The Message of Genesis 12–50

The Bible Speaks Today: Old Testament

by Joyce G. Baldwin

Genesis sets the scene for the whole of the Bible, and indeed the entire human drama. It is a book both of beginnings and of a new beginning—the dawn of the gospel. In this Bible Speaks Today commentary, Joyce G. Baldwin shows how the vivid narratives of Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, and Joseph still speak to us today, highlighting God's ways of dealing with ordinary, imperfect people in fulfilling his great plan for the whole of humanity. Baldwin explores the meaning Genesis 12–50 offers Christians today—and how the often painful experiences it relates help us to better know the character of the God we worship. Part of the beloved Bible Speaks Today series, The Message of Genesis 12–50 offers an insightful, readable exposition of the biblical text and thought-provoking discussion of how its meaning relates to contemporary life. Used by students and teachers around the world, The Bible Speaks Today commentaries are ideal for those studying or preaching the Bible and anyone who wants to delve deeper into the text. This beautifully redesigned edition has also been sensitively updated with more current references and the NRSV Bible text.

Genres: Biblical Studies, Reference

185 pages, Kindle Edition

First published January 1, 1986

About the author

Joyce Gertrude Baldwin

Reviews

[Paul Dubuc · Rating 2 out of 5]

I've read some of the other commentaries in this series and they generally make good devotional commentaries, but this one was disappointing. The author does not provide much in the way of insight or application beyond what you can read in the text of Genesis 12-50 itself.

[Jackie · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a nice supplement to individually searching each thing I wanted to know about in the biblical hermeneutics stack exchange.

[Dan · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Bible Speaks Today is one of the greatest introductory commentaries on Holy Scripture that has even been produced.  Eddied by the revered John Stott, this series is very through having (almost) a work per book in scripture.  One of the books which has two volumes in the series is the book of Genesis.  Genesis is fifty chapters in length and is written in historical narrative, therefore there is much to be explained for those who do not have the benefit of understanding the cultural context of the ancient near east.  Thankful the Bible Speaks Today (BST) helps not only explain the cultural context to a reader but why it matters to them in their current cultural context.

While both of the volumes on Genesis are beneficial, the one before us today is the second volume containing Genesis 12-50.  This covers from the life of Abraham through the life of Joseph.  While most entries in the series can be praised for expositing in some depth various periscopes, I found this volume to be severally lacking in that department.  The author Joyce Baldwin does an admirable job in exegeting the passages, yet it is still lacking.  It most likely is due to the format of the series, keeping books shorter and more to the point, yet for those who wish to slowly teach or preach exegetical though shorter passages at a time this work is not a great as it could have been.

This is not to say that I did not enjoy reading Baldwin's exegesis, nor did I not find many nuggets of information and practical application, which I had not though of before.  The problem is her work is wonderful, I just wish there was more of it.  Therefore while this is work is suitable to personal study, I would advise pastors and teachers to use this work in conjunction with another commentary to help them in the dutiful task of expositing God's Word.

This book was provided to me free of charge from IVP Academic in exchange for an unbiased, honest review.