I've been invited back to Korea in September. I've already had the honor of teaching there 6 times in various seminaries.
I'll never forget my first visit. I had lectured one morning on a subject I thought most interesting. But I had a sense I was not connecting at all with the students. During our morning break, I asked my translator: "I feel like I'm missing the boat here. While I'm lecturing, no one is looking at me. They're all staring down at their desks." I hadn't taken offense. I just felt like a failure as a communicator.
"Oh, don't worry," said my translator. "That's just the way Korean students are." You see, in Korean culture, one of the ways you show respect to teachers is by averting eye contact. By contrast, in the US, you're supposed to look at your teacher (or at least give the impression that you're paying attention). Not to do so is considered rude. In Korean culture, teaching is still one of the most respected careers. Hence the students were wanting to show respect by looking away as I spoke. Had no idea!
In the same way, when you're studying the Bible, you have to read it against the right background, with the right cultural light shining on it so to speak, to capture its full meaning. Thus, when you study any portion of God's word, make sure you study the historical and cultural background. You will often find that the passage suddenly comes alive.