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Rediscovering Israel: A Fresh Look at God's Story in Its Historical and Cultural Contexts
See the Bible through a New Lens, from Beginning to End
In Rediscovering Israel , you will experience the living God and His Word as never before! Bestselling author and professor Kristi McLelland invites you to explore the biblical narrative in the historical, cultural, geographic, and linguistic contexts in which it was written. As you do so, you will Whether you are preparing for pilgrimage to Israel or you desire to experience a fresh encounter with Scripture, Rediscovering Israel offers a welcome blend of biblical truth, faithful research, and personal reflections that will enrich your interactions with God’s Word.
In Rediscovering Israel , you will experience the living God and His Word as never before! Bestselling author and professor Kristi McLelland invites you to explore the biblical narrative in the historical, cultural, geographic, and linguistic contexts in which it was written. As you do so, you will Whether you are preparing for pilgrimage to Israel or you desire to experience a fresh encounter with Scripture, Rediscovering Israel offers a welcome blend of biblical truth, faithful research, and personal reflections that will enrich your interactions with God’s Word.
245 pages, Kindle Edition
Published October 3, 2023
167 people are currently reading
593 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 98 reviews
November 24, 2023
Amazing! The subtitle of this book better explains what the book is about than the main title. It’s a “fresh look at God’s story in its historical and cultural contexts.”
This is so much more than a book about the land of Israel (although it is that too). This is a book that helps us understand the story of the Bible, from Genesis to Revelation. It forces us to remove our Western lenses and to stop thinking in our more Greco-Roman way. Instead, we are asked to put on a Middle Eastern lens and to start thinking like the culture in the Jewish world of 2,000 and more years ago.
I have been a student of the Bible for close to 50 years, but exploring "the biblical narrative in the historical, cultural, geographic, and linguistic contexts in which it was written" is a game-changer. My copy of this book is highlighted on almost every page. I highly recommend it to everyone who wants to understand the Bible better today than they did yesterday.
Robin’s Ratings
5🌟 = Out of this world. Amazing. Unforgettable. A personal favorite.
4🌟 = Loved/really enjoyed it. Will recommend to others.
3🌟 = Liked it. Glad I read it. Engaging/entertaining/interesting.
2🌟 = The book was okay, but I’ve enjoyed other books so much more.
1🌟 = For whatever reason, I didn’t like it and can’t recommend it.
This is so much more than a book about the land of Israel (although it is that too). This is a book that helps us understand the story of the Bible, from Genesis to Revelation. It forces us to remove our Western lenses and to stop thinking in our more Greco-Roman way. Instead, we are asked to put on a Middle Eastern lens and to start thinking like the culture in the Jewish world of 2,000 and more years ago.
I have been a student of the Bible for close to 50 years, but exploring "the biblical narrative in the historical, cultural, geographic, and linguistic contexts in which it was written" is a game-changer. My copy of this book is highlighted on almost every page. I highly recommend it to everyone who wants to understand the Bible better today than they did yesterday.
Robin’s Ratings
5🌟 = Out of this world. Amazing. Unforgettable. A personal favorite.
4🌟 = Loved/really enjoyed it. Will recommend to others.
3🌟 = Liked it. Glad I read it. Engaging/entertaining/interesting.
2🌟 = The book was okay, but I’ve enjoyed other books so much more.
1🌟 = For whatever reason, I didn’t like it and can’t recommend it.
September 27, 2023
Rediscovering Israel is an overview of the Bible exploring Biblical narratives through a Middle Eastern context. The author, Kristi McLelland, explores passages in the Bible providing a cultural understanding to events that occurred in history and to better understand more immensely who the Living God really is. He is a God who loves His people and keeps coming closer and closer, from hovering in Genesis to being in at Pentecost. She strings together “pearls” which are beautiful explanations of narratives to create a full picture of the Bible from Genesis to Revelation.
Kristi brings the Bible to life, providing explanations as to why God or the Hebrew people would act or respond in a certain way. For example, why would Jesus choose his disciples? The significance is in that time, disciples chose their rabbi to follow and the rabbi would then either accept or reject. However, Jesus reaches out to people, a couple being Matthew a tax collector and Simon the zealot. Jesus reaches out saying, “Come follow Me. Come be My disciple. I think you can be just like Me.” (202). He still does this today.
God knows exactly where you are. As Kristi states in the book “So many of the Biblical stories are about God coming and finding us, not about us having to go find God.” (21) This book, Rediscovering Israel, is a perfect supplement to have as a reference when reading the Bible. It gives a wonderful explanation to several historical and cultural nuances that may be unfamiliar to those living in or from a Western culture. It’s a great reminder to look at passages through a Middle Eastern Lens, after all, the Bible was “primarily written by Middle Easterners in a Middle Eastern context.” (41) Who knows, maybe you too will find out God is better than you ever knew.
Kristi brings the Bible to life, providing explanations as to why God or the Hebrew people would act or respond in a certain way. For example, why would Jesus choose his disciples? The significance is in that time, disciples chose their rabbi to follow and the rabbi would then either accept or reject. However, Jesus reaches out to people, a couple being Matthew a tax collector and Simon the zealot. Jesus reaches out saying, “Come follow Me. Come be My disciple. I think you can be just like Me.” (202). He still does this today.
God knows exactly where you are. As Kristi states in the book “So many of the Biblical stories are about God coming and finding us, not about us having to go find God.” (21) This book, Rediscovering Israel, is a perfect supplement to have as a reference when reading the Bible. It gives a wonderful explanation to several historical and cultural nuances that may be unfamiliar to those living in or from a Western culture. It’s a great reminder to look at passages through a Middle Eastern Lens, after all, the Bible was “primarily written by Middle Easterners in a Middle Eastern context.” (41) Who knows, maybe you too will find out God is better than you ever knew.
September 27, 2023
While reading Kristi’s very insightful new book, “Rediscovering Israel,” it struck me that it could also be aptly titled “Rediscovering the Bible.” Kristi does far more than just take us on a geographical and cultural tour of that profoundly significant piece of real estate. She unfolds Israel’s story against the backdrop of the Bible’s overarching narrative by “stringing the biblical pearls together” (as Kristi would say it) from Genesis to Revelation. And she does it masterfully through its historical, theological, and Middle Eastern cultural context. But she doesn’t just tell the story. She has a unique gift for taking events that took place in Jewish antiquity and weaving them into life here and now in a way that is personally challenging and spiritually compelling.
