No, the word is very near you; it is in your mouth and in your heart so you may obey it. —Deuteronomy 30:14

Each week in synagogue, Jews read through the Torah from Genesis to Deuteronomy. The Torah portion for this week is Nitzavim, which means “standing,” from Deuteronomy 29:9–30:20.

Have you ever thought about how amazing the Bible is? I mean, of course, it’s the Word of God. So, obviously there is no book like it. But I’m talking about something specific that makes the Bible unique.

Most books are written for a specific audience. There are books for kids, for young adults and adults, for professionals or amateurs. There is no such thing as a book that can be studied and read by children, adults, novices with no background, and world-class scholars. It makes no sense that there should be. Imagine if you had to write a book that was equally interesting and valuable to an academic scholar and to a seven-year-old child.

This is an important point. I meet so many people who are intimidated by studying the Bible for themselves. They think that they aren’t capable of understanding the lessons in it on their own. Too many people of faith think that only great scholars, rabbis, or pastors are capable of seeing new ideas in the Bible.

But this is wrong. God’s Word is for each and every one of us. And anyone who reads the Bible carefully will discover things that no one else has ever seen.

God’s Word Is for Each of Us

We see this lesson in this week’s Torah portion: “Now what I am commanding you today is not too difficult for you or beyond your reach… No, the word is very near you; it is in your mouth and in your heart so you may obey it” (vv. 11, 14).

Notice that the end of this passage does not say, “it is in your hands to obey it.” Rather, “it is in your mouth and heart.” In other words, these verses are not simply talking about obeying God and doing what He commands. What these verses are saying is that each and every one of us has the ability to understand and teach the Word of God.

The Bible is how God speaks to us. His Word is for every one of us.

Your turn: Read your Bible today and take some time to read, slowly and carefully, making notes of questions or ideas that come to mind. Remember — God is speaking to you!