JESUS OF ISRAEL

Finding Christ in the Old Testament

by Father Richard Veras

Servant Books, 2007

142 pages, $11.99

To order: AmericanCatholic.org

1-800-488-0488

The idea to embark on the study of the Bible can be quite daunting. Where do you begin such an endeavor?

Father Richard Veras’ new book Jesus of Israel: Finding Christ in the Old Testament would be a great way to start.

While the book is not a Bible study, it does gives the reader a synopsis of the people and stories of the Old Testament and how they are fulfilled in the life and times of Jesus Christ.

According to the author, if we are true followers of Christ, we need to know where we come from and who we are. We need to be aware of the stories of salvation history that point towards the coming of our Savior.

As Father Veras comments, “If we are not aware of the history of the Jewish people, then we are not as aware as we can be, as we are invited to be, of the mercy of God revealed in” Christ.

The book draws the connection between the Old and New Testaments beginning with the first narratives of the Bible. Father Veras takes a look at the colorful Old Testament stories of Moses, Abraham and King David. As well, the author describes some lesser known Biblical characters who have New Testament parallels.

For instance, in the story of Joseph and Potiphar found in Genesis, Joseph is falsely accused by Potiphar’s wife and sent to prison. While in prison, he interprets the dreams of his fellow cellmates, the chief cupbearer and the chief baker.

The author presents the Old Testament not simply as a code or a puzzle to be solved in light of the events in Jesus’ life. Rather Father Veras explains that the great books of the Hebrew Scriptures set the stage for the coming of the Messiah.

While he presents the reader a good chronology of Biblical history, at times it is too much.

For instance, when describing the history of the judges, kingdoms are being divided, promises are being made and prophets are prophesying all at a rapid pace. Several paragraphs did not give the events of that period enough justice. More time was needed to sort out who was who and to put the pieces of history together.

The book ends appropriately with the story of Mary. She is the one who literally connects the two Testaments of the Bible. She is the new ark of the covenant who brings the Savior into the world.

A read of Jesus of Israel will not make an instant Scripture scholar. It will however give you a deeper insight into who Jesus is and where he came from and you will see the Old and the New Testaments of the Bible connected in a special way.

Eddie O’Neill writes from

Green Bay, Wisconsin.