When anyone receives a personal letter (or email), the mind subconsciously asks the question, "What is the writer's intent?" Response to personal communication is guided by our perception of the sender's reasons for writing.
If you believe, as I do, that the Bible is the inspired, written word from God to us, then we are wise to ask the questions:
When we correctly answer those two questions, we have discovered the general theme of God's Word.
Jeremiah 8:21-22 (KJV) For the hurt of the daughter of my people am I hurt; I am black; astonishment hath taken hold on me. Is there no balm in Gilead; is there no physician there? why then is not the health of the daughter of my people recovered?
Jeremiah 6:14 (ESV) They have healed the wound of my people lightly, saying, 'Peace, peace,' when there is no peace.
Exodus 20:1-3 (KJV) And GOD spake all these words, saying, I am the LORD thy God, which have brought thee out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of bondage. Thou shalt have no other gods before me.