The God of the Way: A Journey into the Stories, People, and Faith That Changed the World Forever

by Kathie Lee Gifford, Jason Sobel

New York Times Bestseller! Kathie Lee Gifford and Rabbi Jason Sobel the authors of the New York Times best seller The Rock, the Road, and the Rabbi bring you an exciting new life-changing message that will help you read the Bible with new eyes and take you into the heart of God's people in Scripture – from Abraham to Ruth to Jesus and His early followers. In The God of the Way , Rabbi Jason shares wisdom from his Jewish heritage and helps us read Scripture in the cultural context of biblical times. Kathie Lee adds personal stories and reflections from her spiritual journey and studies, serving as a companion as you go deeper in your own relationship with God. You will Journey into God's word, from the creation of the world through the desert and empty places, the Hebrew nation, and meet Jesus, the disciples, and his followers. As you do, you will see how you are part of God's epic story of redemption – a radiant testimony to the truth that belief in God's promises is never wasted.

Genres: Christian, Nonfiction, Religion, Christian Non Fiction, Faith, Spirituality, Christian Living

288 pages, Hardcover

Published August 30, 2022

About the author

Kathryn Lee Gifford (born Epstein, previously Johnson; born August 16, 1953) is an American television host, singer, songwriter, author, comedian, and actress. She is the co-host, with Hoda Kotb, of The Kathie Lee and Hoda Show, the fourth hour of NBC Today. She is best known for her 15-year run (1985–2000) on the talk show Live! with Regis and Kathie Lee, which she co-hosted with Regis Philbin. She has received 11 Daytime Emmy nominations and won her first Daytime Emmy in 2010 as part of the Today team. Gifford's first television role had been as Tom Kennedy's singer/sidekick on the syndicated version of Name That Tune, from 1974 to 1978. She also occasionally appears on the first three hours of Today and is a contributing NBC News correspondent.

Kathie Lee married Paul Johnson, a Christian composer/arranger/producer/publisher in 1976. After their divorce in 1982, she married sportscaster and former NFL player Frank Gifford in 1986. He died in 2015. Kathie Lee has released a number of studio albums and written a number of books.

For earlier works, see Kathie Epstein.

Reviews

[Rachel · Rating 5 out of 5]

The God of the Way: A Journey into the Stories, People, and Faith That Changed the World Forever
by Kathie Lee Gifford; Rabbi Jason Sobel is a wonderful memoir and inspirational collection that I really enjoyed.

I loved the perfect balance of the knowledge and experience of Rabbi Jason Sobel as he takes us through scripture, breaks it down for better understanding, and helps apply it to our everyday life and the corresponding anecdotes, stories, and life experiences added by the stunning Kathie Lee Gifford.

I learned several things in the process, feel as if I am now closer with God, and am inspired and hopeful after the warmth written within the pages.

I highly recommend.

5/5 stars

Thank you NG and Thomas Nelson for this wonderful arc and in return I am submitting my unbiased and voluntary review and opinion.

I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are
completely my own.

I am posting this review to my GR and Bookbub accounts immediately and will post it to my Amazon, Instagram, and B&N accounts upon publication on 8/30/22.

[Meredith Brauch · Rating 5 out of 5]

Was the perfect read for me at this time when I get disillusioned by all the hate, violence, and evil in our world today. Excellent reminder that God has a plan, he is a God who sees and hears. Loved the historical/biblical references. Loved the connection to our Jewish legacy. Loved that God shows up in everything, that he is a God of justice and forgiveness.

[Barbara Powell · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a great memoir and inspirational collection that devotes each chapter to one person of the Bible and how their faith changed their lives and what we can learn from their decisions and how to apply their faith choices to our lives.
I loved the balance between Rabbi Jason and Kathie Lee as the give us personal stories as well as break down the scriptures to apply them to everyday life. And Kathie Lee always makes you feel like you’re sitting having a cup of tea and having a chat with her and you learn without even realizing it.
I came away from reading this inspired and hopeful and with more useful information for my walk with the Lord.
Thanks to Thomas Nelson and NetGalley for this eArc in exchange for my review.

[Roger Smitter · Rating 4 out of 5]

The God of the Way is an unusual book in religious books. The two authors take on a difficult challenge to create a book about religion anchored in the themes of Jewish and Christian anchors. The other surprise is that the authors are well known people in media, a place that says very little about religion.

The two authors write pieces on religions positions and anchors in a way that doesn’t create make anger or a one-side way of understanding what we know about God.
The last pieces of the 266 pages focuses on the role of women in faith. It also doesn’t write about the people who want us to say there is only ONE way to serve God.

