GENESIS

Accessible commentary on the book of Genesis for the layperson.

In this unassuming and personal debut work, Folse does a good job of connecting readers to the titular Old Testament book. She approaches Genesis chapter by chapter and often line by line, filling her pages with common-sense lessons from Scripture. Although her work is far from academic in approach, it’s clear that she’s done her homework. There are references to original Hebrew terms throughout to offer a better understanding of the original text. Folse also provides important background, wherever necessary, to help readers grasp the times and places under discussion. For instance, a single page aptly describes the topography and geography of the land of Canaan, providing a fine guide without bogging the study down with extraneous facts. Frequent references to the New Testament serve to tie the study to a Christian mindset. The author admirably provides an equal amount of energy, space, and study to topics as diverse as the seven days of Creation, the Great Flood, the travels of Abram, and the travails of Joseph. She also closely examines less-well-known elements, such as the “Table of Nations” in Genesis 10. Folse follows in the footsteps of such popular commentators as Max Lucado, creating a widely accessible, highly personalized work that focuses on applicable lessons from the biblical text. That said, those readers who may be looking for a more critical study of Genesis will have to look elsewhere. This work would best serve Bible study groups, especially those for young believers.

A worthwhile tool for those new to the study of Scripture.