Understanding the Bible in Its Historical Context

  If we are going to properly understand the Bible, we must have at least a general understanding of the historical setting it was written in and the particular people it was written to.  Much too often people read the Bible without taking these things into consideration and, as a result, fail to grasp the true meaning of the passage of Scripture they are looking at.  And it is also quite common for people to misapply Biblical truth because they misunderstand it.
   To begin with, we must understand that the Bible is not simply a book of religious sayings, devotional thoughts, and illustrative stories to inspire us toward godliness.  It is a historical record of the desperate plight of sinful human beings and God’s great plan of redemption for lost sinners.  I remember hearing about the exploits of David, the faithfulness of Joseph, of Daniel being protected in the lion’s den, the courage of Esther, and other inspiring accounts of Biblical characters.  But, it was never explained that these historical accounts found in Scripture are all related in that they provide the historical background that leads up to the coming of the Savior, who was of necessity virgin born.  The Bible verifies the family tree of Jesus Christ, tracing His human linage back to Adam, the first man (see Lk. 3:23-38).  His legal linage is also given to show that in His humanity He is the rightful heir of David’s throne (Matt. 1:1-1 ...