[Becky Yanak · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was our study for the faithkeepers and my Sunday school class. I found it so interesting as it gave such a deeper understanding of the Bible. Rabbi Sobel, a messianic rabbi teaches from his understanding of the original Hebrew and Greek writings. It made God’s word become a beautiful and powerful source of inspiration and Truth.

[Cheryl Willams · Rating 5 out of 5]

A devotional type worth re reading

[Kayla McAbee · Rating 5 out of 5]

I learned so much about the Bible from this book! The Rabbi that wrote it gave so much knowledge on Jewish heritage and culture. It was so so good!!

[Mary Catherine · Rating 5 out of 5]

Read Rabbi Jason Sobel and Kathie Lee Gifford to bridge the Old Testament and the New. Discover Jesus’ ministry in light of the Old Testament and how it explains and brings to light God’s perfect plan. God has a purpose for every detail in His Word. Don’t miss out. A good place to start is by reading The Rock, the Road, and the Rabbi. Also, read Mysteries of the Messiah. Your walk will be changed and enlightened.

[Donald Kirby · Rating 5 out of 5]

Hearing a different perspective on different parts of scripture was interesting. I did not realize kathie Lee was Jewish. I guess I should have. I definitely am going to try to buy this book for a friend of mine. It was a great read. It did not take me 12 days I just don't remember when I officially started and finished

[Shana OkieCozyReader · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoy Rabbi Sobel’s thoughts and his background how Jewish people might see and know these people in the Bible.

I read the first section of this book: The God of the How and When (which is featured in a Bible study I completed with Faith Gateway). It focuses on the lives of Abraham, Sarah, Moses, Joshua and Mary

There will be future studies/videos for the next sections that release this year (The God of His Word, The God Who Sees, The God of the Other Side).

Several of my favorite highlights from this book are sections where Sobel mentions God changing people’s names - Sarai and Hosua, by adding specific Hebrew characters.

“He changed their names from Abram to Abraham, from Sarai to Sarah. He added the same letter to their names—the Hebrew letter hei (ה). In Jewish thought, the letter hei signifies the creative power and potential to conceive children or give birth to any promise of God. This single letter was a game changer! It was after God added the letter hei to their names that the miracle of conception occurred.
Adding the letter hei to both of their names is also symbolic of the letter of the divine breath (Genesis 2:4) and the letter of the divine promises (Psalm 33:6).”
(Sarai)

“Moses changed Joshua’s name from Hoshea to Yehoshua by adding the Hebrew letter yud (י) to the beginning of his name. Why was this particular letter added?
The letter yud represents the divine name Jehovah, which in Hebrew is spelled yud-hei-vav-hei (יהוה). It is common not to write the full name of God out of respect. Instead the four-letter name of God, known as the Tetragrammaton (meaning “four letters”), is abbreviated by writing two letter yuds together.”
…
“But of course, there is more. The yud also represents God’s hand.”
(Moses)

My word for the year is joyful and I loved seeing references to that:
“A key part of God’s beauty is to give us a radiant joy that rises from within our core, despite our outward circumstance. …
For the Jews there was light and gladness, joy and honor.
…
If we want to be light and attractive and beautiful, then we must live our lives with a contagious, infectious joy.”
(Sarai)

“Oh, God of the How and When, only You know how, only You know when.” (Mary)

[Meagan | The Chapter House · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was so excited about this book, having read _The Rock, the Road, and the Rabbi_ in November 2020--and it did not disappoint!

I still prefer Rock/Road/Rabbi, as it's more travelogue/memoir that brings back memories of both (!!!) my Israel trips--but this read continues to deepen my understanding of Scripture, as well as my desire to keep learning. That's one of the many great things about the Bible--we will never plumb its depths; there will always be more to learn about God.

Between these two Sobel/Gifford reads, I read books (one each) by Sobel and Gifford as individuals; they were fine reads, but I tell ya, their joint efforts are something special. They as authors--and their content--balance each other out so well, and bring added depth and nuance (and the topics are, frankly, more aligned with my own interests). I'd be hard pressed to pick a favorite character they focused on in _The God of the Way_; as I finished each chapter, I'd say, "Oh, that was my favorite one"--until I got into the next!

So very well done.

I received an eARC of the book from the publisher via NetGalley. All opinions are my own.

[Dennis Ticen · Rating 3 out of 5]

(1) Though Gifford is listed as the first author on this book, she contributes very little. Her "notes" at the end of the chapters often only repeat what Sobel has already written. This is really his book.

