Customer Reviews

Creation and Blessing: A Guide to the Study and Exposition of Genesis

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I purchased this book for a second year Bible college class on the book of Genesis. Dr. Ross' book was very helpful to me as an aspiring pastor because not only was he helpful in the technical aspects of the book of Genesis but he was also helpful in illustrating how the book of Genesis could be applied in our society today. This book is a must for any Old Testament scholar and for any preacher or teacher of God's Word.

We used this commentary when I was studying Hebrew in seminary. I found it not only to be the best commentary on Genesis, but also the most enjoyable one to read out of all of my OT commentaries. I like the book because it is very readable, it sheds light on the nuances of the original language, and also has very practical applications. I've forgotten a lot of my Hebrew, but I haven't forgotten this book!

Allen Ross (who has taught at Dallas Seminary, Perkins School of Theology, and Beeson Divinity School, to name three) has produced perhaps the best one volume commentary on the book of Genesis. Top priority of this commentary is the meaning of the text. With insights into Hebrew narrative structure (when it applies) and keen discourse analysis, the commentary doesn't bog down into meaningless discussions, but stays focused on the meaning of the words and paragraphs of the text of scripture. If that sounds too academic, amazingly it is not (and Dr. Ross is a Hebrew instructor!) Each pericope has a homiletic focus that is wonderfully helpful, if, like me, you tend to be too focused on the text. It is not simply applicational, but rather focused on the homiletic point of the section.

Good stuff abound. I like Waltke, but you will dig through his Acts and Scenes till they drive you nuts. Ross's commentary is focused and useful. For instance, Genesis 3:16 is so clearly presented, that you will wonder how you missed the obvious.

Excellent.

Dr. Ross is one of the most respected Old Testament scholars in America today. This book brings new understanding to the foundational book of the Bible. Dr. Ross is extremely faithful to the scripture and writes in a way that makes even the most difficult passages easy to understand for all. Dr. Ross currently is O.T. Professor at Trinity Episcopal School of Ministry. He has two doctorate degrees from Cambridge University. This book is used as the text book in a number of seminaries around the world.

Ross does a first rate job in this unique commentary intended especially for pastors and teachers. The book is divided into four main sections with individual pericopes identified in each. Ross gives insightful commentary and workable expository ideas helpful for preparing sermons/lessons from the book. He also keeps you focused with one main expository idea for each passage, with each main point fleshing out that main idea. I can't stress enough what a great help this book is. I wish Ross had these commentaries for the whole OT.

Preaching through Genesis is a challenging task in many ways. So much material, so many opportunities to be side tracked, so many previous examples of preachers applying the text incorrectly. While this book doesn't single-handedly address all these problems it does provide some very useful input for the preacher to develop a clearer approach to the text. I have found Ross' breakdown of passages, exegetical outlines and suggested structures useful in developing my own. However, the best aspects of this work from my point of view is his Summary Message and Theological Ideas sections. Ross provides a summary message for each of his suggested sections of the text. This summary, as the name suggests, gives a concise outline (two or three sentences) of the passage. This has been very helpful in assisting me to develop a big idea/main point for my talks. Again, the Theological Ideas section is self explanatory but most useful in helping the preacher to think through and arrive at what God wants his people today to understand from his Word written a long time ago.

If you are preaching through Genesis you will need other commentaries, however this is a very useful tool and so I highly recommend it.

An excellent expositional commentary of Genesis though Ross seems to allow for a gap between Genesis 1:2 and 1:3.

It seems to me that there are two brackets (Genesis 1:1 & Genesis 2:1) that begin and end the 6-days of creation. Exodus 20:11a states in language similar to the bracket-verses, that the LORD made the heavens and the earth in 6-days. Therefore, if there is a gap, it must be a gap of hours not of geological ages. Also it is doubtful that Satan could have fallen to the earth during any gap and reside there since the earth could therefore no longer be called very good as the LORD calls his freshly made creation in Genesis 1:31. The fall has to happen after creation.

Furthermore, describing the earth as formless and void and dark does not necessarily mean that a disaster happened that ruined God's perfect creation as Ross writes. Rather it could mean that the earth was in a primitive form like the clay on a potter's wheel which the potter would work into a beautiful vase. The formless earth could be perfect for the end that the LORD had in mind. The LORD created in phases, each of which was perfect, and each phase was built on the previous phase until man could live there.

The LORD does not call the second day of creation, good. But that does not mean that someone ruined His creative work during the second day before He could call it good. The earth at the end of the second day was perfect for the end the LORD had in mind though it was not good, that is, it was not yet able to support the presence of man.

This is a terrific addition to any library! Wheter you are a preacher or layman...you will be delighted with this in-depth study.

This is a very good and practical book. Its insights are rich and full of care thought, not bogged down like with verbose reading like most commentaries. This is an excellent resource.