GOD'S WORD IS NOT HIDDEN

Deuteronomy 30:11-14 For this commandment which I command thee this day, it is not hidden from thee, neither is it far off. It is not in heaven, that thou shouldest say, Who shall go up for us to heaven, and bring it unto us, that we may hear it? Neither is it beyond the sea, that thou shouldest say, Who shall go over the sea for us, and bring it unto us, that we may hear it, and do it? But the word is vary nigh unto thee, in thy mouth, and in thy heart, that thou mayest do it.

In the first 10 verses of this chapter of Deuteronomy, as in numerous other places in the Old Testament, God tells the people of Israel that He will bless those that repent and turn back to Him, even those that have strayed far from His ways. Not only will God bless those that return to Him and become obedient again, but He will also curse their enemies and protect the Jewish nation from them.

This is followed by the lesson text verses in which God says, through Moses, that His commandments are not hidden from them or difficult to understand. To those that diligently seek God and the hope of salvation, His word is easily understood. Thy testimonies are wonderful; therefore doth my soul keep them. The entrance of Thy words giveth light; it giveth understanding unto the simple (Psalm 119:129-130).

The inspired word of God is contained in, what we call today, the Bible. Bible is an extraction of the word biblia which means a collection of writings, of biblion which means a little book and from biblos, which means papyrus bark or the medium on which much holy scriptures were copied. In various places in the Bible, God's word is referred to as (1) the book of the law (Nehemiah 8:3), (2) the law of the Lord (Psalm 1:2), (3) holy scriptures (Romans 1:2), (4) the word of life (Philippians 2:16) and the word of God (Hebrews 4:12).

God's word, the Bible, contains the Old Testament or Covenant that was made between God and the children of Israel. It also contains the New Testament or Covenant made between God and all nations or people throughout the world. Hebrews, chapter 9 and the first part of chapter 10, describes both the old law and the new law. Chapter 10, verse 1, describes the Old Testament as a shadow of good things to come. Verse 9 states, concerning the coming of Jesus Christ, I come to do thy will, O God. He taketh away the first, that He may establish the second. The prophecies, concerning the coming of the Son of God to take away the sins of the world, are contained in the First Covenant were fulfilled in the Second Covenant.

We find Jesus teaching the word of God by the lake of Gennesaret as recorded in Luke 5:1. How important was the teaching of Jesus Christ? If ye continue in My word, then are ye My disciples indeed; and ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free (John 8:31-32). We find the apostles of Jesus, on the day of Pentecost, being inspired by the Holy Ghost, teaching the word of God with boldness (Acts 4:31). As the word of God spread throughout the known world, it was received by all nations. This is noted in Acts 11:1 when the apostles and brethren that were at Judea heard that the Gentiles had also received the word of God.

God's word is not far from us. All we need do is to receive it. There is probably a Bible within easy access for each of us. Paul told Timothy to study to show thyself approved unto God (2 Timothy 2:15), and so he tells us today that we should we study God's word in order to understand and obey it.

The Psalmist, David, gives us a beautiful description of God's word. The law of the Lord is perfect, converting the soul: the testimony of the Lord is sure, making wise the simple. The statutes of the Lord are right, rejoicing the heart: the commandment of the Lord is pure, enlightening the eyes. The fear of the Lord is clean, enduring forever: the judgements of the Lord are true and righteous altogether (Psalm 19:7-9). And, how important is God's word to each of us? David tells us in verse 10, More to be desired are they than gold, yea, than much fine gold: sweeter also than honey and the honeycomb. Indeed, God's word is not hidden. It is readily available for all to read, understand, and obey!