In “Rediscovering Israel,” Kristi includes illustrations, pictures, graphs, tables, and maps to help visualize the land and bring the stories to life. Then, to help introduce herself, she adds a few photos with family, teams she’s led, and people who have influenced her life and work. This book is not just representative of what she’s learned and how she views and interprets Israel’s history. In many ways, it’s a composite picture of who she is – as a Bible professor/teacher, a scholar, and most importantly, as a person who is a deeply committed follower of Christ.
Having traveled the land with Kristi and one of her teams recently, reading “Rediscovering Israel” allowed me to do exactly that, but it also left me pondering one of those unforgettable “Kristi-isms.” She says, "Studying and exploring the land taught me more than its history. I learned that the living God is better than I ever thought.” Whether you’re “rediscovering Israel” like me, or just beginning to discover it, Kristi’s gifted writing will help guide you toward that same realization.
Ron Gallagher
In “Rediscovering Israel,” Kristi includes illustrations, pictures, graphs, tables, and maps to help visualize the land and bring the stories to life. Then, to help introduce herself, she adds a few photos with family, teams she’s led, and people who have influenced her life and work. This book is not just representative of what she’s learned and how she views and interprets Israel’s history. In many ways, it’s a composite picture of who she is – as a Bible professor/teacher, a scholar, and most importantly, as a person who is a deeply committed follower of Christ.
Having traveled the land with Kristi and one of her teams recently, reading “Rediscovering Israel” allowed me to do exactly that, but it also left me pondering one of those unforgettable “Kristi-isms.” She says, "Studying and exploring the land taught me more than its history. I learned that the living God is better than I ever thought.” Whether you’re “rediscovering Israel” like me, or just beginning to discover it, Kristi’s gifted writing will help guide you toward that same realization.
Ron Gallagher
October 3, 2023
In Rediscovering Israel, Kristi truly unravels the biblical and historical timeline in such a narrative way that encourages me to continue to read my Bible with new lenses - the cultural Jewish middle eastern lenses.
I “discovered” Kristi six years ago and my life has forever changed in how I see and eat the Word. I first sat through her teaching on Israel in 2017 before having the privilege of going to Israel with her in 2018.
Kristi brings great revelation and clarity to a book I’ve read all of my six decades of life. I read my Bible now with much better understanding and clarity. I have always wondered what happened in 400 “silent” years and how Sadducees and Pharisees came about in the New Testament! Kristi does an amazing job of explaining that God was not inactive but preparing the way for our Savior.
Thank you Kristi for this book!! I hear your voice on each page and thoroughly enjoyed the personal touches you included. I’ve shared your teachings via audio and DVD with my world the past six years. Now I get to share it in book form. Thank you for the journey of a lifetime. My prayer is for readers to enjoy this journey to Israel on written page and in person with you if possible.
I “discovered” Kristi six years ago and my life has forever changed in how I see and eat the Word. I first sat through her teaching on Israel in 2017 before having the privilege of going to Israel with her in 2018.
Kristi brings great revelation and clarity to a book I’ve read all of my six decades of life. I read my Bible now with much better understanding and clarity. I have always wondered what happened in 400 “silent” years and how Sadducees and Pharisees came about in the New Testament! Kristi does an amazing job of explaining that God was not inactive but preparing the way for our Savior.
Thank you Kristi for this book!! I hear your voice on each page and thoroughly enjoyed the personal touches you included. I’ve shared your teachings via audio and DVD with my world the past six years. Now I get to share it in book form. Thank you for the journey of a lifetime. My prayer is for readers to enjoy this journey to Israel on written page and in person with you if possible.
September 28, 2023
Over the last three years, I've been following Kristi and her non-Western approach to biblical teaching as, in her words, she "strings the pearls of the Bible" together into "One Story". Through biblical reference, she teaches us that the Bible is meant to be read and "feasted" upon, from beginning to end and in that order, just as we would read any book.
How I wish I had been introduced so much earlier to the "Middle Eastern" perspective through which Kristi teaches, writes, and guides Bible study groups through the very land where Jesus lived, walked and ministered, as He proclaimed His Good News. Understanding the Middle Eastern view and context vs. our Western view of the Bible has so richly added to my understanding of who the living God is, His heart for His people, and the shalom He wants all of us to live in as we follow in His ways.
In this new book, "Rediscovering Israel", Kristi walks us through God’s Story to us, from Genesis to Revelation. The Bible wasn’t written by those living in our Western culture, but in the Middle East. So understanding their own culture, language, history, and geography is crucial to rightly understanding the “one” cohesive Story of the Bible in the context that God wants us to ‘hear, know, and respond’ to.
How better to do that than to know about their cultural traditions as they impact our understanding, to correctly translate the original Hebraic and Greek languages which is crucial to the story, and to understand the importance God gave to “time and place” where things happened throughout the Scriptures. “Location, location, location.” You’ll learn just how vital, how purposeful, every location was in working out God’s plan from the very beginning.
I am so grateful for how God is once again using Kristi’s gifts to help us better understand and be moved to better serve our living God.
How I wish I had been introduced so much earlier to the "Middle Eastern" perspective through which Kristi teaches, writes, and guides Bible study groups through the very land where Jesus lived, walked and ministered, as He proclaimed His Good News. Understanding the Middle Eastern view and context vs. our Western view of the Bible has so richly added to my understanding of who the living God is, His heart for His people, and the shalom He wants all of us to live in as we follow in His ways.
In this new book, "Rediscovering Israel", Kristi walks us through God’s Story to us, from Genesis to Revelation. The Bible wasn’t written by those living in our Western culture, but in the Middle East. So understanding their own culture, language, history, and geography is crucial to rightly understanding the “one” cohesive Story of the Bible in the context that God wants us to ‘hear, know, and respond’ to.
How better to do that than to know about their cultural traditions as they impact our understanding, to correctly translate the original Hebraic and Greek languages which is crucial to the story, and to understand the importance God gave to “time and place” where things happened throughout the Scriptures. “Location, location, location.” You’ll learn just how vital, how purposeful, every location was in working out God’s plan from the very beginning.
I am so grateful for how God is once again using Kristi’s gifts to help us better understand and be moved to better serve our living God.
