Graves provides an informative and accessible read that explores the Bible, not as a survey of history, but by examining twelve interconnecting themes, including the history of the English Bible, biblical revelation, inspiration, transmission of the text, creation, sin and the human condition, protoevangelium, sovereignty of God, covenant, biblical law, Israelite worship, and the prophets. He provides an overview of what the Old Testament is all about and how it relates to the New Testament. Learn how the covenant is connected to the law and the law is related to the Old Testament sacrificial system. What has Genesis 3:15 to do with the rest of the Bible? Graves answers the kind of questions that the average reader of the Bible wants answered and not simply the answers that scholars think readers should hear.Numerous detailed maps, charts, tables, and photographs are included illustrating the Old Testament context. Helpful breakout panes, dealing with "Quotes from Antiquity," "Moments in History," and "Facts from Archaeology," provide an interesting and informative understanding of the cultural and historical background of the Bible. A glossary defines technical terms, and extensive footnotes and the hundreds of books listed in the "For Further Study" breakout panes and bibliography, index of subjects and authors, provide an invaluable resource to readers for future study.An engaging resource intended for laypeople who want to know more about the Old Testament, whether in seminary courses, college classrooms, church groups or personal study.