Topical Bible: Mountains: Called: God's Mountains

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Topical Encyclopedia

Mountains hold a significant place in biblical narratives, often symbolizing the divine presence, majesty, and authority of God. Throughout Scripture, mountains are depicted as places where God reveals Himself, delivers His commandments, and establishes His covenant with His people. These elevated landscapes serve as physical and spiritual high points, representing the intersection between heaven and earth.

Divine Revelation and Covenant

Mountains are frequently the setting for divine revelation and covenant-making. One of the most prominent examples is Mount Sinai, where God delivered the Ten Commandments to Moses. In Exodus 19:20 , it is written, "The LORD descended to the top of Mount Sinai and called Moses to the summit." This mountain becomes a sacred site where God establishes His law and covenant with Israel, underscoring His holiness and authority.

Similarly, Mount Horeb, often identified with Sinai, is where Moses encounters the burning bush and receives his commission to lead the Israelites out of Egypt (Exodus 3:1-2). These events highlight the mountain as a place of divine encounter and mission.

Symbol of God's Majesty and Strength

Mountains are also symbolic of God's majesty and strength. In Psalm 36:6 , the psalmist declares, "Your righteousness is like the highest mountains, Your judgments like the deepest sea." Here, mountains are used metaphorically to describe the vastness and unchanging nature of God's righteousness. The imagery of mountains conveys stability, permanence, and the grandeur of God's character.

Place of Worship and Sacrifice

Mountains serve as locations for worship and sacrifice, emphasizing their role as sacred spaces. Mount Moriah is notably significant as the site where Abraham was tested by God to offer his son Isaac (Genesis 22:2). This mountain later becomes the location of Solomon's Temple in Jerusalem, a central place of worship for the Israelites.

In the New Testament, Jesus often retreats to mountains for prayer and teaching. The Sermon on the Mount, recorded in Matthew 5-7, is delivered on a mountainside, where Jesus expounds on the principles of the Kingdom of Heaven. This setting underscores the mountain as a place of divine instruction and revelation.

Prophetic and Eschatological Significance

Mountains also hold prophetic and eschatological significance. In Isaiah 2:2 , it is prophesied, "In the last days the mountain of the house of the LORD will be established as the chief of the mountains; it will be raised above the hills, and all nations will stream to it." This vision portrays a future where God's rule is universally recognized, and His presence is exalted above all.

The Book of Revelation further emphasizes the eschatological role of mountains. In Revelation 21:10 , John describes being carried away "in the Spirit to a great and high mountain" to witness the holy city, the new Jerusalem, descending from heaven. This imagery reinforces the mountain as a vantage point for divine revelation and the fulfillment of God's redemptive plan.

Conclusion

Mountains, as depicted in the Bible, are more than mere geographical features; they are imbued with spiritual significance. They are places where God reveals His presence, establishes His covenant, and demonstrates His majesty. As "God's mountains," they serve as enduring symbols of His authority, righteousness, and the ultimate fulfillment of His promises.

Torrey's Topical Textbook

Isaiah 49:11
And I will make all my mountains a way, and my highways shall be exalted.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Library

Salvation Published from the Mountains
... The women are, therefore, called upon to proclaim His approach ... on the tops of the
hills and mountains, from whence ... is at hand; say unto her, Behold your God! ...
/.../newton/messiah vol 1/sermon vi salvation published from.htm

The Story of Gideon and his Three Hundred Soldiers
... On the plain, stretching up the side of another of these mountains, called "the
Hill of ... He wished to be sure that God was leading him, and he prayed to God and ...
/.../marshall/the wonder book of bible stories/the story of gideon and.htm

God's Purpose for his Church
... and break forth into singing, O mountains: for the ... of warning; and when they were
called to lay ... God brought these witnesses into covenant relation with Himself ...
/.../white/the acts of the apostles/lesson 1 gods purpose for.htm

Fragrant Spices from the Mountains of Myrrh. "Thou Art all Fair ...
... FRAGRANT SPICES FROM THE MOUNTAINS OF MYRRH. ... unblameable and unreproveable in the
sight of the Omniscient God. ... spouse as "My love." The virgins called her "the ...
/.../spurgeon/till he come/fragrant spices from the mountains.htm

God's Dealings with the Earth During the Tribulation Period.
... of vengeance" (Is.61:2). It is called "the time of ... God Himself terms this a great
earthquake"great in its ... the entire earth and even the mountains and islands ...
//christianbookshelf.org/pink/the redeemers return/3 gods dealings with the.htm

Psalm CXXV.
... Thence they are so called in another passage: "Thy righteousness is like the mountains
of God." [5480] Not their righteousness, but "Thy righteousness." Hear ...
/.../augustine/exposition on the book of psalms/psalm cxxv.htm

The Northern Mountains
... the tall stately brown policeman, Thompson, called forward and ... was a great gate in
the mountains, through which ... having made his idol, enchant his god into it ...
//christianbookshelf.org/kingsley/at last/chapter xi the northern mountains.htm

The Son is of one Substance with the Father. ...
... Jeremiah also saith: "Make mourning upon the mountains, and beat ... it, in regard whereof
the Scripture called Him "Servant ... He did not hold equality with God as a ...
/.../ambrose/works and letters of st ambrose/chapter xiv the son is.htm

God's People Delivered.
... "Our God shall come ... wicked pray to be buried beneath the rocks of the mountains,
rather than ... How often have its plaintive, tender tones called them to repentance ...
/.../the great controversy between christ and satan /40 gods people delivered.htm

God's People Delivered
... "Our God shall come ... wicked pray to be buried beneath the rocks of the mountains rather
than ... How often have its plaintive, tender tones called them to repentance ...
/.../white/the great controversy/chapter 40 gods people delivered.htm