Walk GENESIS! A Messianic Jewish Devotional Commentary for Readers of the Torah, Haftarah, and B’rit Chadashah

Jeffrey Enoch Feinberg, Ph.D.

Lederer Messianic Jewish Publishers, 1998 / 238 pages

Dr. Feinberg is congregational leader of Etz Chaim Messianic Congregation, Buffalo Grove, Illinois, and chair of the educational committee of the UMJC.

Walk GENESIS! is the first of a projected series of Messianic devotional volumes by Dr. Jeffrey Feinberg. [The second, Walk EXODUS!, has also been completed and is available from Lederer.] These very welcome volumes fill a need in the Messianic Jewish community for personal devotionals written by a Messianic leader, for Messianic Believers, following the traditional Torah and Haftarah cycle while integrating B’rit Chadashah teachings as well. Scripture quotations are from the Complete Jewish Bible, copyright by Dr. David Stern and published by Lederer.

The author has systematically arranged the devotionals on a 7-day pattern that leads from a general overview of the weekly parashah [to be read on Sunday] through daily Torah sections [Monday-Thursday], Haftarah and B’rit Chadashah portions [Friday], and concluding each week with ‘summary and application’ to be read on Shabbat. Throughout the study, the author emphasizes the Hebrew names for the Parashiot, personalities, places and events in order to familiarize the readers with the historical and cultural context of the Scripture passages. He also encourages his readers to meditate regularly on the Word, and to apply in a practical way what he or she has learned each week.

Feinberg has organized every element of his work to enhance the reader’s interest in and understanding of God’s Word. He introduces each parashah, for example, with an outline of the week’s sections, followed by a brief [2-page] ‘hiker’s log’ reviewing past portions, thus recalling how we got to this place. Next comes a description of ‘the trail ahead’—the preview of the week’s section--and then a 2-page Hebrew language study of the parashah’s opening verse.

The clever illustrations accompanying each section feature a little cartoon-style ‘hiker’ traveling through Genesis, sometimes with map in hand, sometimes with compass. At certain points, the ‘hiker’ moves smoothly, on roller blades or skateboard. At other times, such as in the parashah ‘Noach’, he rows a boat. And still other times—reading about the Fall of mankind in the Garden, for example—the hiker is pictured slipping on a banana peel!

Messianic Believers will be pleased to discover the helpful glossary of Hebrew terms at the end of the volume. Furthermore, the 5-page bibliography of suggested resource books will also prove a useful guide for those who want to expand their knowledge of Scripture and of theology in general. Clearly this list of sources is not intended to be exhaustive; rather, it is a good starting point for the serious student of the Word.

The content, structure, and goals of Walk GENESIS! all support Feinberg’s recommendation: "Begin your journey now." As you search the scriptures for yourself, with this volume as a practical guide, God will reveal Himself to you and show you new ways to enjoy the abundant life which the Messiah offers [see John 10:10].

Reviewed by Rae Wineland Newstad, Ph.D.

Associate Dean, College of Liberal Arts and Sciences

Azusa Pacific University, Azusa, CA