What advantage then has the Jew…? Much in every way! Chiefly because to them were committed the oracles of God. (Romans 3:1-3)
The natural descendants of Jacob (Israel) were the ones to whom God gave the foundational Scriptures (Genesis to Malachi). And it is to these same people that Jesus physically spoke. Therefore, in order for us to really understand the Bible, we must take time to learn the history of the Israel and its culture during the times when God gave them His oracles by the prophets, and when He walked among them in the Person of Jesus.
One of the ways to achieve this is by listening to preachers who are knowledgeable of ancient Israel and the Hebrew language by which God the Father and Jesus spoke to them. Many Israelites are now believers in Jesus. (The majority of them prefer to be called Messianic believers – Jews who believe in Messiah). Since these our Messianic brethren are well-versed in the ancient Bible culture and the Hebrew language, we should sit under their tutorship to gain more understanding of the Bible.
All of us in this generation have either directly or indirectly been taught the Bible by Americans who are not natural descendants of Israel. For this we thank God and we should continue to receive from those who have brought us this far. However, we shall grow even more in the knowledge of God and the Holy Scriptures if we also receive instruction from Messianic teachers. The oracles of God that are now ‘the Bible’ were committed to the Israelites in the context of their culture and language. Therefore, it behooves us to also learn from Messianic preachers because they know the Bible culture and the Hebrew language.
But I need to warn you: Some Messianic teachers have extreme views meant to compel Gentiles to become Jews in the way they worship God. In the Bible we see Paul strongly opposing this attitude – and we too should. However, this risk should not deter you from gaining the knowledge of the Bible that Jews have by virtue of the fact that “to them were committed the oracles of God” (Romans 3:1-3).
Therefore, if you really want to understand the Bible, listen to the “Israelites, to whom pertain the adoption, the glory, the covenants, the giving of the law, the service of God, and the promises; of whom are the fathers and from whom, according to the flesh, Christ came.” (Romans 9:4-5).
God bless you.