This book began when the author realised that, when people said they were fascinated by particular biblical passages, they were usually ones that presented dramatic encounters between people and between God and people. Such are the passages interpreted in this book. They usually set a vivid scene that heightens the dramatic nature of the encounter, and animated dialogue often directly addresses the reader. There is also animated action that is vividly striking and often sudden and unexpected. These features involve the readers themselves and may question them about what they expect. Indeed the dramatic encounters provocatively lead to unexpected new life in the future. Maurice Andrew is a New Zealander who has studied and taught Old Testament Studies in Germany, Nigeria and New Zealand, often in classes composed of people of different genders, ethnicities and churches. Encounters with these people, which have led to new dimensions in the author's life, have possibly influenced his interest in encounters in the Bible. He has written articles and books on Old Testament themes usually with reference the bi- and multicultural context of New Zealand.
