The Mountain

Have you ever noticed that a lot of important stories in the Bible take place on a mountain? As you are now aware, The Bible Project just released a new theme video and study! This study will explore the meaning of mountains in the ancient imagination, why they have a prominent place in the Bible, and what wisdom is gained from this theme today.

Today we will be more open and informal than normal. Not that we are normally very formal, but I want everyone to participate as you feel comfortable. Maybe something makes you think of a question to ask or inspires you to share your thoughts or experience. Feel free to do that as we study this theme and hopefully learn some cool things together along the way.

You aren’t expected to participate, so there is no need to feel uncomfortable. In fact, I will try not to make anyone feel singled out or feel like I am waiting for you to answer a question. So if you do want to share you may have to interrupt me to get my attention.

Reflect

To start, I want to reflect on the video we just watched and then we will move into scripture to study the theme. My first question for this morning is if anything stood out to you in the video? For me, I love how isolating the theme of the mountain tells a unique story. As we read each story in the bible, they can teach several messages and focus on varying aspects, but when we trace out a specific theme in the bible it speaks in a very special way.

The big thing that stands out in my mind is God’s interaction with humanity. Mountains are always a place people go to interact with God, but I usually don’t think about how much “coming to us” God is doing on these mountains. He starts off by putting us in this mountain space so that we can always be with Him. Humanity messes it all up by wanting to do it our way, throughout scripture we even try to create high places on mountains to do things our way. But when we go to meet God on these mountains He always comes down to the mountain to meet with us too.

This way of visualizing God really breaths life into the relationship we have with God. He isn’t just some distant God that we go running to when we are in trouble, He is a relational God. He chases after us. I like the way Nate Sala words it in the bible study that I have been reading this week…

The salvation that Jesus offers does not hinge on a momentary decision but an entirely new dynamic with God. This is a spiritual bond of marriage that entails both the person who calls on the name of God and the God who calls that person to Himself.

In his sermon at Pentecost, Peter references the prophecy of Joel when he says this…

Acts 2:21 ESV

21 And it shall come to pass that everyone who calls upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.’… 39 For the promise is for you and for your children and for all who are far off, everyone whom the Lord our God calls to himself.”

This also makes me think of the story of Noah. God baptises the earth with the flood as a sort of cosmic reset, and He reverses the creation work of Genesis by plunging the earth back into the chaotic waters. Afterward, He sends a mountain to rescue Noah.

As a side note, one of my favorite stories in the bible is about Elijah. A fair amount of it also takes place on a mountain.

Before we start, would anyone like to share any thoughts about the video?

Does anyone have any questions? Your question may be answered as we go through this study, but I will write it down and we might be able to explore it in more detail. Speaking of questions, before we finish this study about the theme of Mountains in the bible, will take a look at some frequently asked questions from the Bible Project’s website.

Let’s pray, and then we will continue to meditate on the mountain theme by reading Scripture passages and reflecting on core ideas.

Pray

Read and Discover

To study this theme we are going to look at some specific passages in scripture to discover how the theme of the mountain emerges by reading the passages and pondering some questions about those passages.

Over the course of this study we will look at nine passages. There are three passages from each of the three larger sections of the Bible, which are the Torah (or the book of the law), the Prophets and Writings, and then the New Testament. We will go as fast or slow as you want to, but so you know, I am not planning to go any further than the first three passages today, at most. If anybody would like to read any of the passages, please yell it out or raise your hand. I would love for someone to read, if you want.

Our first passage comes from the second chapter of Genesis, so it should be pretty easy to find. As you open your bibles, the mountain we are going to be on in this passage is the Mountain Garden of Eden. Here is the question we will focus on, but feel free to share any other observations you have after we read verses 4-17…

Section 1: Torah

1: Eden as a Mountain Garden | What does Genesis 2 tell us about God’s design for life on the mountain?

Genesis 2:4–17 ESV

4 These are the generations of the heavens and the earth when they were created, in the day that the Lord God made the earth and the heavens. 5 When no bush of the field was yet in the land and no small plant of the field had yet sprung up—for the Lord God had not caused it to rain on the land, and there was no man to work the ground, 6 and a mist was going up from the land and was watering the whole face of the ground— 7 then the Lord God formed the man of dust from the ground and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life, and the man became a living creature. 8 And the Lord God planted a garden in Eden, in the east, and there he put the man whom he had formed. 9 And out of the ground the Lord God made to spring up every tree that is pleasant to the sight and good for food. The tree of life was in the midst of the garden, and the tree of the knowledge of good and evil. 10 A river flowed out of Eden to water the garden, and there it divided and became four rivers. 11 The name of the first is the Pishon. It is the one that flowed around the whole land of Havilah, where there is gold. 12 And the gold of that land is good; bdellium and onyx stone are there. 13 The name of the second river is the Gihon. It is the one that flowed around the whole land of Cush. 14 And the name of the third river is the Tigris, which flows east of Assyria. And the fourth river is the Euphrates. 15 The Lord God took the man and put him in the garden of Eden to work it and keep it. 16 And the Lord God commanded the man, saying, “You may surely eat of every tree of the garden, 17 but of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil you shall not eat, for in the day that you eat of it you shall surely die.”