September 23, 2023
I had the privilege of traveling to Israel with Kristi in March of 2023, after having twice attended her 12 session feast on the land of Israel. This feast included her overview of the entire Bible from a Middle Eastern perspective.
When given the opportunity, I purchased these audio teachings and have listened to them more times than I can count. Each time I listened, I gained more understanding of the Word of God as I added to my copious pages of handwritten notes. I had hoped and prayed that Kristi would put these priceless insights into a book.
With that being said, I am beyond thrilled that the knowledge that she has gained, while studying in and continually visiting the land of Israel, is now available in her book- Rediscovering Israel.
My understanding of the Bible will never be the same because of the historical and cultural clarity she brings to the table. I am sure that both new believers and mature Christians will be blessed by the insights this book will provide as they feast on the Word of God through the Holy Spirit.
When given the opportunity, I purchased these audio teachings and have listened to them more times than I can count. Each time I listened, I gained more understanding of the Word of God as I added to my copious pages of handwritten notes. I had hoped and prayed that Kristi would put these priceless insights into a book.
With that being said, I am beyond thrilled that the knowledge that she has gained, while studying in and continually visiting the land of Israel, is now available in her book- Rediscovering Israel.
My understanding of the Bible will never be the same because of the historical and cultural clarity she brings to the table. I am sure that both new believers and mature Christians will be blessed by the insights this book will provide as they feast on the Word of God through the Holy Spirit.
September 30, 2023
Kristi McLelland teaches that the Bible is one story that is best read from beginning to end. Rediscovering Israel takes you on a journey through God's Story showing how truly amazing the Word of God is and how greatly God loves us. Looking at scripture in its historical, cultural, and geographical contexts adds a richer understanding that makes me love the Bible even more. A few years ago I had the privilege of traveling to Israel with Kristi. While reading Rediscovering Israel I felt as though I was back in that holy land.
April 13, 2024
Incredible, incredible, INCREDIBLE!
This book has opened my eyes to the culture surrounding Abraham all the way to Jesus and his disciples. It has energized my Bible study and fueled my understanding of Jesus’ ministry.
I borrowed this book from my mother and now I’ve bought this book for my personal library. One reading of this book is not enough!
This book has opened my eyes to the culture surrounding Abraham all the way to Jesus and his disciples. It has energized my Bible study and fueled my understanding of Jesus’ ministry.
I borrowed this book from my mother and now I’ve bought this book for my personal library. One reading of this book is not enough!
November 15, 2024
Fantastic! Kristi gives an overview of the entire Bible. She answers questions of why the location of Israel was chosen and weaves together the Old and New Testaments. She is very easy to follow and brings new insight to familiar passages. Loved it!
November 7, 2025
3.5 maybe. I am mixed. In some ways, this book wasn’t exactly what I was expecting or wanting. I wanted more about ancient Jewish context. And there WAS some of that. But it felt like the book was more about the narrative arc of Scripture from Genesis to Revelation. She was stringing the pearls together to create the full necklace. The ancient historical nuggets that were in there were good. And it would probably be really good for those new to the faith or who haven’t read or studied the Scriptures in chronological order. That said, I still learned from her. She is clearly a passionate, knowledgeable, and highly capable teacher.
January 6, 2025
I learned so much from this book. The pearls that she strings together from the beginning of the Bible to the end bring out so many details that I would not have put together on my own. This is the Bible from the Middle Eastern point of view. I read this book with my small group from church. There were so many interesting discussions. Highly recommend as a group read!
May 17, 2024
So interesting! I learned so much!
June 15, 2024
This is a book I will reread and refer back to many times.
June 28, 2024
Really enjoyed this, like a Birds Eye view of the whole of scripture!
July 30, 2024
The content of this book is a 5 and I learned some things. The author’s style is not my cup of tea. So, although I give it a 4, I do recommend this book as a great overview of the Bible and the gospel.
August 3, 2025
Phenomenal. I learned so much from this book and it really opened my eyes to the Bible as one big story and not just a bunch of isolated stories. Highly recommend this to anyone and everyone.
June 12, 2025
If you don’t listen to anything else I say EVER, please read this book!!
My mom and I have been going through it together and I was so sad when it came to an end.
This book beautifully mosaics the Bible with its respective cultural and geographic history. Kristi McLelland has so much wisdom to share and has dedicated her life to opening believers eyes to what first century Christianity was like. Every chapter left me more and more filled and I feel like I can more adequately read the Gospel!
My mom and I have been going through it together and I was so sad when it came to an end.
This book beautifully mosaics the Bible with its respective cultural and geographic history. Kristi McLelland has so much wisdom to share and has dedicated her life to opening believers eyes to what first century Christianity was like. Every chapter left me more and more filled and I feel like I can more adequately read the Gospel!
August 22, 2024
McLelland takes you through God's story Genesis to Revelation and retunes our Western eyes with an Eastern perspective of the land, culture, and the context of whole story of the Bible. What is our mission in a fallen world? Are we to withdraw from the world to stay holy, or is God inviting us to join Him in engaging (all people of the world)? Jesus did not come to save us from world. He saves us from our sin to be sent out into the world. Such a wonderful book to read!
June 25, 2025
This was my second time reading this and loved it even more the second time. God’s grace and goodness is so evident all around us!
June 22, 2024
Ch 1
When Jacob wrestles, he is asked his name- he replies Yaakov, which is a confession- I am a heel snatcher, a deceiver. And God gives him a new name Israel. Our name is our destiny.
We look at scripture as what it means for me in my life, but we should look to scripture to learn who God is
Ch 2
What does this teach me about myself?
Versus
What does this teach me about God?
We study to acquire knowledge. Middle eastern people study to revere God
How would you read scripture differently if instead of studying to learn something, you are to studying to encounter someone?
Ch 3
It took God one night to get the Israelites out of Egypt, but 40 years to heal then and get Egypt out of them
Rabbi said, write during the desert times. The question should not be how do I get out of the desert? But God, how do I carry the lessons of the desert with me? How do I not lose these things?