(2) While there is a lot of good stuff here, biblically and theologically, there is also a LOT of "leaps of logic" and assumptions here. Sometimes "tradition" is pointed to without any backup whatsoever. And don't get me started on the way Sobel relies on numerology! If you can sort out the dross from the gold, there is some value here.

(3) I took in one of the videos that go along with the first quarter of this book. Apparently the video study is being divided into four sections, each sold separately. This strikes me as a money grab. Considering the last of the videos won't be out until mid-to-late next year, it would make this book extremely frustrating for groups who want to use it as a study series. The video that was available, however, did not add much if anything to what was already on the printed page.

I was disappointed overall with this book. I had hoped for better cultural and theological background on various Bible stories that it provides.

[Connie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Over the years, Kathie Lee Gifford has stood apart from so many famous people because her faith comes shining through. She isn’t afraid to stand up for what she believes, and at times, that must be difficult for someone who lives in the public eye the way she does.

I was thrilled to see that Rabbi Jason Sobel once again worked with Kathie Lee on a Christian book. I thought that The Rock, The Road, and the Rabbi was one of the absolute best books I had ever read. The two of them gave me an opportunity to arm-chair travel to Israel and learn more about the time of Jesus . In this book, Rabbi Jason gives us a broader view of the lives of some of the people from Biblical times. He opens up a deeper meaning and background to enlarge the readers understanding of them and their lives. Kathie Lee then joins in with some of her own thoughts and things she has learned.

I recommend both of these books highly! Katie Lee might be a celebrity, but she has so much incredible insight to share and Rabbi Jason is also topnotch.

[Carol Ghattas · Rating 5 out of 5]

I picked up this book recently at a local bookstore, because I have enjoyed listening to Rabbi Jason on the Bible roundtables of The Chosen, and I've watched more of his teachings and find him to be a source of new insights on Scripture.

This book was written as a result of a project that Kathie Lee Gifford began surrounding a film she produced called The Way (2022), which I watched after I finished the book. I like the way this book delves into the concept of God as the One who works the perfect timing of everything, keeps his Word, sees us, and pursues us. Examining various biblical characters while intermingling their own stories into the work, I enjoyed this walk through the Bible and was encouraged and inspired.

The God of the Way could be read as a devotional book or even used for a study group. Rabbi Sobel's insights will make you think and search the scriptures, and while I struggled with some concepts, I did learn new things that added depth to familiar passages.

An encouraging and uplifting read.

[Carolann Krause · Rating 4 out of 5]

n The God of the Way, Rabbi Jason shares wisdom from his Jewish heritage and helps us read Scripture in the cultural context of biblical times. Kathie Lee adds personal stories and reflections from her spiritual journey and studies, serving as a companion as you go deeper in your own relationship with God.

You will experience:

The God of the How and When: When you don't know the details…God does.
The God of His Word: When you can't see God…trust His heart and the promises in His Word.
The God Who Sees: When you feel abandoned and forgotten…God knows and cares about you.
The God of the Other Side: When you feel overwhelmed and unworthy…God never passes by but crosses over and brings freedom.
Journey into God's word, from the creation of the world through the desert and empty places, the Hebrew nation, and meet Jesus, the disciples, and his followers. As you do, you will see how you are part of God's epic story of redemption – a radiant testimony to the truth that belief in God's promises is never wasted.

[Liz Dobson · Rating 2 out of 5]

I’m giving myself permission to not finish this book. Which I haven’t done in a long time.

Honestly, this book is a bit of a slog (for me). Relying upon dictionary definitions of spiritual concepts, this book did not quench my thirst for biblical knowledge. I know that this book has a place in helping people reconnect with the thread of the gospel present in every story of the Bible. However, I sought this book out thinking I would learn more about the Jewishness of Jesus, and this book was not the resource I thought it would be.

I am determined to find someone who will love this book and gift it to them because I do believe this book holds value depending on what you currently need in your spiritual journey!

[LAMONT D · Rating 4 out of 5]

The book is more from Rabbi Jason Sobel than Kathie Lee. That is not necessarily a bad thing unless you were expecting Gifford to write more of the narrative. Certainly, worth your time especially if you have never been exposed to Rabbi Jason's teachings. I would encourage you to obtain a copy of his book "Mysteries of the Messiah Bible Study Guide: Unveiling Divine Connections from Genesis to Today." He pointed out that what he wrote in part here was in that book. From that book I learned a lot and was challenged to find more resources that contain the explanation behind the original language. This book gives you a taste of that as well as they highlight the various characters and stories throughout scripture that helps us understand the Messiah and His message of hope and salvation.