What was God’s design for life on the mountain?

God created humans to be with Him on a mountain. He draws us to Him and we call on Him in a spiritual bond of marriage. Together, we work with God to maintain and care for this Holy place we share. There is also an important aspect of respect and obedience. In this place we learn to deny our selfish desires and replace them with the discipline to follow and obey God, who wants us to care for those around us instead of focusing on ourselves.

I think that is an important part of working in the garden. It would be similar to my house. Every morning when I get out of bed I pull the sheets back over the mattress and try to pick up after myself. The crazy thing is, I don’t do it for me! When I was a kid I slept on top of the sheets so that I wouldn’t have to make the bed in the morning because I hated making the bed. Today I do it because I noticed that every day Amy was making the bed after she got dressed for work. So now I try to help with the work and care of making the bed.

We work in our relationship with God on the mountain so that relationship will grow and prosper. We also work in that relationship because it spreads and involves other followers of Christ who share the space with us.

Is there anything else that you noticed from Genesis 2?

Staying in Genesis, let’s head on over to our next mountain in chapter 22. Mount Moriah. Here is our focus question…

2: Abraham’s Test on Mount Moriah | How does Abraham succeed where the humans in Eden failed?

Genesis 22:1–19 ESV

1 After these things God tested Abraham and said to him, “Abraham!” And he said, “Here I am.” 2 He said, “Take your son, your only son Isaac, whom you love, and go to the land of Moriah, and offer him there as a burnt offering on one of the mountains of which I shall tell you.” 3 So Abraham rose early in the morning, saddled his donkey, and took two of his young men with him, and his son Isaac. And he cut the wood for the burnt offering and arose and went to the place of which God had told him. 4 On the third day Abraham lifted up his eyes and saw the place from afar. 5 Then Abraham said to his young men, “Stay here with the donkey; I and the boy will go over there and worship and come again to you.” 6 And Abraham took the wood of the burnt offering and laid it on Isaac his son. And he took in his hand the fire and the knife. So they went both of them together. 7 And Isaac said to his father Abraham, “My father!” And he said, “Here I am, my son.” He said, “Behold, the fire and the wood, but where is the lamb for a burnt offering?” 8 Abraham said, “God will provide for himself the lamb for a burnt offering, my son.” So they went both of them together. 9 When they came to the place of which God had told him, Abraham built the altar there and laid the wood in order and bound Isaac his son and laid him on the altar, on top of the wood. 10 Then Abraham reached out his hand and took the knife to slaughter his son. 11 But the angel of the Lord called to him from heaven and said, “Abraham, Abraham!” And he said, “Here I am.” 12 He said, “Do not lay your hand on the boy or do anything to him, for now I know that you fear God, seeing you have not withheld your son, your only son, from me.” 13 And Abraham lifted up his eyes and looked, and behold, behind him was a ram, caught in a thicket by his horns. And Abraham went and took the ram and offered it up as a burnt offering instead of his son. 14 So Abraham called the name of that place, “The Lord will provide”; as it is said to this day, “On the mount of the Lord it shall be provided.” 15 And the angel of the Lord called to Abraham a second time from heaven 16 and said, “By myself I have sworn, declares the Lord, because you have done this and have not withheld your son, your only son, 17 I will surely bless you, and I will surely multiply your offspring as the stars of heaven and as the sand that is on the seashore. And your offspring shall possess the gate of his enemies, 18 and in your offspring shall all the nations of the earth be blessed, because you have obeyed my voice.” 19 So Abraham returned to his young men, and they arose and went together to Beersheba. And Abraham lived at Beersheba.

How does Abraham succeed where the humans in Eden failed?

This is a very interesting question to ponder. The first thing that comes to my mind are some stand-out differences in the two stories. First of all, when God called out to Abraham he said, “Here I am.” Does anyone remember what Adam and Eve said when God called out to them? They heard God coming and hid! They were naked and afraid and hid.

Abraham says, “Here I am.” Then God asks Him to sacrifice the most important thing to him. His son. There was no hesitation on Abraham’s part. Either that or Isaac was really getting on his nerves, because it says that he got up early in the morning and started packing.

