Unger’s Bible Handbook, p 488 For a helpful description of the geography of Jerusalem, see the article “Jerusalem” in The New Bible Dictionary, J D Douglas, ed., pp 614-20 32 The early rain softened the ground for ploughing; the latter rain watered the seed 33 The above observations are based on the reasonable assumption that Palestine’s climate has not changed much since New Testament times 34 An interesting chapter on this subject, written in narrative style, is “Israel at Home,” by John B Taylor, in his book A Christian’s Guide to the Old Testament, pp 12-20 This is highly recommended reading 35 All of these items are described, at least brie y, in Fred H Wight’s Manners and Customs of Bible Lands, from which this list is constructed It should be understood that all the items are not necessarily part of every setting 36 The average Israelite spent less time in his abode than does the average person of Western culture 37 Houses with more than one room were built around an open courtyard For further descriptions of this and other related subjects consult the excellent book by A C Bouquet, Everyday Life in New Testament Times 38 As noted earlier, during the Babylonian Captivity the Jews began worshiping regularly in meeting places, later called synagogues (from the Greek synagoge, “place of assembly”) They probably continued that tradition upon returning to their homeland, though there is no speci c reference to it in the postexilic books of the Old Testament By New Testament times the synagogue was a well-established institution 39 Taylor, A Christian’s Guide to the Old Testament, pp 12,17 40 Norman Geisler, Christ: The Theme of the Bible, p 68 41 The Bible itself is the revelatory source of those key truths That will become more apparent to you as you survey the various books of the New Testament 42 Actually, the list of key New Testament truths is extensive After you have studied this selected list, add others that come to your mind And also keep in mind that all Bible truths are important 43 Erich Sauer, From Eternity to Eternity, p.56 44 The Greek word (charis), which is translated grace, is sometimes translated gift (e.g., Rom 6:23) 45 John F Walvoord, The Holy Spirit, p 81 46 Cf Mark 8:27-31 47 John F Walvoord, The Holy Spirit, p.77 48 Cf Hebrews 11:6 49 Edward J Young, Introduction to the Old Testament, pp 10-11 ... 41 The Bible itself is the revelatory source of those key truths That will become more apparent to you as you survey the various books of the New Testament 42 Actually, the list of key New Testament. .. Old Testament By New Testament times the synagogue was a well-established institution 39 Taylor, A Christian’s Guide to the Old Testament, pp 12,17 40 Norman Geisler, Christ: The Theme of the. .. (from the Greek synagoge, “place of assembly”) They probably continued that tradition upon returning to their homeland, though there is no speci c reference to it in the postexilic books of the Old