Three points on getting understanding of the Bible

These three points on getting understanding of the Bible will seem obvious, and maybe they are, but I could only really see them after many complete readings.

1. For the Old Testament you just really have to get the history of the Israelites down. Once you have that the books of the Prophets will make sense. The poetry books take care of themselves. But really all else centers on the actual history of the nation of Israel (and prior). Reading an article on the history of Israel in a Bible dictionary can be helpful too. There is much more to the Old Testament than this, but everything takes off on top of the foundation of the history itself. ~~~ For the New Testament the key really is to understand doctrine itself. Namely Federal Theology, which is Reformed soteriology. This enables you to know why Jesus is doing what He is doing, why it's being done, how it needs to be done, etc.; and to know all the actual doctrine contained in the Epistles. Of course it also connects it all to the Old Testament.

2. Knowing God created Israel partly to be an object lesson on the true state of fallen man is helpful in getting understanding of it all. You can see how it's not all about a people you don't have anything to do with. They are universal. And plus: once regenerated you become spiritual Israel.

3. Getting understanding of the Bible in a mature way really involves getting understanding of human nature and the nature of sin. Without that you really can't even begin. Knowing of sin and the state of fallen man gives you entrance into the poetry and reality of it all.