Another difference is that Adam and Eve were already hanging out on the mountain. Abraham had to hike up the mountain with all of his stuff. When Adam and Eve had to make a choice between what they wanted and what God wanted, they chose themselves. Abraham trusted God. In fact, this story is overloaded with similarities and prophecy of God making the ultimate sacrifice of His own son for us. Isaac carries the wood up the mountain, just as Jesus carried the cross. Abraham built the altar, laid out the wood, bound Isaac, and put him on the wood and altar. Then Abraham reaches out with a knife to pierce Isaac. Scene for scene, this story is identical to Jesus’ Crucifixion, except instead of showing up to stop the sacrifice, the angels showed up after Jesus had risen.

There are many ways in which Abraham succeeded where the Edenites failed. The similarity to Jesus being the biggest. In other words, Abraham was a better representative picture of how the humans were intended to interact with God. The ultimate trust! When we read his story, we know it is a test. We are told in the first sentence. Abraham didn’t know. He only new to trust God, so he did.

Adam and Eve didn’t know how to let go of what they wanted. In this moment, Abraham didn’t know how to do anything else. He knew God could do the impossible. Was God going to keep his son from harm? Was God going to raise his son? Was God going to replace his son? Was God going to let him take the place of his son? Apparently, he didn’t know and he didn’t care because he knew God was in control. God called him up to this mountain, and Abraham would trust God. One commentary describes Abraham as having CONFIDENT TRUST IN GOD.

That is quite a bit different than the feeling we get from Adam and Even as we read their story.

Is there anything else you noticed? Where else did Abraham succeed where Adam and Eve failed?

Go ahead and turn to chapter 19 in the book of Exodus for our last mountain for today…

3: The Agreement and the Tent at Mount Sinai | How are the Israelites’ encounters with God at Mount Sinai and the tabernacle similar to the humans’ experience with God in Eden? How are they different?

Exodus 19:1–25 ESV

1 On the third new moon after the people of Israel had gone out of the land of Egypt, on that day they came into the wilderness of Sinai. 2 They set out from Rephidim and came into the wilderness of Sinai, and they encamped in the wilderness. There Israel encamped before the mountain, 3 while Moses went up to God. The Lord called to him out of the mountain, saying, “Thus you shall say to the house of Jacob, and tell the people of Israel: 4 ‘You yourselves have seen what I did to the Egyptians, and how I bore you on eagles’ wings and brought you to myself. 5 Now therefore, if you will indeed obey my voice and keep my covenant, you shall be my treasured possession among all peoples, for all the earth is mine; 6 and you shall be to me a kingdom of priests and a holy nation.’ These are the words that you shall speak to the people of Israel.” 7 So Moses came and called the elders of the people and set before them all these words that the Lord had commanded him. 8 All the people answered together and said, “All that the Lord has spoken we will do.” And Moses reported the words of the people to the Lord. 9 And the Lord said to Moses, “Behold, I am coming to you in a thick cloud, that the people may hear when I speak with you, and may also believe you forever.” When Moses told the words of the people to the Lord, 10 the Lord said to Moses, “Go to the people and consecrate them today and tomorrow, and let them wash their garments 11 and be ready for the third day. For on the third day the Lord will come down on Mount Sinai in the sight of all the people. 12 And you shall set limits for the people all around, saying, ‘Take care not to go up into the mountain or touch the edge of it. Whoever touches the mountain shall be put to death. 13 No hand shall touch him, but he shall be stoned or shot; whether beast or man, he shall not live.’ When the trumpet sounds a long blast, they shall come up to the mountain.” 14 So Moses went down from the mountain to the people and consecrated the people; and they washed their garments. 15 And he said to the people, “Be ready for the third day; do not go near a woman.” 16 On the morning of the third day there were thunders and lightnings and a thick cloud on the mountain and a very loud trumpet blast, so that all the people in the camp trembled. 17 Then Moses brought the people out of the camp to meet God, and they took their stand at the foot of the mountain. 18 Now Mount Sinai was wrapped in smoke because the Lord had descended on it in fire. The smoke of it went up like the smoke of a kiln, and the whole mountain trembled greatly. 19 And as the sound of the trumpet grew louder and louder, Moses spoke, and God answered him in thunder. 20 The Lord came down on Mount Sinai, to the top of the mountain. And the Lord called Moses to the top of the mountain, and Moses went up. 21 And the Lord said to Moses, “Go down and warn the people, lest they break through to the Lord to look and many of them perish. 22 Also let the priests who come near to the Lord consecrate themselves, lest the Lord break out against them.” 23 And Moses said to the Lord, “The people cannot come up to Mount Sinai, for you yourself warned us, saying, ‘Set limits around the mountain and consecrate it.’ ” 24 And the Lord said to him, “Go down, and come up bringing Aaron with you. But do not let the priests and the people break through to come up to the Lord, lest he break out against them.” 25 So Moses went down to the people and told them.

