Publisher's Synopsis
Genesis: The First Book of Moses, Deluxe Edition
Meet Yahweh, or Jehovah, whom the King James translators euphemistically called the LORD in small caps. Yahweh is a blood god, who can only be sated by sacrifice and the mutilation of the male organ. Those who disobey him are killed or punished harshly; those who fear him and yet honour him, are protected and lifted up in a world building story as brutal as it is entertaining.
Observe Adam and Eve, the first man and woman, whose fateful choice in the Garden of Eden sets the stage for the human saga of free will, pleasure and pain, and the depths of depression and remorse. Their story explores the archetypal themes of innocence, fall from grace, and the quest for redemption, weaving a narrative that echoes in every human heart as Yahweh torments them for breaking his commandment to not eat of that sweet, sweet fruit of the tree of knowledge of good and evil.
Experience the shocking destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah, and the stunning loyalty of Lot, Abraham's brother, who is saved from destruction as the angels sent by Yahweh blind and debilitate, and then utterly destroy with fire and brimstone, all who stand in their way.
Follow Noah, the righteous man chosen to survive a cataclysmic flood, as he builds an ark and preserves the seed of humanity and creation. Noah's unwavering faith and obedience make him an enduring symbol of perseverance and hope amidst divine judgment and human wickedness, even as Yahweh destroys most of the earth and callously annihilates humanity.
Journey with Abraham, the patriarch whose unwavering faith and covenant with Yahweh mark him out as the eternal "chosen one." His willingness to sacrifice his son Isaac, his only son, out of fear of Yahweh, presages the Crucifixion, and tests the bounds of faith and obedience beyond the human, pushing on into the super-human and super-conscious.
Discover Sarah, whose story of longing and craving for motherhood adds depth to the themes of promise and fulfillment. Her laughter at the promise of Isaac's birth encapsulates the joy and surprise of divine intervention in human affairs, but her envy and jealousy of her handmaid Hagar makes her seethe with hate in a sizzling sexual triangle with her husband.
Walk alongside Jacob, the cunning and complex heir to Abraham's promise, who lies and steals his brother's blessing, and whose dreams and struggles with God define the archetype of the spiritual journey and transformation. His wrestling with the divine gives us the name Israel, meaning "he who struggles with God."
Meet Joseph, the dreamer and fantasiser whose descent into slavery and rise to power in Egypt illustrate themes of providence, forgiveness, and reconciliation. His narrative of betrayal and redemption mirrors the human cycle of suffering and triumph. The story of his eventual reconciliation with his brothers, who once tried to kill him, pre-sages the idea of forgiveness found in later Christianity.
"Genesis: The First Book of Moses" is more than a mythological text; it is a profound literary masterpiece filled with rich, archetypal characters and timeless themes. These stories form the twisted and distorted bedrock of Western spirituality and literature, ruling over the European heart and mind for twice a thousand years.
Dive into the ancient world and explore the lives, trials, and triumphs of the men and women who shaped the course of history and faith. Their stories, imbued with divine mystery and human drama, continue to inspire and challenge readers to this day, which is why they are still worth reading.
Richly illustrated with more than 80 black and white full-page pen-and-ink-styled illustrations. Includes an introduction by the artist.