Ch 4
Joshua-Ruth
Sometimes we have to stretch our hands out and trust that God will part the waters
If we live under his rule and reign , if we live under his instruction, we are better positioned to experience shalom- a sense of harmony and wholeness
GK Chesterton- man cannot break the laws of God, he can only break himself against them
The time of judges is when every man did as he saw fit
God goes with us to our self imposed exile
The reward is always on the other side of obedience
Chapter 5- 1Samuel-1Kings
The Bible is not about how lost people find their way home, but how God looks for lost people to bring them home
God let none of Samuel’s words fall to the ground
God also says in Isaiah 55 that none of his words come back empty
You are not to take the name of the lord in vain
Actually means- you are not to carry the name of the lord like it is nothing
When we put something or someone on the throne, we are switching from God on throne of I will, I will, to the human god I take, I take
David is a grown man, a slinger, he attacks from afar. Goliath falls face forward just like the Phillis time god, Dagon, when the arc of the covenant is placed in the temple
Ch 6- the divided kingdom
We aren’t lakes, we are rivers. The word of the Lord comes to us and is meant to flow through us to others.
Solomon took nearly twice the time building his own palace than God’s temple
What am I holding fast to? God or something else. Where is my time spent?
God’s covenant is unilateral- it relies on him alone, not on us.
I will be found by you- God says in Jeremiah
Ch 7- The Remnant Returns
721BC- Northern Kingdom of Israel falls and 10 of the 12 tribes are absorbed by Assyria
587-586BC- Jerusalem in the Southwrn Kingsdom if Judah falls to Babylonians
538BC- Zerubbabel leads first remnant return to rebuild the Temple- story told in Ezra 1-6
Altar is the 1st thing built. We might want a wall first, but God is their wall of fire.
The book of Esther happens between Ezra 6 and 7 around 483-482BC
458 BC- Ezra leads the 2nd remnant back to reinstate the mitzvot- the laws. Story told in Ezra 7-10
445BC- Nehemiah, the kings cupbearer, leads the 3rd remnant who rebuilt the wall around Jerusalem
NT ends around 430BC with Malachi
When looking for God’s will? Think what makes you mad/sad
Chapter 8- The intertestamental period
About 400 years
At end of OT, Persia ruled
Greeks conquered Persians with Alexander the Great
Jewish theologian and rabbi Joshua Heckel says, “ the Greeks learned in order to comprehend. The Hebrews learned in order to revere. The modern man learns in order to use.”
Jews have celebrations, Greeks have entertainment. Entertainment has a passive stance. Celebration an active
When the Romans conquer the Greeks- the military becomes Roman, but the culture stays Greek. Greek Vegas style culture infects the Romans. And here is where we get Greco-Roman culture- Greek gods but with Roman names
American culture is much more Greco-Roman than Jewish
Amusing ourselves to Death- book by Neil Postman
Delves into our addiction to entertainment
In order to stop the Greek way from infecting the Jewish culture, Pharisees, sadducees, essenes, and eventually Zealots rise up to preserve, protect and honor Jewish way of life.
Pharisees are blue collar, they have other jobs, they teach the mosaic law in synagogues.
Saducces are aristocrats, Temple service in Herusakem highest priority, many serve in important court Sanhedrin.
Essenes- are the purist. In order to combat Greek influence they move to the judean dessert to a place called Qumran- where they scribe the Dead Sea Scrolls. Some believe John the Baptist was an Essene.
Alexander the Great dies and his rule is divided into 4 of his military generals-
One is Ptolemy- which is where Cleopatra came from- she is Greek, but ruled over Egypt. Her lover was Mark Anthony
2nd-Seleucid- Seleucid empire forces Jews to become Hellinized. Antiochus Epiphanes forbids the Torah, outlaws feasts,bans the Sabbath. He has a pig sacrificed on the altar in the Temple which is what starts the Maccabean Revolt which was initiated by Mattathias. The Maccabean Revolt lasted 7 years from 167-160 BC.
Hanakkah- menorah always kept lit, it represented that God was present. During the war, they only have enough oil for one night, but miraculously it burns for 8 days
Chapter 9- Herod the Great
Cleopatra VII, whose dad was Ptolemy XII died in 51 BC and she, a Greek, took the throne in Egypt
Mark Anthony, the Roman nominated Herod to reign as king of Judea. They all know each other. Herod takes throne in 37 BC. Herod knows the Mark Antony’s lover Cleopatra wants his possessions and wants him dead. The one place that baby Jesus is sent is the one place that Herod isn’t going- Egypt.
Jesus, the resurrection of humanity, flees to Egypt while Herod kills all the babies in Bethlehem. Isn’t this reminiscent of when Moses, the deliver of Israelites, flies from Egypt when all the babies are killed. Here is a hint that Jesus is a seconds Moses.
Herod builds a Vegas like city called Caesarea.
Masada- is where 1,000 Israelis laid down their lives in order to not be captured by Romans
Ch 10- The Gospels :part 1
Are we a people of retreat or engagement?
God gets closer and closer- hovering in Gen 1, in desert lives in tabernacles, in NT God made flesh and lives among us, after Pentecost the Holy Spirit lives in us
In Luke 10, Jesus sends out 72- which probably had women- Luke 24- 2 disciples invite Jesus in on the road to Emmaus- could they have been mr and Mrs Cleopas
Jesus is always inviting us to move from chaos to calm.
We are heading to a place where there will be no more chaos
Ch 11- The Gospels: part 2
Caesarea Philippi- is located in Golan Heights at the base of Mount Hermon where a Roman temple was built in front of an enormous hole in the side of the mountain - where most believed was the entrance to Hades
Jesus tells Peter- on this rock I will build my church talking about the rock that he is standing on, the gates to hell. Not scared to storm the gates of hell.
Holiness is not about abstaining from sin and avoiding hell; no it is engaging in actions that bring the kingdom if God in our midst
The plot to kill Jesus starts when Jesus raises Lazarus- why? Because Jesus us moving too close to Jerusalem where those in power are trying to hold on to their power
Gethsemane- Gat means grapes, Shemen means oil- this is a place of pressing. Jesus is pressed and sweats blood here
Peter cuts off Malchus’ ear- high priest cannot be deformed or maimed
Jesus is beginning the words of Psam 22 on the cross giving the book and chapter and verse was not possible
Magdalene is the new Eve. When Jesus opens her eyes to the resurrected Jesus in a garden
Jesus reinstates Peter and fast forward to when Peter addresses a crowd and 3,000 believe- Peter gives us hope that Jesus knows how to redeem and restore us when we fail.
We think holiness is abstaining, what not to do, but it is not absence it is about presence.
Chapter 12- Tikkun Olam
Sim Lev- Lev -heart, sim- set upon
Discipleship- walk so close that the dust of his sandals gets on you
Jesus taught on the go.
