Adam and Eve, God's covenant with Abraham, the deportation of Judah and their eventual return to Jerusalem--these are a few of the key Old Testament stories that serve as signposts for guiding readers through much of the Old Testament. According to Old Testament professor Victor Matthews, these stories are essential to the identity of Israel as God's people. Matthews identifies eight landmark stories that not only shaped Israelite identity but also continued to echo throughout the Old Testament as Israel grew into its role as the people of God. He examines the stories in detail, showing how they provide a foundation for later Old Testament stories and events. Helpful sidebars, a glossary, indexes, and a selected bibliography provide readers with tools for further exploration.