The phrase "call for the mountains to cover them" is a vivid biblical expression that appears in both the Old and New Testaments, symbolizing a desire for escape from impending judgment or overwhelming fear. This imagery is deeply rooted in the prophetic and apocalyptic literature of the Bible, where it serves as a metaphor for the ultimate realization of divine wrath and the futility of seeking refuge from God's judgment.

Old Testament Context

The concept first emerges in the prophetic literature of the Old Testament. In Hosea 10:8, the prophet Hosea declares, "The high places of Aven, the sin of Israel, will be destroyed; thorns and thistles will grow over their altars. Then they will say to the mountains, 'Cover us!' and to the hills, 'Fall on us!'" . Here, the imagery is used to depict the desperation of the Israelites as they face the consequences of their idolatry and rebellion against God. The high places, once centers of false worship, become symbols of shame and desolation, prompting a cry for the mountains to hide them from the divine retribution they have incurred.

New Testament Context

The New Testament echoes this imagery in the context of eschatological judgment. In Luke 23:30, Jesus, on His way to the crucifixion, warns of a future time of distress, saying, "Then 'they will say to the mountains, 'Fall on us!' and to the hills, 'Cover us!'" . This statement is a prophetic allusion to the coming judgment upon Jerusalem and, by extension, the final judgment at the end of the age. It underscores the severity of the impending divine wrath and the inability of humanity to escape it through natural means.

The Book of Revelation further amplifies this theme in its apocalyptic vision. Revelation 6:15-17 describes the reaction of humanity to the opening of the sixth seal: "Then the kings of the earth, the nobles, the commanders, the rich, the mighty, and every slave and free man hid in the caves and among the rocks of the mountains. And they said to the mountains and the rocks, 'Fall on us and hide us from the face of the One seated on the throne, and from the wrath of the Lamb. For the great day of Their wrath has come, and who is able to withstand it?'" . This passage vividly portrays the universal scope of God's judgment and the terror it inspires in all people, regardless of status or power.

Theological Implications

The recurring motif of calling for the mountains to cover them serves as a powerful reminder of the inescapable nature of divine judgment. It highlights the futility of seeking refuge in the created order when faced with the Creator's righteous wrath. This imagery calls believers to a sober recognition of the seriousness of sin and the necessity of repentance. It also underscores the hope found in Christ, who offers salvation and refuge from the coming judgment to those who trust in Him.

Practical Application

For believers, the call for the mountains to cover them serves as a warning and a call to vigilance. It encourages a life of holiness and readiness, living in the light of Christ's return and the final judgment. It also serves as a motivation for evangelism, urging Christians to share the gospel with urgency, knowing the reality of God's impending judgment and the hope of salvation available through Jesus Christ.