Topical Bible: The Earth: Diversified by Hills and Mountains

◄ The Earth: Diversified by Hills and Mountains ►

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Topical Encyclopedia

The Bible frequently references the earth's topography, highlighting the significance of hills and mountains in the divine narrative. These natural formations are not only geographical features but also hold spiritual and symbolic importance throughout Scripture.

Creation and Purpose

In the creation account, God establishes the earth with its diverse landscapes, including hills and mountains, as part of His perfect design. Genesis 1:9-10 states, "And God said, 'Let the waters under the heavens be gathered into one place, so that the dry land may appear.' And it was so. God called the dry land 'earth,' and the gathering of waters He called 'seas.' And God saw that it was good." This passage underscores the intentionality behind the earth's varied terrain, including its elevated regions.

Mountains as Places of Revelation and Covenant

Mountains often serve as sites of divine revelation and covenant-making. Mount Sinai is a prominent example, where Moses received the Ten Commandments. Exodus 19:20 records, "The LORD descended to the top of Mount Sinai and called Moses to the summit. So Moses went up." This mountain becomes a sacred meeting place between God and His people, symbolizing His law and covenant.

Similarly, Mount Moriah is significant as the location where Abraham was tested in his faith (Genesis 22:2). It later becomes the site of Solomon's Temple, further emphasizing its spiritual importance.

Hills and Mountains in Worship and Prophecy

Hills and mountains are frequently associated with worship and prophecy. The Psalms often reflect this connection, as seen in Psalm 121:1-2 : "I lift up my eyes to the hills. From where does my help come? My help comes from the LORD, the Maker of heaven and earth." Here, the hills symbolize a place of divine assistance and refuge.

Prophetically, mountains are depicted as places of future hope and restoration. Isaiah 2:2 proclaims, "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 time when God's kingdom will be exalted above all earthly powers.

Symbolism of Stability and Permanence

Mountains often symbolize stability and permanence in Scripture. Psalm 125:1-2 illustrates this: "Those who trust in the LORD are like Mount Zion, which cannot be moved but endures forever. As the mountains surround Jerusalem, so the LORD surrounds His people, both now and forevermore." The imagery of mountains conveys God's unchanging nature and His enduring protection over His people.

Challenges and Obstacles

While mountains can represent divine presence and stability, they also symbolize challenges and obstacles. Jesus uses this imagery in Matthew 17:20 , saying, "Truly I tell you, if you have faith the size of a mustard seed, you can say to this mountain, 'Move from here to there,' and it will move. Nothing will be impossible for you." Here, mountains represent formidable challenges that can be overcome through faith.

Conclusion

The Bible's portrayal of hills and mountains reflects their multifaceted role in God's creation and His interactions with humanity. They serve as places of revelation, worship, prophecy, and symbolize both divine stability and the challenges of faith. Through these elevated landscapes, Scripture reveals profound truths about God's character and His relationship with His people.

Torrey's Topical Textbook

Habakkuk 3:6
He stood, and measured the earth: he beheld, and drove asunder the nations; and the everlasting mountains were scattered, the perpetual hills did bow: his ways are everlasting.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Library

Book xii. At Length, with the Holy Ghost Speeding Our Way...
... first the earth was spread out as a plain, and then through better counsels was
made to rise up in mountains, and yet again was diversified with hills, and in ...
/.../the life and writings of st hilary of poitiers/book xii at length with.htm

Spoken in Antioch in the Old Church, as it was Called...
... eyelids gush out with tears." [1091] Ye hills take up ... it not; but let it be not upon
the earth! ... man, experiencing, as he does, frequent and diversified changes ...
/.../chrysostom/on the priesthood/homily ii spoken in antioch.htm

Israel the Beloved
... again, in another analogous but yet diversified representation, we ... the precious things
of the lasting hills, and the precious things of the earth and the ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture f/israel the beloved.htm

Daily Bread
... one love such a scattered, immense, diversified thing as ... in its place, behold the
brown earth touched with ... has this sensibility looks on the hills and woods ...
//christianbookshelf.org/merriam/the chief end of man/v daily bread.htm

Nature of Covenanting.
... in earth, and things under the earth; and that ... of confession, according to its most
diversified character, to ... is salvation hoped for from the hills, and from ...
/.../cunningham/the ordinance of covenanting/chapter i nature of covenanting.htm

Crucified, Dead, and Buried. '
... wood for them, and the soldiery diversified their horrible ... the most sacred spot upon
earth - the Sepulchre ... of falling mountains and burying hills rather than ...
/.../the life and times of jesus the messiah/chapter xv crucified dead and.htm