my life. I had just turned twenty-five, and I didn't have my Master's yet like I thought I would, and I was single and didn't have children yet like I thought I would, and I was just really sad and trying to figure out life and my relationship with God. That summer, I read a lot of L'Engle's works, and I was thinking a lot about love and the interconnectivity of all of God's creation. After reading A Wind in the Door, I became really curious about the science behind L'Engle's writing. My dad owns a copy of A Brief History of Time, so I read it to get an overview of the physics that L'Engle's books employ. That opened me up to a whole new world, and that's why Hawking's book is on my favorites shelf. Reading about the science of the universe has deepened my understanding of God and of creation and has broadened my perspective to include more than just this tiny little planet in this ordinary galaxy (as L'Engle always says). It's allowed me to think about the vastness of the universe as well as the universe's microscopic entities. This also allows me to understand God on a deeper level. The more science I read, the more I see the connection between my faith and the physical world. And this all helped me to feel better about my life as it was then and to have a deeper relationship with God, a deeper understanding of chronos and kairos, thinking about eternity and infinity, the connection I share to God with the rest of His creation. This is all because of Madeleine L'Engle and the awesome way that God used her to change my perspective on life, which in turn changed my life.
That's why I love L'Engle so much. Her writing changed my life, and I know that L'Engle would love that her writing brought me closer to God and to who He created me to be. Even when I don't enjoy her writing as much as other pieces of her work, I still love her, and I will always be grateful to her work for what it did for me. I can't recommend L'Engle enough.
Anyway, after reading The Universe: Leading Scientists Explore the Origin, Mysteries, and Future of the Cosmos, I was thinking about what began my side passion for astrophysics and cosmology, and it was L'Engle. So, about five summers ago, I was going through a tough time in my life. I had just turned twenty-five, and I didn't have my Master's yet like I thought I would, and I was single and didn't have children yet like I thought I would, and I was just really sad and trying to figure out life and my relationship with God. That summer, I read a lot of L'Engle's works, and I was thinking a lot about love and the interconnectivity of all of God's creation. After reading A Wind in the Door, I became really curious about the science behind L'Engle's writing. My dad owns a copy of A Brief History of Time, so I read it to get an overview of the physics that L'Engle's books employ. That opened me up to a whole new world, and that's why Hawking's book is on my favorites shelf. Reading about the science of the universe has deepened my understanding of God and of creation and has broadened my perspective to include more than just this tiny little planet in this ordinary galaxy (as L'Engle always says). It's allowed me to think about the vastness of the universe as well as the universe's microscopic entities. This also allows me to understand God on a deeper level. The more science I read, the more I see the connection between my faith and the physical world. And this all helped me to feel better about my life as it was then and to have a deeper relationship with God, a deeper understanding of chronos and kairos, thinking about eternity and infinity, the connection I share to God with the rest of His creation. This is all because of Madeleine L'Engle and the awesome way that God used her to change my perspective on life, which in turn changed my life.
That's why I love L'Engle so much. Her writing changed my life, and I know that L'Engle would love that her writing brought me closer to God and to who He created me to be. Even when I don't enjoy her writing as much as other pieces of her work, I still love her, and I will always be grateful to her work for what it did for me. I can't recommend L'Engle enough.
May 20, 2017
First sentence: He was a spoiled brat, Joseph, the eleventh brother. Indulged, self-indulgent, selfish. He clung to his father and the women. Whined. Got his own way. If one of the wives said no, another would surely say yes. When he was crossed he wailed that he had no mother.
Premise/plot: Sold Into Egypt completes Madeleine L'Engle's Genesis trilogy. (And It Was Good; Stone for A Pillow). The book is a blend of memoir and biblical fiction. Sold Into Egypt is a memoir in that Madeleine L'Engle is reflecting on her life, specifically her GRIEF over losing her husband, Hugh. She's also sharing her spiritual reflections on what it means to live, to die, to be human. Sold Into Egypt is biblical fiction in that within each chapter--or most of the chapters--L'Engle speculates on the last chapters of Genesis. She presents accounts from different points of view.