How are the Israelites’ encounters with God at Mount Sinai and the tabernacle similar to the humans’ experience with God in Eden and how are they different?

There is a lot going on here and definitely a lot to just sit and ponder, especially when comparing to the other passages we have already read. Some of the obvious similarities that stick out to me are things we’ve mentioned earlier. First of all, did you notice that in verse 4 God specifically stated that He “brought the Israelites to Himself”? Here we are again with God bringing humans to Himself on a mountain, almost as if that is how He makes this spiritual marriage official!

God also declares that these people are His and He is making them a holy nation, a kingdom of priests (just as Jesus makes us a kingdom of priests as His followers), and all that the Israelites have to do is trust God. Trust Him as Adam and Eve should have done. Trust Him as Abraham did do.

In this story we also see “work” language. The Israelites must consecrate themselves and avoid the mountain where God is so they don’t defile it. That is similar to the work that Adam and Eve were supposed to do on the mountain. God also makes promises to the Israelites and tells them of His nature by way of the commandments.

Something that is similar, yet different this time is that God would only allow a select few people on the mountain with Him. However, instead of a casual, “Hey, you stay here while I go kill my son,” God tells them to stay away at the cost of their life!

This time the mountain looks a little scary, with all of the thunder, lightning, and earthquakes! There was another time in the Old Testament that this mountain was hit with thunder, lightning, and earthquakes. God brought Elijah to this mountain, just as He did Moses and the Israelites! While he was here he experienced something similar, but Elijah learned that God wasn’t in the chaos, He was in the gentle breeze.

We could take this connection a step further and look at the time Jesus went up to the Mount of Olives to pray at the Garden. Hmmm… A garden on a mountain. Apparently it was peaceful there because the disciples were told to stay back as He went up, but they weren’t trembling at the sound of thunder. It was peaceful enough that they fell asleep. The chaos on this mountain was being fought by Jesus as He prayed. Just like Elijah, God sent an angel to comfort Him.

I kind of went down a mountain rabbit trail there, but are there any other similarities or differences that you noticed between the three mountains we have looked at so far?

I have a couple of questions that we can close with. Answer them if you want to, but they are questions designed to give you something to ponder as you continue to study this theme in scripture.

Did the scripture readings deepen your understanding of the mountain theme in some way?

I definitely know that reading these passages while focusing on this theme allows me to notice things in scripture that I wouldn’t ordinarily catch. While it isn’t always a, “Wow, I didn’t know that God loves me!” thing, it tends to give me a similar reaction to what I am reading.

What wisdom does this theme have for us today?

For me, focusing in on a theme in scripture like this really opens up the way I read the bible. It is amazing how deep and interwoven all of scripture is and just shows that there will never be a point in my life where I couldn’t learn something if I just open up my bible and study it. This theme really solidifies the type of deep and intimate relationship God wants to have with us. Sometimes life is chaotic and thunderous, but God has the power to be there in the middle of it and be my retreat. He is always calling me up to the mountain to rest in His presence.

Reflecting on the core idea of the mountain theme, what stands out to you?

The core idea from the video is this…

To receive and enjoy abundant, true life, metaphorically speaking, is to ascend and remain on “the mountain.” This is the place where our humanity and God’s divinity are united. To ascend and remain on the mountain, humans must learn to trust God’s wisdom more than their own. They need to surrender what they think life is, in order to receive God’s true life.

Surrendering what I think life is and learning to trust God’s wisdom, like Abraham, is what stands out to me. It is easy for me to get caught up in the chaos around me and let it distract me. Just like Adam and Eve, that chaos and confusion takes my eyes off of trusting God and I start making decisions on my own. I want to be more like Abraham and have “CONFIDENT TRUST IN GOD.”

Before we close, does anyone have anything else they would like to add?

Pray

Section 2: Prophets and Writings

4: The Temple on Mount Zion | How does Mount Zion reflect God’s splendor?

Psalm 48 ESV

A Song. A Psalm of the Sons of Korah. 1 Great is the Lord and greatly to be praised in the city of our God! His holy mountain, 2 beautiful in elevation, is the joy of all the earth, Mount Zion, in the far north, the city of the great King. 3 Within her citadels God has made himself known as a fortress. 4 For behold, the kings assembled; they came on together. 5 As soon as they saw it, they were astounded; they were in panic; they took to flight. 6 Trembling took hold of them there, anguish as of a woman in labor. 7 By the east wind you shattered the ships of Tarshish. 8 As we have heard, so have we seen in the city of the Lord of hosts, in the city of our God, which God will establish forever. Selah 9 We have thought on your steadfast love, O God, in the midst of your temple. 10 As your name, O God, so your praise reaches to the ends of the earth. Your right hand is filled with righteousness. 11 Let Mount Zion be glad! Let the daughters of Judah rejoice because of your judgments! 12 Walk about Zion, go around her, number her towers, 13 consider well her ramparts, go through her citadels, that you may tell the next generation 14 that this is God, our God forever and ever. He will guide us forever.

