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This engaging short story, originally composed in the Hebrew language, will quickly draw you in and pull you along as you become acquainted with the colorful characters, each one with their own noteworthy role to play. You will experience their pains, sorrows, and joys, mixed with expressions of faith (or lack thereof) as they face many uncertainties of life. Events will unfold with several unanticipated twists and turns throughout the storyline. Unique cultural and religious revelations are woven into the mix.

Contrary to expectations, the leading actress for this Jewish drama turns out to be a non-Jewish woman named Ruth. As for the covenant God of Israel, he is brilliantly woven into the storyline, but only through references made to him by the other characters. Faith in God, and dependence on him, is central to the story.

Chronologically, the drama unfolds during the era when God-appointed heroic leaders (traditionally referred to as judges in English translations) watched out for the Israelites - approximately 200 years before David becomes king.

The central character of this short story is a Jewish man named Jonah. Even though he is not specifically referred to as a prophet within this story of Jonah itself, we know from 2 Kings 14:25 that he was recognized as the prophet from Gath Hepher. We also know that Jonah lived during the reign of Jeroboam son of Jehoash (aka Jeroboam II), since he delivered a message from God to that king.

In our current account, God chose Jonah to carry out a mission. Tensions mount over and over again throughout the story as Jonah responds in unexpected ways to the task he has been assigned.

No other actor, throughout the entire story, is ever named. Those unnamed actors, who appear at various points as the story unfolds, have some unanticipated, and rather spectacular, responses. Jonah, the "man of faith," one of "the chosen of God," is outdone by the newfound faith of the pagans he encounters.

Jonah's knowledge about God, and how he believes God is supposed to function, is challenged throughout the story, and is meant to challenge anyone who reads or hears this story that has been recorded for us.

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The central character of this biography is Abraham (aka Abram), a man originating in South Mesopotamia (modern day southern Iraq).

God dialogues with Abraham on multiple occasions, each time making him promises that, from a human perspective, would appear unattainable. But God assures Abraham that he himself will make the impossible come to pass.

Time and time again throughout the story, when the realization of God's promises does not occur in a timely manner, tensions rise as human effort is employed in an attempt to bring about their fulfillment.

Whenever Abraham gets himself into life-threatening situations, without fail, God intervenes. And on each occasion Abraham manages to add to his ever-increasing wealth.

Central to this account is a binding covenant that God makes with Abraham - a covenant which plays an essential role for his descendants and, ultimately, for the entire world.

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Throughout history, God has always had a plan, and to carry out his plan he would choose and prepare certain people. His plans were always rather dramatic and quite unconventional, as well as unpredictable.

The Joseph story is no exception to that prevalent style. Joseph's life is a rollercoaster of ups and downs. He was raised in a rather dysfunctional family setting, and at a young age he was already involved in international travel, resulting in opportunities that eventually led to some high-level politics. His story is filled with intrigue and remains bittersweet from beginning to end.

God's hand was involved throughout Joseph's life with the ultimate plan to carry forward and grant success to his covenant people.

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The central character of this biography is Isaac, the son who God had promised to Abraham and Sarah. He was the heir who was to carry on the covenant relationship that God had established with Abraham. That meant God would be looking out for Isaac, including the provision of a wife and children and safety. We will see how it all unfolds in this story.

Since the early years of Isaac's life played such a significant role in the Abraham story, those details were covered in the biography of his father, Abraham, and will not be repeated here. That includes the promises that God made to Abraham about the birth, as well as the miraculous birth itself, and the early years of Isaac's life including his near-death experience when it was requested that he be offered as a burnt sacrifice.

Jacob will be the sixth biography to be released in The Ultimate Drama series. It is currently being edited.

Estimated time of completion: November 2024