My thoughts: I've mentioned it before, but, it's always worth mentioning again: L'Engle's theology is dangerous. Her theology is not devoid of all truth. And, at times, she speaks the unadulterated truth. But most of the time, the "truth" is filtered through her all-too-human-lens of what is right and what is wrong in her own eyes, in her own reckoning. And God as revealed in the written Word, the Bible, the Holy Scriptures, the Scriptures that are not to be added to or subtracted from does not match L'Engle's God. And so when given the choice to believe God's Own Revelation of Himself and her own idea of God, she goes with her own idea of God. L'Engle claiming that the Bible was never meant to be static, and that God is always changing, that "I AM" really means "I will be what I will be." Here's the thing: we all have a choice to make. No matter who we are, how we've been raised, how seasoned or experienced we are "in the faith." When our thoughts are in conflict with the Word of God, what will we do--who will we trust?! Will we trust the Word of God even when it doesn't seem right to us? even when it conflicts with what we want to do, with what we want to believe? even when it conflicts with our comfort zone? L'Engle is an advocate of the theory the Bible only has meaning when we--the reader--read it. And that meaning changes reader to reader. The Bible means what it means to us at that moment in time. What it means to me today is not what the Bible meant to me two decades ago. And of course my Bible is going to be different from your Bible because we're two different people! I hope you can see that L'Engle is dangerous, and dangerous precisely because she's not alone in her madness.
The three books are a product of her times. All three were written in the eighties. All three were written in the midst of the Cold War. All three deal with "current news" and "current politics."
Premise/plot: Sold Into Egypt completes Madeleine L'Engle's Genesis trilogy. (And It Was Good; Stone for A Pillow). The book is a blend of memoir and biblical fiction. Sold Into Egypt is a memoir in that Madeleine L'Engle is reflecting on her life, specifically her GRIEF over losing her husband, Hugh. She's also sharing her spiritual reflections on what it means to live, to die, to be human. Sold Into Egypt is biblical fiction in that within each chapter--or most of the chapters--L'Engle speculates on the last chapters of Genesis. She presents accounts from different points of view.
My thoughts: I've mentioned it before, but, it's always worth mentioning again: L'Engle's theology is dangerous. Her theology is not devoid of all truth. And, at times, she speaks the unadulterated truth. But most of the time, the "truth" is filtered through her all-too-human-lens of what is right and what is wrong in her own eyes, in her own reckoning. And God as revealed in the written Word, the Bible, the Holy Scriptures, the Scriptures that are not to be added to or subtracted from does not match L'Engle's God. And so when given the choice to believe God's Own Revelation of Himself and her own idea of God, she goes with her own idea of God. L'Engle claiming that the Bible was never meant to be static, and that God is always changing, that "I AM" really means "I will be what I will be." Here's the thing: we all have a choice to make. No matter who we are, how we've been raised, how seasoned or experienced we are "in the faith." When our thoughts are in conflict with the Word of God, what will we do--who will we trust?! Will we trust the Word of God even when it doesn't seem right to us? even when it conflicts with what we want to do, with what we want to believe? even when it conflicts with our comfort zone? L'Engle is an advocate of the theory the Bible only has meaning when we--the reader--read it. And that meaning changes reader to reader. The Bible means what it means to us at that moment in time. What it means to me today is not what the Bible meant to me two decades ago. And of course my Bible is going to be different from your Bible because we're two different people! I hope you can see that L'Engle is dangerous, and dangerous precisely because she's not alone in her madness.
The three books are a product of her times. All three were written in the eighties. All three were written in the midst of the Cold War. All three deal with "current news" and "current politics."
December 2, 2009
Ms. L'Engle writes not only as a theologist, but as a scientist, historian, and perhaps psychologist. Indeed, she has read Einstein extensively, and her knowledge of particle physics and the universe is like taking a refresher course in astronomy.
She writes the book shortly after the death of her husband Hugh, to whom she was married for 40 years. Thus the topics of death, grief, and uncertainty already vivid in the story of Joseph become more pronounced in her own life and writing. She speaks intimately of her loss, her grief, and identifies with the characters in the ancient text of the bible as people, not icons.
She outlines Joseph's growth from pampered and favored young boy into a fully developed, mature human being. She illustrates how difficulty and pain served him well on his journey, and how he rose above even the most wrenching conditions.
In the end, she writes about humanity, and how stories teach us how to be truly human. And just because many things in stories told long ago are not to be taken literally, she reminds us, that doesn't mean they aren't true.
She writes the book shortly after the death of her husband Hugh, to whom she was married for 40 years. Thus the topics of death, grief, and uncertainty already vivid in the story of Joseph become more pronounced in her own life and writing. She speaks intimately of her loss, her grief, and identifies with the characters in the ancient text of the bible as people, not icons.
She outlines Joseph's growth from pampered and favored young boy into a fully developed, mature human being. She illustrates how difficulty and pain served him well on his journey, and how he rose above even the most wrenching conditions.