5: Elijah on Two Mountains | What similarities and differences do you see between Elijah’s experiences on Mount Carmel and Mount Horeb? How does God respond to Elijah in his despair?

1 Kings 18:20–40 ESV

20 So Ahab sent to all the people of Israel and gathered the prophets together at Mount Carmel. 21 And Elijah came near to all the people and said, “How long will you go limping between two different opinions? If the Lord is God, follow him; but if Baal, then follow him.” And the people did not answer him a word. 22 Then Elijah said to the people, “I, even I only, am left a prophet of the Lord, but Baal’s prophets are 450 men. 23 Let two bulls be given to us, and let them choose one bull for themselves and cut it in pieces and lay it on the wood, but put no fire to it. And I will prepare the other bull and lay it on the wood and put no fire to it. 24 And you call upon the name of your god, and I will call upon the name of the Lord, and the God who answers by fire, he is God.” And all the people answered, “It is well spoken.” 25 Then Elijah said to the prophets of Baal, “Choose for yourselves one bull and prepare it first, for you are many, and call upon the name of your god, but put no fire to it.” 26 And they took the bull that was given them, and they prepared it and called upon the name of Baal from morning until noon, saying, “O Baal, answer us!” But there was no voice, and no one answered. And they limped around the altar that they had made. 27 And at noon Elijah mocked them, saying, “Cry aloud, for he is a god. Either he is musing, or he is relieving himself, or he is on a journey, or perhaps he is asleep and must be awakened.” 28 And they cried aloud and cut themselves after their custom with swords and lances, until the blood gushed out upon them. 29 And as midday passed, they raved on until the time of the offering of the oblation, but there was no voice. No one answered; no one paid attention. 30 Then Elijah said to all the people, “Come near to me.” And all the people came near to him. And he repaired the altar of the Lord that had been thrown down. 31 Elijah took twelve stones, according to the number of the tribes of the sons of Jacob, to whom the word of the Lord came, saying, “Israel shall be your name,” 32 and with the stones he built an altar in the name of the Lord. And he made a trench about the altar, as great as would contain two seahs of seed. 33 And he put the wood in order and cut the bull in pieces and laid it on the wood. And he said, “Fill four jars with water and pour it on the burnt offering and on the wood.” 34 And he said, “Do it a second time.” And they did it a second time. And he said, “Do it a third time.” And they did it a third time. 35 And the water ran around the altar and filled the trench also with water. 36 And at the time of the offering of the oblation, Elijah the prophet came near and said, “O Lord, God of Abraham, Isaac, and Israel, let it be known this day that you are God in Israel, and that I am your servant, and that I have done all these things at your word. 37 Answer me, O Lord, answer me, that this people may know that you, O Lord, are God, and that you have turned their hearts back.” 38 Then the fire of the Lord fell and consumed the burnt offering and the wood and the stones and the dust, and licked up the water that was in the trench. 39 And when all the people saw it, they fell on their faces and said, “The Lord, he is God; the Lord, he is God.” 40 And Elijah said to them, “Seize the prophets of Baal; let not one of them escape.” And they seized them. And Elijah brought them down to the brook Kishon and slaughtered them there.

1 Kings 19:1–12 ESV

1 Ahab told Jezebel all that Elijah had done, and how he had killed all the prophets with the sword. 2 Then Jezebel sent a messenger to Elijah, saying, “So may the gods do to me and more also, if I do not make your life as the life of one of them by this time tomorrow.” 3 Then he was afraid, and he arose and ran for his life and came to Beersheba, which belongs to Judah, and left his servant there. 4 But he himself went a day’s journey into the wilderness and came and sat down under a broom tree. And he asked that he might die, saying, “It is enough; now, O Lord, take away my life, for I am no better than my fathers.” 5 And he lay down and slept under a broom tree. And behold, an angel touched him and said to him, “Arise and eat.” 6 And he looked, and behold, there was at his head a cake baked on hot stones and a jar of water. And he ate and drank and lay down again. 7 And the angel of the Lord came again a second time and touched him and said, “Arise and eat, for the journey is too great for you.” 8 And he arose and ate and drank, and went in the strength of that food forty days and forty nights to Horeb, the mount of God. 9 There he came to a cave and lodged in it. And behold, the word of the Lord came to him, and he said to him, “What are you doing here, Elijah?” 10 He said, “I have been very jealous for the Lord, the God of hosts. For the people of Israel have forsaken your covenant, thrown down your altars, and killed your prophets with the sword, and I, even I only, am left, and they seek my life, to take it away.” 11 And he said, “Go out and stand on the mount before the Lord.” And behold, the Lord passed by, and a great and strong wind tore the mountains and broke in pieces the rocks before the Lord, but the Lord was not in the wind. And after the wind an earthquake, but the Lord was not in the earthquake. 12 And after the earthquake a fire, but the Lord was not in the fire. And after the fire the sound of a low whisper.

