Rating: 
Summary: Very enlightening commentary on the ENTIRE book of Genesis
Review: You'd think that this book only covered the first 2 chapters of Genesis from reading the reviews. Debating aside, I think everyone ought to read the book of Genesis all the way through. It is truly a book of beginnings, and the human experience. There are many interesting explanations presented here, such as the "closing signatures" of each section "these are the generations of <>" fill in the person who wrote that portion. There is the novel explanation of Abraham and Sarah's bodies being miraculously rejuvenated back to youth to have Isaac, instead of the usual picture of two elderly parents. Then there is a long section on Jacob and an attempt at a scientific explanation of the spotted/speckled recessive traits and the striped rods being some kind of cattle and sheep aphrodisiac. The section on Joseph is rich and full of interest, with a detailed analysis of the brothers' two trips to Egypt and how Joseph's harsh questioning and tests brings them to repentance and finally reconciliation. So there is a lot to this book than just the 6 days of creation, if people would read further, they'd find many interesting interpretations to help them gain a better understanding of the events in Genesis and hence the Bible. Morris does tend to explain away some of the doubtful behavior of the main characters which differs from other commentaries. For example, he excuses Jacob and Rebecca's deception on Isaac as saying that perhaps they thought to save his life, for had he blessed Esau against God's will, maybe there would be repercussions. He also explains Rachel's theft of her father's idols as perhaps it was a way for her to lay claim to any inheritance she felt was due. Meanwhile Dr. J. Vernon McGee tells it like it is in his "Chicken's Come Home to Roost" sermon series where he talks about Jacob's trickery being revisited on him at Uncle Laban's School of Hard Knocks. Dr. McGee doesn't excuse Jacob's behavior nor put on a false-pious veneer. But rather shows how God works with Jacob to bring him into spiritual maturity, by teaching him lessons. Highly recommended, if I got through this book by reading a little every day on the Stairmaster, you can too.
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