We don’t just want to know what Jesus knew, we want to live like he lived
Tikkun olam- the repair of the world- Jesus welcomes us to help in the repair of the world- but don’t think it won’t cost you
Your kingdom come as earth as it is in heaven- we don’t have to wait for heaven- heaven can be now
Real life change comes from close proximity to Jesus
Orthodoxy versus orthopraxy
Right thinking vs right living
Joseph Campbell- the cave you fear to enter holds the treasure you seek
The lion witch and the wardrobe- let us go and take the adventure that shall fall to us
When Jacob wrestles, he is asked his name- he replies Yaakov, which is a confession- I am a heel snatcher, a deceiver. And God gives him a new name Israel. Our name is our destiny.
We look at scripture as what it means for me in my life, but we should look to scripture to learn who God is
Ch 2
What does this teach me about myself?
Versus
What does this teach me about God?
We study to acquire knowledge. Middle eastern people study to revere God
How would you read scripture differently if instead of studying to learn something, you are to studying to encounter someone?
Ch 3
It took God one night to get the Israelites out of Egypt, but 40 years to heal then and get Egypt out of them
Rabbi said, write during the desert times. The question should not be how do I get out of the desert? But God, how do I carry the lessons of the desert with me? How do I not lose these things?
Ch 4
Joshua-Ruth
Sometimes we have to stretch our hands out and trust that God will part the waters
If we live under his rule and reign , if we live under his instruction, we are better positioned to experience shalom- a sense of harmony and wholeness
GK Chesterton- man cannot break the laws of God, he can only break himself against them
The time of judges is when every man did as he saw fit
God goes with us to our self imposed exile
The reward is always on the other side of obedience
Chapter 5- 1Samuel-1Kings
The Bible is not about how lost people find their way home, but how God looks for lost people to bring them home
God let none of Samuel’s words fall to the ground
God also says in Isaiah 55 that none of his words come back empty
You are not to take the name of the lord in vain
Actually means- you are not to carry the name of the lord like it is nothing
When we put something or someone on the throne, we are switching from God on throne of I will, I will, to the human god I take, I take
David is a grown man, a slinger, he attacks from afar. Goliath falls face forward just like the Phillis time god, Dagon, when the arc of the covenant is placed in the temple
Ch 6- the divided kingdom
We aren’t lakes, we are rivers. The word of the Lord comes to us and is meant to flow through us to others.
Solomon took nearly twice the time building his own palace than God’s temple
What am I holding fast to? God or something else. Where is my time spent?
God’s covenant is unilateral- it relies on him alone, not on us.
I will be found by you- God says in Jeremiah
Ch 7- The Remnant Returns
721BC- Northern Kingdom of Israel falls and 10 of the 12 tribes are absorbed by Assyria
587-586BC- Jerusalem in the Southwrn Kingsdom if Judah falls to Babylonians
538BC- Zerubbabel leads first remnant return to rebuild the Temple- story told in Ezra 1-6
Altar is the 1st thing built. We might want a wall first, but God is their wall of fire.
The book of Esther happens between Ezra 6 and 7 around 483-482BC
458 BC- Ezra leads the 2nd remnant back to reinstate the mitzvot- the laws. Story told in Ezra 7-10
445BC- Nehemiah, the kings cupbearer, leads the 3rd remnant who rebuilt the wall around Jerusalem
NT ends around 430BC with Malachi
When looking for God’s will? Think what makes you mad/sad
Chapter 8- The intertestamental period
About 400 years
At end of OT, Persia ruled
Greeks conquered Persians with Alexander the Great
Jewish theologian and rabbi Joshua Heckel says, “ the Greeks learned in order to comprehend. The Hebrews learned in order to revere. The modern man learns in order to use.”
Jews have celebrations, Greeks have entertainment. Entertainment has a passive stance. Celebration an active
When the Romans conquer the Greeks- the military becomes Roman, but the culture stays Greek. Greek Vegas style culture infects the Romans. And here is where we get Greco-Roman culture- Greek gods but with Roman names
American culture is much more Greco-Roman than Jewish
Amusing ourselves to Death- book by Neil Postman
Delves into our addiction to entertainment
In order to stop the Greek way from infecting the Jewish culture, Pharisees, sadducees, essenes, and eventually Zealots rise up to preserve, protect and honor Jewish way of life.
Pharisees are blue collar, they have other jobs, they teach the mosaic law in synagogues.
Saducces are aristocrats, Temple service in Herusakem highest priority, many serve in important court Sanhedrin.
Essenes- are the purist. In order to combat Greek influence they move to the judean dessert to a place called Qumran- where they scribe the Dead Sea Scrolls. Some believe John the Baptist was an Essene.
Alexander the Great dies and his rule is divided into 4 of his military generals-
One is Ptolemy- which is where Cleopatra came from- she is Greek, but ruled over Egypt. Her lover was Mark Anthony
2nd-Seleucid- Seleucid empire forces Jews to become Hellinized. Antiochus Epiphanes forbids the Torah, outlaws feasts,bans the Sabbath. He has a pig sacrificed on the altar in the Temple which is what starts the Maccabean Revolt which was initiated by Mattathias. The Maccabean Revolt lasted 7 years from 167-160 BC.
Hanakkah- menorah always kept lit, it represented that God was present. During the war, they only have enough oil for one night, but miraculously it burns for 8 days
Chapter 9- Herod the Great
Cleopatra VII, whose dad was Ptolemy XII died in 51 BC and she, a Greek, took the throne in Egypt
Mark Anthony, the Roman nominated Herod to reign as king of Judea. They all know each other. Herod takes throne in 37 BC. Herod knows the Mark Antony’s lover Cleopatra wants his possessions and wants him dead. The one place that baby Jesus is sent is the one place that Herod isn’t going- Egypt.
Jesus, the resurrection of humanity, flees to Egypt while Herod kills all the babies in Bethlehem. Isn’t this reminiscent of when Moses, the deliver of Israelites, flies from Egypt when all the babies are killed. Here is a hint that Jesus is a seconds Moses.
Herod builds a Vegas like city called Caesarea.
Masada- is where 1,000 Israelis laid down their lives in order to not be captured by Romans
Ch 10- The Gospels :part 1
Are we a people of retreat or engagement?
