The Unpromised Land: The Struggle of Messianic Jews Gary & Shirley Beresford (Paperback)

by Linda Alexander (Author)

Editorial Reviews

Product Description
Because of their faith in Yeshua

* they were betrayed by their family
* rejected by Israeli Immigration
* tormented by unending court trials
* reported on by major international news media
(Time, Newsweek, CNN, The New York Times, The Washington Post)

Gary and Shirley Beresford never wanted to be heroes. A middle-aged Messianic Jewish couple from South Africa, they felt God calling them to live in Israel, the Promised Land. Wanting nothing more than to live quietly and grow old together in the country of refuge for all Jewish people, little did they suspect what events would follow to try their faith.

The fight to make aliyah, to claim their rightful inheritance in the Promised Land, became a battle waged not only for themselves, but for Messianic Jews all over the world who wish to return to the Jewish homeland. Here is the true saga of the Beresford's journey to the land of their forefathers.

Includes both a Foreword and a 25-page Appendix on the decades-old struggle for Messianic Jewish aliyah by Dr. David Stern, translator and the Jewish New Testament and Complete Jewish Bible, and author of the Jewish New Testament Commentary. 208 pages. ISBN:1-880226-56-1

Product Details

• Paperback: 208 pages
• Publisher: Messianic Jewish Resources International (April 20, 2007)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1880226561
• ISBN-13: 978-1880226568
• Product Dimensions: 8.4 x 5.5 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 9.1 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.1 out of 5 stars See all reviews (7 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #1,773,744 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

7 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Christians are the converts, December 19, 2002

By A Customer

Let's see if I can get this right. They are born Jewish, keep the Jewish traditions and holy days, read the Jewish scriptures (including the ones written by first century Jews), and believe in a Jewish Messiah who was prophesied about in Jewish scriptures. So what's the problem?

Most Christians who understand prophesy clearly know that the Gentiles were the ones who were "grafted in" to the chosen people of God through their faith, not through their lineage(and by "chosen" God meant that He chose to reveal himself through the Jewish people, not that he loves others less). WE Christians are the converts, not vice versa. We are Gentiles who believe in a Jewish Messiah. The Beresfords do a good job of presenting the dilemma faced by Messianic Jews: that both sides will find reasons to reject them. My heart goes out to them.

3 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Not just for Messianics, February 10, 2005

By	Yeshua's Follower (Dallas, Texas) - See all my reviews

I think this book, and the comments about it, highlights the struggle Messianic Jews have struggled with for 1800 years from their Rabbinic brothers, for despite what self-proclaimed anti-missionaries may say, there has always been a remnant of Jews who "kept the commandments of G-d and kept faith in Mashiach, Yeshua." Obviously, as the comments above show, those that practice Rabbinic Judaism have a complete ignorance of what Messianic Jews believe or they misunderstood Moshe himself, for Messianic Jews keep the Torah of Moshe---they just may not necessarily keep the so-called "Oral" Torah of the Rabbis. Ignorance spread by a confusion with Christian theology, which stood in opposition to Messianic theology since the Council of Nicea and Constatine's "converstion" to "Christianity," perpetuates hatred amongst the children of Avraham... amongst brothers. Even if you don't have an interest in the plight of Messianic Jews (Jews that keep the Torah, discard man-made law that contradict Torah, and believe that Yeshua was the Jewish Messiah who never broke the Torah or taught others to do the same despite Christian theology to the contrary), this book is an interesting account of hatred, discrimination, and hyprocracy in the modern world.

4 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Brings truth to light, January 29, 2003

By A Customer

It is amazing the treatment that the Beresfords got while attempting to immigrate to Isreal. How the Jewish could be so cold and willing to cannibalize their own simply for embracing Jesus(Y'shua) as the Messiah is simply astounding. Especially when you consider all the turmoil that the Jews as a people have gone through over the centuries. It is quite amazing that they consider it better if a Jew doesn't believe God exists at all rather than if he believes that Jesus died for the sins of the world. (I know of Jews who have MUCH more crazy beliefs and they aren't considered non-Jewish because of it).
This is a great book and will open your eyes to facts about Isreal that you wouldn't believe.