6: A Future Eden-Like Mount Zion | How will the restored Zion be like a new Eden? What does this reveal about God’s care for all people?

Isaiah 2:2–4 ESV

2 It shall come to pass in the latter days that the mountain of the house of the Lord shall be established as the highest of the mountains, and shall be lifted up above the hills; and all the nations shall flow to it, 3 and many peoples shall come, and say: “Come, let us go up to the mountain of the Lord, to the house of the God of Jacob, that he may teach us his ways and that we may walk in his paths.” For out of Zion shall go forth the law, and the word of the Lord from Jerusalem. 4 He shall judge between the nations, and shall decide disputes for many peoples; and they shall beat their swords into plowshares, and their spears into pruning hooks; nation shall not lift up sword against nation, neither shall they learn war anymore.

Isaiah 65:17–25 ESV

17 “For behold, I create new heavens and a new earth, and the former things shall not be remembered or come into mind. 18 But be glad and rejoice forever in that which I create; for behold, I create Jerusalem to be a joy, and her people to be a gladness. 19 I will rejoice in Jerusalem and be glad in my people; no more shall be heard in it the sound of weeping and the cry of distress. 20 No more shall there be in it an infant who lives but a few days, or an old man who does not fill out his days, for the young man shall die a hundred years old, and the sinner a hundred years old shall be accursed. 21 They shall build houses and inhabit them; they shall plant vineyards and eat their fruit. 22 They shall not build and another inhabit; they shall not plant and another eat; for like the days of a tree shall the days of my people be, and my chosen shall long enjoy the work of their hands. 23 They shall not labor in vain or bear children for calamity, for they shall be the offspring of the blessed of the Lord, and their descendants with them. 24 Before they call I will answer; while they are yet speaking I will hear. 25 The wolf and the lamb shall graze together; the lion shall eat straw like the ox, and dust shall be the serpent’s food. They shall not hurt or destroy in all my holy mountain,” says the Lord.

Section 3: New Testament

7: Jesus’ Sermon on the Mount | What is the relationship between Jesus’ teaching on a mountain and Moses’ teaching on Mount Sinai? What does this reveal about the community Jesus is forming?

Matthew 5:1–16 ESV

1 Seeing the crowds, he went up on the mountain, and when he sat down, his disciples came to him. 2 And he opened his mouth and taught them, saying: 3 “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. 4 “Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted. 5 “Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth. 6 “Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be satisfied. 7 “Blessed are the merciful, for they shall receive mercy. 8 “Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God. 9 “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God. 10 “Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. 11 “Blessed are you when others revile you and persecute you and utter all kinds of evil against you falsely on my account. 12 Rejoice and be glad, for your reward is great in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you. 13 “You are the salt of the earth, but if salt has lost its taste, how shall its saltiness be restored? It is no longer good for anything except to be thrown out and trampled under people’s feet. 14 “You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden. 15 Nor do people light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a stand, and it gives light to all in the house. 16 In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.

8: Jesus’ Transfiguration on a Mountain | How does Jesus’ transfiguration on a mountain parallel Moses on Mount Sinai? What does this reveal about Jesus’ identity?

Matthew 17:1–9 ESV

1 And after six days Jesus took with him Peter and James, and John his brother, and led them up a high mountain by themselves. 2 And he was transfigured before them, and his face shone like the sun, and his clothes became white as light. 3 And behold, there appeared to them Moses and Elijah, talking with him. 4 And Peter said to Jesus, “Lord, it is good that we are here. If you wish, I will make three tents here, one for you and one for Moses and one for Elijah.” 5 He was still speaking when, behold, a bright cloud overshadowed them, and a voice from the cloud said, “This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased; listen to him.” 6 When the disciples heard this, they fell on their faces and were terrified. 7 But Jesus came and touched them, saying, “Rise, and have no fear.” 8 And when they lifted up their eyes, they saw no one but Jesus only. 9 And as they were coming down the mountain, Jesus commanded them, “Tell no one the vision, until the Son of Man is raised from the dead.”

