Topical Bible: Mountains of Persons in Authority

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In biblical literature, mountains often symbolize strength, stability, and the presence of God. They are frequently associated with significant events and divine encounters. In the context of authority, mountains can represent the power and dominion of individuals or nations, as well as the challenges and responsibilities that come with leadership.

Symbolism of Mountains in Scripture

Mountains are prominent in the biblical narrative, serving as places of revelation and divine encounter. For instance, Mount Sinai is where Moses received the Ten Commandments (Exodus 19:20). In the New Testament, Jesus delivers the Sermon on the Mount, a foundational teaching for Christian ethics (Matthew 5-7).

Mountains as Metaphors for Authority

1. Mountains as Kingdoms and Nations: In prophetic literature, mountains often symbolize kingdoms or nations. For example, in Daniel 2:35, the stone that becomes a great mountain and fills the whole earth represents the kingdom of God, which will surpass all earthly kingdoms. This imagery underscores the ultimate authority and dominion of God's kingdom over human powers.

2. Mountains and Divine Authority: The Psalms frequently use mountains to depict God's eternal authority and strength. Psalm 125:2 states, "As the mountains surround Jerusalem, so the LORD surrounds His people both now and forevermore." This imagery conveys God's protective and sovereign authority over His people.

3. Mountains and Human Authority: In Isaiah 2:2, the mountain of the LORD's house is described as being established as the highest of the mountains, exalted above the hills, symbolizing the preeminence of God's authority and the ultimate submission of all human authority to His rule.

Notable Biblical Figures and Mountains

1. Moses and Mount Sinai: Moses is a central figure in the Old Testament, and his encounters with God on Mount Sinai are pivotal moments of divine authority being imparted to him. Exodus 19:20 records, "The LORD descended to the top of Mount Sinai and called Moses to the top of the mountain. So Moses went up." Here, Moses receives the law, establishing his leadership and authority among the Israelites.

2. Elijah and Mount Carmel: Elijah's confrontation with the prophets of Baal on Mount Carmel (1 Kings 18) is a dramatic demonstration of God's authority over false gods. Elijah's victory signifies the reaffirmation of divine authority through the prophet's obedience and faith.

3. Jesus and the Mount of Transfiguration: In the New Testament, the Transfiguration of Jesus on a high mountain (traditionally identified as Mount Tabor) is a moment of divine revelation and authority. Matthew 17:5 records, "While he was still speaking, a bright cloud enveloped them, and a voice from the cloud said, 'This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased. Listen to Him!'" This event affirms Jesus' divine authority and His fulfillment of the Law and the Prophets.

Mountains as Challenges to Authority

Mountains can also represent obstacles or challenges faced by those in authority. In Zechariah 4:7, the prophet declares, "What are you, O great mountain? Before Zerubbabel you will become a plain." This passage illustrates the removal of obstacles through divine intervention, emphasizing that true authority comes from God and that He empowers His chosen leaders to overcome challenges.

Conclusion

In summary, mountains in the Bible serve as powerful symbols of authority, both divine and human. They represent the strength and stability of God's kingdom, the responsibilities of leadership, and the challenges that come with authority. Through the imagery of mountains, Scripture communicates profound truths about the nature of power and the ultimate sovereignty of God over all creation.

Torrey's Topical Textbook

Psalm 72:3
The mountains shall bring peace to the people, and the little hills, by righteousness.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Isaiah 44:23
Sing, O you heavens; for the LORD has done it: shout, you lower parts of the earth: break forth into singing, you mountains, O forest, and every tree therein: for the LORD has redeemed Jacob, and glorified himself in Israel.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Library

On the Unity and Trinity of God
... and Son, we must believe it on the authority of God ... one God is and we know what three
persons are; but ... he sees miles of level land and mountains thousands of ...
/.../kinkead/baltimore catechism no 4/lesson 3 on the unity.htm

The Deeds of Some Holy Persons who Devoted Themselves to a ...
... of life, so that by degrees the mountains of Nitria ... former indeed is often developed
in persons who are ... wild beasts became subject to their authority, there is ...
/.../the ecclesiastical history of scholasticus/chapter xxiii the deeds of some.htm

Of the Sixth Seal.
... liable to render an account to the authority of the ... were moved out of their places."
Mountains and islands might perhaps be taken for persons of higher ...
//christianbookshelf.org/mede/a key to the apocalypse/of the sixth seal.htm

The Northern Mountains
... was a great gate in the mountains, through which ... Martin was determined to try his
authority and influence ... perceive the faint outlines of the remaining persons. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/kingsley/at last/chapter xi the northern mountains.htm

Healing a Demoniac in a Synagogue.
... shore while Nazareth was up in the mountains.] And ^b ... Rabbi Ba or Rabbi Chija on
the authority of Rabbi ... 10:17-20); 4, Jesus addressed them as persons, and they ...
/.../mcgarvey/the four-fold gospel/xxxi healing a demoniac in.htm

The Trinity
... Before the mountains were settled, before the hills, was I ... Therefore, if there be
not three persons in the Godhead ... he does it by his own power and authority. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/watson/a body of divinity/12 the trinity.htm

Whether There is a Gratuitous Grace of Working Miracles?
... have all faith, so that I could remove mountains," or of other persons for whose ...
30) that "the saints work miracles, sometimes by authority, sometimes by ...
/.../aquinas/summa theologica/whether there is a gratuitous.htm

Psalm LXXII.
... fellowship of the Church of Christ the authority of kings ... For the tops of the mountains
it is meet ... the divine Scriptures, that is, those persons through whom ...
/.../augustine/exposition on the book of psalms/psalm lxxii.htm

Of the Commissioners Hellebichus Commander of the Troops, and ...
... to be nobodies, men habituated to mountains and forests ... I speak of the rich, and
of those in authority? When those very persons who had been invested with power ...
/.../chrysostom/on the priesthood/homily xvii of the commissioners.htm

How the People Raised a Sedition against Archelaus, and How He ...
... men, while the rest went to the neighboring mountains. ... had been killed, than to the
authority of Archelaus ... of themselves, but in forcing sober persons to avenge ...
/.../josephus/the antiquities of the jews/chapter 9 how the people.htm