REVIEW: MYSTERIES OF THE MESSIAH by Rabbi Jason Sobel!

So...I've found myself interested in Jewish culture and beliefs thanks to watching the show The Chosen (which I believe Rabbi Sobel also consults on), so when I got the opportunity to read and review Mysteries of the Messiah, I was pretty excited.  Check out my review below, but first, here's a quick rundown about the book and its author, Rabbi Jason Sobel. 

 BLURB

Are you settling for half the story? Highlighting connections that have been hidden from non-Jewish eyes, Rabbi Jason Sobel will connect the dots between the Old and New Testament, helping you see the Bible with clarity as God intended.

Most people—even people of faith—do not understand how the Bible fits together. Too many Christians accept half an inheritance, content to embrace merely the New Testament, while Jewish people may often experience the same by embracing only the Old Testament. But God has an intricate plan and purpose for both the Old and the New.

In Mysteries of the Messiah, Rabbi Jason Sobel reveals the many connections in Scripture hidden in plain sight. Known for his emphatic declaration “but there’s more!” he guides us in seeing the passion and purpose of the Messiah. Mysteries of the Messiah:

• Uncovers connections between the Old and New Testaments
• Connects the dots for readers with details about Jesus, the Torah, and biblical characters
• Written with the unique perspective of a rabbi with an evangelical theological degree

No matter how many times you have read the Bible, Mysteries of the Messiah will bring fresh perspective and insight. God’s Word, written by many people over thousands of years, is not a random selection of people and stories. Rabbi Jason Sobel connects the dots and helps us see with clarity what God intended.

AMAZON | GOODREADS 

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Raised in a Jewish home in New Jersey, Rabbi Jason Sobel dedicated much of his life in pursuit of a spiritual connection with God. After years of seeking and studying, he encountered God and found his true destiny as a Jewish follower of Yeshua (Jesus). Suddenly, all the traditions Rabbi Jason grew up with took on new depth and meaning as God connected the ancient wisdom of the Torah with the teachings of the Messiah.

Rabbi Jason received his rabbinic ordination from the UMJC (Union of Messianic Jewish Congregations) in 2005. He has a B.A. in Jewish Studies (Moody) and an M.A. in Intercultural Studies (Southeastern Seminary). He is a sought-after speaker and has made multiple appearances on national television, including the Trinity Broadcasting Network, the Daystar Network, and the Dr. Oz Show. Rabbi Jason is the author of Breakthrough: Living a Life That Overflows, Aligning with God's Appointed Times, and he is also the coauthor of New York Times bestseller The Rock, the Road, and the Rabbi with Kathie Lee Gifford. You can learn more at www.rabbisobel.com


MY REVIEW 

If you want to take your understanding of the Bible, especially the connections between the Old Testament and New Testament (referred to after this point as OT and NT respectively), and exactly how much information gets lost in English translations from the original Hebrew text, this is definitely a good place to start. Rabbi Sobel does an excellent job of explaining the divide between Jewish beliefs and Christian beliefs, and what both Jewish and Christian culture and beliefs tend to miss by cherry-picking certain aspects of the Bible over others. It's truly eye opening and it will give you a much deeper appreciation for the importance of reading and understanding the Bible in its entirety, of dedicating time to study it, and of seeing Christ's influence throughout all of time.  Some of the parallels are absolutely breathtaking (like Mount Moriah, the mountain range where both Isaac and Christ were offered as sacrifice); others take a little bit of time to steep.  As a Christian, I found this book compelling and educational.  If you've ever wondered why it's important to study the OT because the NT "wiped away the need for the OT," this book will give you about 224 pages explaining why.  While some of the numerical values he brings up is a bit difficult to get through to begin with (Hebrew letters also have numerical value, which adds a whole new layer to the workings of the Bible), the rest of the book was easy enough to follow.  I'd say that if you enjoy nonfiction books, this is one you'll want to add to your TBR.  

Also, you can enter the giveaway for a copy of Mysteries of the Messiah here! 
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Have you watched The Chosen? Do you intend on reading Mysteries of the Messiah? What are some of your favorite nonfiction novels on Christianity?