In the end, she writes about humanity, and how stories teach us how to be truly human. And just because many things in stories told long ago are not to be taken literally, she reminds us, that doesn't mean they aren't true.
August 17, 2025
I absolutely loved this. L'Engle is a phenomenal writer and her perspective on being human is profound and beautiful.
December 31, 2023
I'm very happy I finished, but also very sad its over!!! Another wonderful book full of wisdom, thoughts to ponder and perspectives not yet explored! The last 2 chapters were by favorite!
December 27, 2024
For making the story of Joseph’s life come alive in a fresh and full way. L’Engle encourages readers to see themselves in the humanness of Joseph, and to see what his story tells us about being human. Really fun tangental rants or side musings.
Had a lot of the same content or reflections as the previous two books in the Genesis trilogy. As a stand alone book the reflections would have felt more fresh, but so much of the content has already been hashed out in books 1 and 2. Odd formatting. Chapters are divided into the twelve sons of Israel but many of the chapters have nothing to do with those sons.
Had a lot of the same content or reflections as the previous two books in the Genesis trilogy. As a stand alone book the reflections would have felt more fresh, but so much of the content has already been hashed out in books 1 and 2. Odd formatting. Chapters are divided into the twelve sons of Israel but many of the chapters have nothing to do with those sons.
July 27, 2011
My least favorite of L'Engles books. She admittedly is working through her grief over losing her husband, and to her credit, she honestly shares her struggle. What troubles me is that she was clearly using this project as a crutch, and it coincided with her anger phase. A lot of what she said didn't really apply to Joseph and family, although cleverly written.
May 15, 2016
In my opinion this is a weaker book than the previous two in ML'E's Genesis series. It seems labored , especially in the first half, and even she admits to the difficulty of writing it. Nevertheless, it has many wonderful and inspiring moments.
July 7, 2015
Maybe I have read too many of her books, but it seemed to repeat many thoughts from previous books. It also seemed to drift from one idea to another. Still there is a lot to consider.
July 25, 2022
TW: sexual assault at the beginning of the “Potiphar’s Wife” section in the 5th chapter, “Dan”. (Again, a few things rubbed me in here, also assumingely a product of the socio-historical constraints).
Was a little tougher to get into this one than the other two in the trilogy. Still thoroughly enjoyed & gleaned much<3
“All I have to know is that God is love, and that love will not let us go, not any of us. When I say that I believe in the resurrection of the body, and I do, I am saying what I believe to be true, not literal, but true. Literalism and infallibility go hand in hand, but mercy and truth have kissed each other. To be human is to be fallible, but it is also to be capable of love and to be able to retain that childlike openness which enables us to go bravely into the darkness and toward that life of love and the truth which will set us free.”
“I want to love God so much that I will no longer obscure the lovely light, but will let it burn brightly.”
Was a little tougher to get into this one than the other two in the trilogy. Still thoroughly enjoyed & gleaned much<3
“All I have to know is that God is love, and that love will not let us go, not any of us. When I say that I believe in the resurrection of the body, and I do, I am saying what I believe to be true, not literal, but true. Literalism and infallibility go hand in hand, but mercy and truth have kissed each other. To be human is to be fallible, but it is also to be capable of love and to be able to retain that childlike openness which enables us to go bravely into the darkness and toward that life of love and the truth which will set us free.”
“I want to love God so much that I will no longer obscure the lovely light, but will let it burn brightly.”
April 5, 2019
Madeleine L’Engle continues to amaze and excite me as I learn so many more aspects of our Creator God through her words. She shows me repeatedly how God cannot be put in a box and close mindedness is one of the worst ways a believer can live. It makes me want to break out of that box so badly and destroy it forever. Humility dies in a box. So does love. And all good things. She had taught me how is impossible to love without open hands to the crazy mystery of our God. So many nuggets of wisdom and intrigue I will be thinking on for years to come. Kind of want to read all of her books now. She is classy, unafraid to share her opinions, and so very brilliant and gifted with the pen. I’d like her to be my mentor in heaven someday. 🤞🏼🤞🏼
May 10, 2017
Sold into Egypt
Journeys into Human Being
by Madeleine L'Engle
Crown Publishing
Convergent Books
Christian
Pub Date 23 May 2017
I am voluntarily reviewing a copy of Sold Into Egypt through Crown Publishing/Convergent Books and Netgalley:
In the third and final book of the Genesis trillogy Madeline L Engle asks if Joseph- the deserted son Jacob is relevant in our modern era, the answer is yes because many of us like Joseph we have faced trials, tribulations and loss.
I give Sold Into Egypt five out of five stars.