[Mhughessc · Rating 3 out of 5]

"The God of the Way: A Journey Into the Stories, People, and Faith That Changed the World Forever" is a devotional cowritten by Rabbi Jason Sobel and Kathie Lee Gifford. The striking cover and the involvement by Gifford is what drew my attention. Unfortunately (for me) Gifford's portions of the book are very small. Each chapter consists of a devotional by Sobel, who includes connections to his Jewish heritage.

I enjoyed reading Sobel's writings and how he connected the Torah to Scripture. Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC. All opinions are my own.

[Danielle Hardy · Rating 5 out of 5]

I picked up this book at the book store on a whim and to tell the truth I expected to be underwhelmed, because of the celebrity angle. I was pleasantly surprised however by the depth of the book. I know all of the stories covered by heart, but appreciated the new thoughts and correlations that were presented on them. I thoroughly enjoyed the Jewish angle of information as well. And of course it is rare to see Yeshua's true name represented in a book, so that meant a lot to me. Very well done.

[Dianne · Rating 5 out of 5]

So many gold nuggets in this book, accepting Jesus at the age of 4 and being raised in the Gospel I loved seeing the scripture from the Torah’s perspective and getting a deeper understanding of God’s goodness to all people through all time. He is the God who never changes and His love is profound from the beginning till now and will be to the end. We need unity in the body of Christ if we are going to see His glory cover the earth like the water covers the sea!

[Jackie Selles · Rating 5 out of 5]

Just on a whim took this book out of the library, and so glad I did! On the back cover it says that Sobel's purpose is to add high definition to people's faith in Jesus by restoring the lost connection with our Hebrew roots. So much to learn...... Sobel is also the spiritual advisor to The Chosen TV series. And Kathie Lee Gifford is very talented. The song she wrote with Nicole C. Mullen is beautiful. https://youtu.be/l6sX4Vw8mx0?si=-tsCv...

[Cruse · Rating 5 out of 5]

The God of the Way

This book opened my eyes and explained Biblical stories and parables in ways that I had not known before because it included Jewish culture of the age. It explained Jewish culture and laws so that things that seemed significant before become many times more significant.

[Alexx Doehr · Rating 5 out of 5]

Rabbi Jason Sobel is just amazing. He gives us the stories we’ve read & heard thousands of times and brings deeper knowledge & higher understanding to them. He walks you through with a microscopic lens and dissects every word, phrase, location, number, and other key details to truly bring The Word to life for believers in ALL stages to understand.

[Marja Verschoor-Meijers · Rating 3 out of 5]

The God of the Way is a very encouraging book, every story in it represents a promise of God and the fulfillment thereof. I enjoyed the insights Rabbi Jason Sobel shares in this book, his Jewish perspective is refreshing and even surprising at times. I can recommend this book to anyone who has the desire to grow closer to God.

[Candy Shepard · Rating 4 out of 5]

I learned a lot and enjoyed the new perspective that Rabbi Sobel gave in this book. I enjoyed how he shared his knowledge of Hebrew words and their meanings, as it gives such insightfulness to the text.
I enjoyed Kathi Lee’s excerpts, but honestly, I didn’t understand the purpose behind it. I did especially enjoy her perspective in her last excerpt.

[Sandy · Rating 1 out of 5]

I really wanted to like this book. I really was going to give it my best shot to read. I just couldn't do it. I read all of the Kathie Lee parts but the Rabbi is just above me. I have read many scriptures in my day but I just didn't find his way of writing easy to understand or even engaging.

[Nancy · Rating 5 out of 5]

The God of the way

Excellent book! There is so much to learn and take in. This book shares the tremendous love God has for His children You will be blessed as you read this wonderful book and begin or continue growing in The God of the Way!

[Brenda Taylor · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is about real-life stories that Kathy Lee poises the question to each person, “How did faith change your life”? She presents the interviews in a unbiased way, by speaking to people of many different religions. The book warmed my heart and strengths my faith.

[Deedee Roberts · Rating 2 out of 5]

Hard to listen to on Audible. Wish Kathie Lee had read the entire book. The male narrator was not engaging and made the subject dry, when it should have been very interesting. I may try it again in book form. I loved their first book.

[Alaina Webb · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is such a beautiful book! It’s a memoir of both Kathie and Rabbi Jason Sobel, while also diving deep into prominent figures / stories of the Bible from both the Old Testament and New Testament. It’s such a spiritually refreshing read too, highly recommend.