9: The Heavenly Mount Zion Joining Earth | What contrasts does Hebrews 12:18-29 make between Mount Sinai and the heavenly Mount Zion? How do these passages encourage us to live now as we wait for God to bring Heaven down to Earth?

Hebrews 12:18–29 ESV

18 For you have not come to what may be touched, a blazing fire and darkness and gloom and a tempest 19 and the sound of a trumpet and a voice whose words made the hearers beg that no further messages be spoken to them. 20 For they could not endure the order that was given, “If even a beast touches the mountain, it shall be stoned.” 21 Indeed, so terrifying was the sight that Moses said, “I tremble with fear.” 22 But you have come to Mount Zion and to the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem, and to innumerable angels in festal gathering, 23 and to the assembly of the firstborn who are enrolled in heaven, and to God, the judge of all, and to the spirits of the righteous made perfect, 24 and to Jesus, the mediator of a new covenant, and to the sprinkled blood that speaks a better word than the blood of Abel. 25 See that you do not refuse him who is speaking. For if they did not escape when they refused him who warned them on earth, much less will we escape if we reject him who warns from heaven. 26 At that time his voice shook the earth, but now he has promised, “Yet once more I will shake not only the earth but also the heavens.” 27 This phrase, “Yet once more,” indicates the removal of things that are shaken—that is, things that have been made—in order that the things that cannot be shaken may remain. 28 Therefore let us be grateful for receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken, and thus let us offer to God acceptable worship, with reverence and awe, 29 for our God is a consuming fire.

Revelation 21:1–4 ESV

1 Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and the sea was no more. 2 And I saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. 3 And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, “Behold, the dwelling place of God is with man. He will dwell with them, and they will be his people, and God himself will be with them as their God. 4 He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away.”… 10 And he carried me away in the Spirit to a great, high mountain, and showed me the holy city Jerusalem coming down out of heaven from God,

Review Core Idea

After reading and discussing all nine passages of Scripture, compare your group’s findings to the core idea from the video.

To receive and enjoy abundant, true life, metaphorically speaking, is to ascend and remain on “the mountain.” This is the place where our humanity and God’s divinity are united. To ascend and remain on the mountain, humans must learn to trust God’s wisdom more than their own. They need to surrender what they think life is, in order to receive God’s true life.

Discuss Learnings

Conclude your time together by reflecting on God’s wisdom from Scripture and how it applies to your community. Give space for whatever wisdom and learning comes to the surface. You can also return to the questions you wrote down at the beginning of this study. Here are some optional questions to guide your discussion:

What questions do you still have?

Did the readings deepen your understanding of the theme in some way? If so, share how.

Reflecting on the core idea of the mountain theme, what stands out to you?

What wisdom does this theme have for us today?

What key takeaways do you have from this study?

Frequently Asked Questions

The mountain is a complex topic and it’s understandable to still have questions. Here are some of the questions we hear most often:

How do we experience God’s presence in daily life? Do we need to go to a mountaintop?

Anyone who has ever stood on a mountain peak, gazing at craggy cliffs, emerald forests, and sparkling lakes, will understand what it’s like to be filled with wonder, awe, and awareness of God. We sometimes feel closer to God when we see the beauty of his creation and realize how small we are in its vast expanse. So it’s not hard to imagine why ancient people saw mountains as the meeting place of Heaven and Earth.

Getting away from distractions and having time set aside to intentionally seek God can also help us sense his presence. That’s why some people talk about “mountaintop” experiences at a spiritual retreat or church camp. 

But we don’t have to go to the mountains or on a spiritual retreat to encounter God. The fiery presence of God that the Israelites saw on Mount Sinai came down to dwell among them in the tabernacle and later the temple. And after Jesus' death and resurrection, that fiery presence came to live in his people as they were filled with the Holy Spirit (Acts 2).

So we are now the place where Heaven and Earth meet. God’s mountaintop presence lives in us. Spiritual practices like prayer, meditating on the Bible, worshiping God in community, and giving generously can help us become more aware of God’s presence in our daily lives. But even when we can’t feel God’s presence, we can trust that he’s with us.

What does Matthew 17:20 mean? Can faith literally move a mountain?

In Matthew 17:14-16, Jesus’ disciples are unable to heal a demon-possessed boy even though Jesus has given them the authority to do so (Matt. 10:1). So after Jesus casts out the demon, he implies that their way of trusting God is too limited. He says to them, “If you have faith like a mustard seed, you will say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there,’ and it will move. And nothing will be impossible for you.” (Matt. 17:20)

Although Jesus’ disciples recognize that he is the Messiah, the promised king in the line of David (Matt 16:16), they don’t understand what kind of kingdom he has come to build or how he intends to build it. Jesus’ words here are sandwiched between two statements about the fact that he will suffer and die (Matt. 17:11-13; Matt. 17:22-23). He has not come to lead an army into Jerusalem and overthrow the Romans, as many expected the Messiah to do. Instead, Jesus works to bring God’s Kingdom to Earth as it is in Heaven. 

