Reading the Bible

The Bible is our only source on which to base our beliefs.  In order to have a correct interpretation of what the Bible is saying to us we need to read around the passage we are looking at to give us the context in which our passage is set.  I have heard it said that there was a lady who liked to open her Bible each day at random to have a text for the day.  One day she came across this verse;”And Judas went out and hung himself.” She thought this was not very helpful so tried again to find a random verse. This time the verse was, ”go and do thou likewise.” I hope she learnt from this that picking random verses is not a good idea.  No we need to know what comes before our verse and what goes after it. A favourite verse for many people is Jeremiah 29:11” For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” That is a lovely verse and many people find it comforting.  If we belong to Jesus it applies to us.  But look at the context.  Jeremiah was talking to people who were just about to go into exile.  They were facing hard times and it would be many years before this prophecy would be fulfilled.  It wasn't a cozy, instant answer for them, they would have to hold on to this promise of a future for them, for a very long time, while they went through the bad days. So always check the context of your reading.