Happy Reading.
November 17, 2022
One should not look for solid theology here. Madeleine takes many liberties and yet puts skin on these characters in the Bible, the early beginnings of the nation of Israel. What might have each of the sons of Jacob/Israel have thought and felt? Yes, they were real people whom God worked a story, just as He is each of us.
Madeleine's wonder continues to draw me into thinking far and wide in a way my mind doesn't often go on its own and she gives me permission to "not know" so many things without it rattling my faith.
Madeleine's wonder continues to draw me into thinking far and wide in a way my mind doesn't often go on its own and she gives me permission to "not know" so many things without it rattling my faith.
December 25, 2023
The Final Book in the Trilogy
Gentle, yet profound and challenging, writer Madeleine L'Engle takes readers through the life of Jacob's (Israel's) sons and daughter, seen through the perspective of Joseph's shocking and troubling journey to slavery in Egypt. Sold into Egypt reminds us of humanness, both the grandness and the humbleness. I read it as a one-chapter-per-day inspirational reading. That left time for contemplation. There is also a chapter-by-chapter study guide in the back. This was lovely reading that filled my soul by challenging it to grow.
Gentle, yet profound and challenging, writer Madeleine L'Engle takes readers through the life of Jacob's (Israel's) sons and daughter, seen through the perspective of Joseph's shocking and troubling journey to slavery in Egypt. Sold into Egypt reminds us of humanness, both the grandness and the humbleness. I read it as a one-chapter-per-day inspirational reading. That left time for contemplation. There is also a chapter-by-chapter study guide in the back. This was lovely reading that filled my soul by challenging it to grow.
March 10, 2024
Each book in this series was a bit more disjointed than the last. This last one took serious discipline for me to finish, which I did because of my deep respect for L'Engle as an author. I think this is the kind of book you can only get away with when you already have shelves full of celebrated published works, as a more accurate subtitle would have been "A Collection of literally anything on my mind at the time I was writing, which I sometimes shoe-horned into reflections on part of Genesis." L'Engle remains one of my favorites, but this one just wasn't for me.
March 15, 2019
I was not aware the L'Engle wrote Biblical commentary until I read her biography by Sarah Arthur a few months ago. This was one they had at my local used book store so I started here. I enjoyed her imaginative approach to thinking about the people of this story of Joshua and his time in Egypt. It is also interspersed with her own story and thoughts on faith. I will look for others by her.
September 4, 2025
honestly this isn't going to be everyone's cup of tea- it's a blend of fictionalized account of Joseph's life and the authors reflections on her own life, especially on grief. There were several interesting ideas in here, but it's neither really a linear study of Joseph nor an autobiography or memoir, but a little bit in between.
May 4, 2023
I love Madeleine L'Engle. Her thoughts & explanations are so human. She approaches scripture not with piety but with curiosity. She explores the context it was written & how it intermingles with the present day. This work is honest. She writes from the point of view of biblical characters as well as herself creating a more dynamic view of Joseph's story.
April 6, 2024
Parts of this feel muddled (especially when she gets into the chapters on the less-important brothers of Joseph) but it all comes together in the end and is glorious. "Yes, the sun burns, burns away anger and outrage, and my heart opens like a lotus flower."
September 26, 2017
I loved the idea behind this book, but the writing was scattered, the editing was terrible, and the theology behind a lot of the book was really off.
November 5, 2017
Great book
I just found these books and l was amazed at her theology. Very deep and intuitive. Had read her children’s stories, but am so thankful for this series on Genesis
I just found these books and l was amazed at her theology. Very deep and intuitive. Had read her children’s stories, but am so thankful for this series on Genesis
November 17, 2017
The Story of Joseph and his brothers (and some of their wives), and his sister Dinah, each told in that person's voice.
November 22, 2017
My least favorite of the series. Found it to read really similar as the #2. A few good nuggets but overall was ready for it to be over by the time I was halfway through. Sorry, Madeleine.
June 16, 2021
I just finished Genesis in a 30 week study and this little book was a nice summary of Josephs brothers!
January 26, 2023
So much good in this one too.
August 7, 2024
I think this is my favorite of this trilogy. I really like L’Engle’s character thoughts on “becoming human.”
May 22, 2025
Madeleine has yet to disappoint. Her nonfiction is phenomenal.
November 22, 2016
This is partially a retelling of the story of Joseph and partially a memoir. L'Engle's thoughtful, wandering discourse is good, but I never found myself sucked in. If I wasn't reading it for book club, I probably would have given up.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 32 reviews