SOLD INTO EGYPT, Joseph's Journey Into Human Being

by Madeleine L'Engle

Book Overview

Book #3 of the Genesis Trilogy. This special reissue of a classic work of spirituality from the author of A Wrinkle in Time offers life-transforming insights on the rich heritage of the Bible and... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Unknown Binding
• ISBN: B002L0NGL2
• Release Date: January 1
• Publisher: Guideposts
• Weight: 0.85 lbs.

Customer Reviews

Family Therapists Will Be Tantalized

In this analysis of the Old Testament's Joseph and his eleven brothers, one of my favorite authors from childhood (A Wrinkle In Time) has pursued a line of questions worthy of a family therapist. L'Engle essentially explores the patriarchal legacy of Jacob and his sons on a level that blurs the line between spiritual and psychosocial development. She expresses faith that God knows where He is headed with Joseph, yet allows plenty of room for us to enjoy how much these biblical characters resemble our own families. Jealousy, murderous intrigue, envy, revenge, retribution, redemption, and forgiveness all are present. Sexual politics in a two-wife family (not so different from today's divorced, blended, and/or affair-tainted marriages) and the complicated half-sibling relationships that result are clearly presented. L'Engle intersperses her commentary on Joseph with autobiographical material regarding her widowhood and changing sense of family after the death of her husband. At one level, this makes for a rambling and almost chatty work; at another level, it adds intimacy and makes for a sympathetic (rather than judgemental) reponse to the foibles of Joseph's family. Like an old favorite aunt, L'Engle sometimes repeats herself, overgeneralizes, or wrongly assumes that her faith is the same as ours. Oh, but would that we all had a favorite aunt with this much compassion for the human condition to which this epic story speaks! My spiritual journey has been enriched.