God gets closer and closer- hovering in Gen 1, in desert lives in tabernacles, in NT God made flesh and lives among us, after Pentecost the Holy Spirit lives in us
In Luke 10, Jesus sends out 72- which probably had women- Luke 24- 2 disciples invite Jesus in on the road to Emmaus- could they have been mr and Mrs Cleopas
Jesus is always inviting us to move from chaos to calm.
We are heading to a place where there will be no more chaos
Ch 11- The Gospels: part 2
Caesarea Philippi- is located in Golan Heights at the base of Mount Hermon where a Roman temple was built in front of an enormous hole in the side of the mountain - where most believed was the entrance to Hades
Jesus tells Peter- on this rock I will build my church talking about the rock that he is standing on, the gates to hell. Not scared to storm the gates of hell.
Holiness is not about abstaining from sin and avoiding hell; no it is engaging in actions that bring the kingdom if God in our midst
The plot to kill Jesus starts when Jesus raises Lazarus- why? Because Jesus us moving too close to Jerusalem where those in power are trying to hold on to their power
Gethsemane- Gat means grapes, Shemen means oil- this is a place of pressing. Jesus is pressed and sweats blood here
Peter cuts off Malchus’ ear- high priest cannot be deformed or maimed
Jesus is beginning the words of Psam 22 on the cross giving the book and chapter and verse was not possible
Magdalene is the new Eve. When Jesus opens her eyes to the resurrected Jesus in a garden
Jesus reinstates Peter and fast forward to when Peter addresses a crowd and 3,000 believe- Peter gives us hope that Jesus knows how to redeem and restore us when we fail.
We think holiness is abstaining, what not to do, but it is not absence it is about presence.
Chapter 12- Tikkun Olam
Sim Lev- Lev -heart, sim- set upon
Discipleship- walk so close that the dust of his sandals gets on you
Jesus taught on the go.
We don’t just want to know what Jesus knew, we want to live like he lived
Tikkun olam- the repair of the world- Jesus welcomes us to help in the repair of the world- but don’t think it won’t cost you
Your kingdom come as earth as it is in heaven- we don’t have to wait for heaven- heaven can be now
Real life change comes from close proximity to Jesus
Orthodoxy versus orthopraxy
Right thinking vs right living
Joseph Campbell- the cave you fear to enter holds the treasure you seek
The lion witch and the wardrobe- let us go and take the adventure that shall fall to us
July 8, 2024
After leading a small group study through Kristi’s Gospel on the Ground, I was hoping to get more out of this book than I did the study. While the book does present some good, helpful historical and cultural context to the Bible, and does give a decent overview of the biblical meta-narrative, it repeats a lot of the same things presented in Gospel on the Ground and contains several things that are problematic.
The first thing, not a huge thing, is that she explains that Abram/Abraham would have been pronounced Avram/Avraham in Hebrew. All well and good, but then she uses Avram/Avraham throughout the rest of the book instead of Abram/Abraham, like our English Bible translations. She doesn’t explain the reason for this and doesn’t do this with any other person from the Bible. But every time she mentions Avram/Avraham, it was distracting throughout the book. She does this with a few other Hebrew or Greek words (not names), but it does not add any helpful clarity. It just seems to be a method to try to validate her expertise.
Second, and more problematic, is she presents interpretations of biblical passages from her Middle Eastern lens, as though these are new discoveries that only people who have been to the Middle East and studied the culture as she has can know and understand. Some of these interpretations were different than historically agreed upon interpretations of texts, thus discrediting historical theologians and scholars and elevating her special knowledge. In some cases the cultural lens she is presenting could enhance the interpretation of a passage without changing the meaning, like seeing another facet, however, she does not present it that way. She says things like, “The next time we see Jesus in the Story, He is thirty years old. I believe that historically and culturally, we have a good idea of what Jesus was doing from twelve to thirty. He was living in Nazareth, learning to be a tekton alongside Joseph, He was also studying Torah for hours a day, preparing to be a rabbi.” She implies here and in Gospel in the Ground that Jesus was among the elite young Jewish boys that was educated under a Rabbi; however, John 7:15 says, “The Jews then were astonished, saying, “How has this man become learned, having never been educated?”” I’m sure Jesus studied Scripture in a lot of his free time (“And Jesus increased in wisdom and in stature and in favor with God and man.” Luke 2:52), but Kristi implies that he studied formally under a Rabbi with the goal of becoming a Rabbi, which contradicts Scripture.
In another instance she reinterprets Matthew 16:18, “I tell you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church.” This has been a debated passage for millennia, yet because she has visited the city where Jesus spoke these words, she now has the correct interpretation that all scholars and theologians from centuries past have missed? Perhaps the locational context and object lesson could add a facet to the meaning, but Jesus did not teach in such one-dimensional ways. His object lessons pointed to much bigger spiritual truths that often had multiple dimensions (already and not yet meanings).
Overall, I would give this book two stars. I felt like much of the book was a promotion for her guided tours to Israel and the Middle East. There are much better books from which to learn about the ancient Middle East and Greco-Roman cultures as applied to the biblical narrative. This book is written at about an 8th grade reading level, with a lot of repetition, which, I assume, means that its audience is meant to be lay people. While many things are helpful in the book, my fear is that most lay people reading the book will not have the discernment to see the red flags and just believe everything Kristi presents as wonderful new insights that shine light on Scripture as never before - which is a form on Gnosticism.
The first thing, not a huge thing, is that she explains that Abram/Abraham would have been pronounced Avram/Avraham in Hebrew. All well and good, but then she uses Avram/Avraham throughout the rest of the book instead of Abram/Abraham, like our English Bible translations. She doesn’t explain the reason for this and doesn’t do this with any other person from the Bible. But every time she mentions Avram/Avraham, it was distracting throughout the book. She does this with a few other Hebrew or Greek words (not names), but it does not add any helpful clarity. It just seems to be a method to try to validate her expertise.
