One of the important things to know when studying the Bible is that we need to see it as a big story that we can't just parachute into without considering where we are in the story.  This overview/timeline of the Bible is fairly simple as Bible Timelines go, but it should be a helpful tool as you study the Bible and discern where you are in the story.  That may help you understand why God is saying what He is saying and doing what He is doing.  The large solid bar shows the division between Old Testament and New Testament.