Second, and more problematic, is she presents interpretations of biblical passages from her Middle Eastern lens, as though these are new discoveries that only people who have been to the Middle East and studied the culture as she has can know and understand. Some of these interpretations were different than historically agreed upon interpretations of texts, thus discrediting historical theologians and scholars and elevating her special knowledge. In some cases the cultural lens she is presenting could enhance the interpretation of a passage without changing the meaning, like seeing another facet, however, she does not present it that way. She says things like, “The next time we see Jesus in the Story, He is thirty years old. I believe that historically and culturally, we have a good idea of what Jesus was doing from twelve to thirty. He was living in Nazareth, learning to be a tekton alongside Joseph, He was also studying Torah for hours a day, preparing to be a rabbi.” She implies here and in Gospel in the Ground that Jesus was among the elite young Jewish boys that was educated under a Rabbi; however, John 7:15 says, “The Jews then were astonished, saying, “How has this man become learned, having never been educated?”” I’m sure Jesus studied Scripture in a lot of his free time (“And Jesus increased in wisdom and in stature and in favor with God and man.” Luke 2:52), but Kristi implies that he studied formally under a Rabbi with the goal of becoming a Rabbi, which contradicts Scripture.
In another instance she reinterprets Matthew 16:18, “I tell you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church.” This has been a debated passage for millennia, yet because she has visited the city where Jesus spoke these words, she now has the correct interpretation that all scholars and theologians from centuries past have missed? Perhaps the locational context and object lesson could add a facet to the meaning, but Jesus did not teach in such one-dimensional ways. His object lessons pointed to much bigger spiritual truths that often had multiple dimensions (already and not yet meanings).
Overall, I would give this book two stars. I felt like much of the book was a promotion for her guided tours to Israel and the Middle East. There are much better books from which to learn about the ancient Middle East and Greco-Roman cultures as applied to the biblical narrative. This book is written at about an 8th grade reading level, with a lot of repetition, which, I assume, means that its audience is meant to be lay people. While many things are helpful in the book, my fear is that most lay people reading the book will not have the discernment to see the red flags and just believe everything Kristi presents as wonderful new insights that shine light on Scripture as never before - which is a form on Gnosticism.
September 29, 2023
The title is Rediscovering Israel, but for many, this will be a discovery of new pearls of wisdom by learning to read the Bible through a new lens.
I love how Kristi McLelland takes what she learned while studying in Israel and Egypt, includes photos, maps and charts to add depth and color to Bible stories I’ve always known but not truly grasped.
She provides an overview of the entire Bible, not just focusing on the New Testament. Reading that God married Israel in the desert at Mt Sinai and the tablets were like the “wedding rings”, is a beautiful image.
Don’t skip reading about the Intertestamental Period. I used to wonder where the synagogues, pharisees, sadducees, etc. came about that weren’t in the Old Testament stories. Kristi explains how the Jews were trying to combat Hellenism, which was so needed at the time, but went awry.
Seeing Jesus in context of the locations where he chose to teach or perform certain miracles helped me better understand the impact of the teaching, like at Caesarea Philippi…
As she writes,“the Bible is not only the best story ever written, but also the truest.”
I love how Kristi McLelland takes what she learned while studying in Israel and Egypt, includes photos, maps and charts to add depth and color to Bible stories I’ve always known but not truly grasped.
She provides an overview of the entire Bible, not just focusing on the New Testament. Reading that God married Israel in the desert at Mt Sinai and the tablets were like the “wedding rings”, is a beautiful image.
Don’t skip reading about the Intertestamental Period. I used to wonder where the synagogues, pharisees, sadducees, etc. came about that weren’t in the Old Testament stories. Kristi explains how the Jews were trying to combat Hellenism, which was so needed at the time, but went awry.
Seeing Jesus in context of the locations where he chose to teach or perform certain miracles helped me better understand the impact of the teaching, like at Caesarea Philippi…
As she writes,“the Bible is not only the best story ever written, but also the truest.”
October 4, 2023
If you’ve ever read the Bible and felt confused or overwhelmed by what was going on, you’re not alone. In “Rediscovering Israel”, Kristi McLelland walks through Scripture and invites the reader to look at it through a new lens, a better and more accurate lens, to see God at work with, for, and in His people. We discover His heart, we understand that the Bible really is one Story from beginning to end, and we learn what it means to really be a follower of Jesus.
When my husband and I first heard Kristi speak, my husband’s comment was, “Why doesn’t everyone teach like this?! It makes so much sense.” Having sat at the table to feast on the Word and teaching with Kristi in her Israel study (both in person and through her audio series), as well as traveling with her to Israel in 2022, we are thrilled to have this companion text to add to have at our fingertips. It’s a priceless treasure guiding the reader into the world of 1st Century Israel.
Kristi’s gifts as both a student AND an educator position her perfectly to share her perspectives on Scripture, and the culture in which it was written, in a meaningful and practical way. This book would be profoundly useful in a classroom, in a book study, or for personal growth in approaching the Scripture. Like all the best books, it’s written in a way that flows so grippingly that it’s hard to put down.
Kristi’s expertise at dropping nuggets of 1st Century perspectives, like a flower girl at a wedding dropping rose petals down the aisle, adds insight and “ah ha” moments wherever they land. Follow her down this path of discovery and revelation. You will not be disappointed.
When my husband and I first heard Kristi speak, my husband’s comment was, “Why doesn’t everyone teach like this?! It makes so much sense.” Having sat at the table to feast on the Word and teaching with Kristi in her Israel study (both in person and through her audio series), as well as traveling with her to Israel in 2022, we are thrilled to have this companion text to add to have at our fingertips. It’s a priceless treasure guiding the reader into the world of 1st Century Israel.
Kristi’s gifts as both a student AND an educator position her perfectly to share her perspectives on Scripture, and the culture in which it was written, in a meaningful and practical way. This book would be profoundly useful in a classroom, in a book study, or for personal growth in approaching the Scripture. Like all the best books, it’s written in a way that flows so grippingly that it’s hard to put down.
Kristi’s expertise at dropping nuggets of 1st Century perspectives, like a flower girl at a wedding dropping rose petals down the aisle, adds insight and “ah ha” moments wherever they land. Follow her down this path of discovery and revelation. You will not be disappointed.
October 3, 2023
Wow, Kristi McLelland never disappoints! Rediscovering Israel is so rich with content that she literally is bringing Israel to us through this book. With the beautiful biblical stories, in actual historical context, through the Middle Eastern lens, opens up the word so much more to understand the true heart of God and why he sent Jesus to come after us. There is no greater love story!
I've had the privilege of going to Israel with Kristi in 2018. Reading this book and seeing the pictures of the places we visited took me back to all the sounds, smells, feelings of awe of walking where Jesus walked or taught was so powerful. I got to relive it all again reading Rediscovering Israel. Even if you never get to the holy land in person, this book is taking you there, in all its richness, so don't miss it!
Kristi is setting a table and inviting you to join in and feast on all the Lord has for you. His word is meant to feed us. You will find "He is better than you ever knew!" Open your heart, open this book and read. Then I dare you to read your bible again, with your new lens and let it read you! Oh, so good!
I've had the privilege of going to Israel with Kristi in 2018. Reading this book and seeing the pictures of the places we visited took me back to all the sounds, smells, feelings of awe of walking where Jesus walked or taught was so powerful. I got to relive it all again reading Rediscovering Israel. Even if you never get to the holy land in person, this book is taking you there, in all its richness, so don't miss it!
Kristi is setting a table and inviting you to join in and feast on all the Lord has for you. His word is meant to feed us. You will find "He is better than you ever knew!" Open your heart, open this book and read. Then I dare you to read your bible again, with your new lens and let it read you! Oh, so good!
March 23, 2024
“The story of the Bible from Genesis to Revelation is not about how a lost people find their way home. The story of the Bible is about how God perpetually looks for lost people to bring them home.”
This book was not quite what I thought it was going to be. After traveling to Israel, I thought it would be information regarding Israel in general. This book is essentially a Bible overview from Genesis to Revelation, going into detail regarding the story of the Bible. I was a little disappointed when I first realized that, but the Lord reminded me that it is good for me to be reminded of the story He has shared with us in His Word, the good news of the gospel. So even though this was not what I thought it would be, I’m thankful to be reminded of His sovereignty in the story of Jesus from Genesis to Revelation. I recommend this book to anyone wanting to dig a little deeper into the story of the Bible.
This book was not quite what I thought it was going to be. After traveling to Israel, I thought it would be information regarding Israel in general. This book is essentially a Bible overview from Genesis to Revelation, going into detail regarding the story of the Bible. I was a little disappointed when I first realized that, but the Lord reminded me that it is good for me to be reminded of the story He has shared with us in His Word, the good news of the gospel. So even though this was not what I thought it would be, I’m thankful to be reminded of His sovereignty in the story of Jesus from Genesis to Revelation. I recommend this book to anyone wanting to dig a little deeper into the story of the Bible.
November 4, 2024
It is rare to find a book these days that is so full of Truth. I loved experiencing the connecting of the dots (or the stringing of the pearls). There is a genuine excitement and delight and passion for the Gospel and Kristi continues to point us to Jesus, and how we can be like Him. That we want to be followers, not just believers. That there is so much more to this life than religion offers us.
I feel like I have found a trusted sister and friend in Kristi's works. She paints the picture of a life that our family is trying to live and cultivate every day. I am so thankful for her knowledge and insights into Jewish culture and ancient history. My spirit is filled with peace as she describes a life of being, and presence, and purpose to repair the world.
Professor McLelland is a gifted teacher and a much needed voice in our culture today. I feel so grateful that God has spoken continually to my heart, through her words!
I feel like I have found a trusted sister and friend in Kristi's works. She paints the picture of a life that our family is trying to live and cultivate every day. I am so thankful for her knowledge and insights into Jewish culture and ancient history. My spirit is filled with peace as she describes a life of being, and presence, and purpose to repair the world.
Professor McLelland is a gifted teacher and a much needed voice in our culture today. I feel so grateful that God has spoken continually to my heart, through her words!
December 2, 2023
This was a beautiful trip through the backgrounds and archeological facts that make the Bible stories so rich. I am finishing my 25th time this year of reading through the entire Bible and I can tell you that it’s a very accessible book. You do not need to have additional knowledge about the background or culture of the Bible to get a tremendous amount of value from reading it. That being said however, I would say that simply reading the Bible is a great way to see its story in a sort of black-and-white type of picture. This book is a way to help you gain a lot more color to your understanding of the Bible stories. There are many resources that you can reach for, but Kristi McLelland's book is among the most accessible for every reader. So if you feel like a good dose of detail and context would help your understanding of the Bible then this book is a perfect resource for you.
March 4, 2025
After having the pleasure of going through Kristi McLelland’s first two bible studies and listening to her Pearls podcast, I was delighted when I learned she was releasing a book. Kristi’s specialty is exploring the Bible through the Middle Eastern lens by providing important historical context. Her unique approach helps us who live in the Western culture understand the deeper meaning behind the historical events and to better connect with who the Living God is. By looking at Scripture in its historical, cultural, and geographical contexts adds a richer understanding to connecting with the Bible.
Rated: 4.0/5.0–Overall, I love learning from Kristi McLelland–her bible studies are always some of my favorites to do with my bible study group. I look forward to all her future studies and books.
Rated: 4.0/5.0–Overall, I love learning from Kristi McLelland–her bible studies are always some of my favorites to do with my bible study group. I look forward to all her future studies and books.
January 19, 2025
This may turn into a read it once a year book. As I began a new year and starting over reading the Word for the year I thought it sounded like a good book to orient myself. When reading and studying the Bible one of the biggest helps to me has been to realize I am American and the Bible is not. In school history was always my favorite which I think has made the foundation for my love of studying the history of the Bible. I think it’s important to understand the historical and cultural context of the Bible because it makes it even more. It goes from black and white to technicolor. I have done a Bible study of Kristi’s and I’m so glad I picked this one up. Kristi goes through the Bible putting it into chronological, historical context. I loved it!
December 5, 2025
This is the second book/study I’ve read by Kristi, and I walk away every time feeling like my mind has exploded with understanding of the Word and God’s character through historical context.
For years reading the Bible or even hearing passages was not connecting the “then” to “now” for me, and reading and hearing Kristi’s lessons and pearl-stringing really confirms the Word being alive and always true in my mental capacity.
I’ve always liked the idea of history, but sometimes the books can be a bit dry. Kristi’s ability to tell a story is so readable and visual, I never leave reading or learning from her thinking it was boring or slow. Highly recommend this book to anyone wanting to learn more about God’s character through historical connections and the Word.
For years reading the Bible or even hearing passages was not connecting the “then” to “now” for me, and reading and hearing Kristi’s lessons and pearl-stringing really confirms the Word being alive and always true in my mental capacity.
I’ve always liked the idea of history, but sometimes the books can be a bit dry. Kristi’s ability to tell a story is so readable and visual, I never leave reading or learning from her thinking it was boring or slow. Highly recommend this book to anyone wanting to learn more about God’s character through historical connections and the Word.
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