Jesus demonstrates what God’s Kingdom looks like when he prays for his enemies – rather than responding with violence, even as they kill him (Luke 23:34) – and when he liberates people from all kinds of bondage, as he frees the boy from the oppressive demon. Such an act may seem impossible, like moving a mountain. But Jesus’ words imply that even what seems impossible can happen when it accords with God’s will and is done in faith—even the tiniest measure of faith.

This does not mean that people can simply marshal God’s power toward their own ends. And the context of the book reveals that faith is more than simply believing that God can intervene; it’s surrendering to God’s plans, just as Jesus submits to the Father’s will in the Garden of Gethsemane (Matt. 26:39). But Jesus challenges his followers to trust that the liberating power of God’s kingdom can come through them.

Jesus’ reference to the mountain may also have another layer of meaning. In the biblical imagination, mountains are places where Heaven and Earth meet. And in the larger context, “this mountain” likely refers to the mountain where Peter, James, and John experience Jesus’ divine splendor (Matt. 17:1-8). Now through Jesus, the way that Heaven touches Earth is undergoing a cosmic transformation. Jesus is God’s mountain presence come down to Earth. And he’s giving his followers the ability to bring the healing power of God’s mountain presence to the world around them.

What is the first mountain mentioned in the Bible?

The word “mountain” (Hebrew har) first appears in the Bible in the account of Noah and the flood. Genesis 7:19-20 describes floodwaters covering the mountains, and Genesis 8:4 tells us that Noah’s ark eventually comes to a stop on “the mountains of Ararat.” 

But according to Ezekiel 28:13-14, the Garden of Eden was on “the holy mountain of God.” So when the opening pages of the Bible describe God planting a beautiful garden as a place for him to dwell with his people, that garden is on a mountain. 

On what mountain does Moses receive the Ten Commandments?

Moses receives the Ten Commandments (Exod. 20:1-17) on Mount Sinai ּ(Exod. 19:20; Exod. 31:18)—also known as Horeb (see Deut. 5:1-21)—which is located between the two fingers of the Red Sea. 

But Moses first encounters God on Mount Sinai/Horeb in a burning bush, when God calls him to deliver his people from slavery in Egypt (Exod. 3:1-10). God explains that after the Israelites escape from Egypt, they will worship him on that same mountain (Exod. 3:12). And when Moses eventually arrives at Mount Sinai with the Israelites, God once again reveals himself in fire (Exod. 19:18). So the exodus narrative is framed by fiery divine encounters on this “mountain of God” (see Exod. 3:1; Exod. 24:13-17). 

What are “high places” in the Bible?

A “high place” (Hebrew bamah) is a worship site on a hill or mountain. As the Israelites prepare to enter the land of Canaan, God instructs them to destroy the high places of the Canaanites, which are devoted to other gods (Num. 33:52). Instead of offering their sacrifices at these worship sites scattered throughout the land, they are to bring their sacrifices to a central place, where God will dwell among them (Deut. 12:1-14). Coming together at a central place—the temple in Jerusalem—will unite the people in their worship of the true God so that they don’t turn aside to other gods or divide into religious factions. 

But for centuries the Israelites continue to worship at the high places (see 2 Kgs. 12:3; 2 Kgs. 17:9-12), sometimes even engaging in the Canaanite practice of offering child sacrifice (Jer. 19:4-5). Although a handful of Israel’s kings try to lead their people in following God’s ways, only King Hezekiah and King Josiah make a concerted effort to destroy the high places (2 Kgs. 18:4; 2 Kgs. 23:8; compare 1 Kgs. 15:14; 1 Kgs. 22:43).

How many mountains are listed in the Bible?

The Bible lists many mountains, both named and unnamed. Some of the most significant mountains include:

The mountain where God plants the Garden of Eden (see Ezek. 28:13-14)

Mount Ararat, where God makes a covenant with Noah and all creatures after the flood (Gen. 8-9)

Mount Moriah, where God calls Abraham to sacrifice Isaac (Gen. 22)

Mount Sinai, where God appears to Israel with thunder and lightning and enters into a covenant relationship with them (Exod. 19)

Mount Nebo, where Moses dies, just outside the promised land (Deut. 34)

Mount Zion in Jerusalem, where King Solomon builds the temple (see Ps. 48; 1 Kgs. 6-8), which is also identified with Mount Moriah (2 Chr. 3:1)

Mount Carmel, where Elijah has a showdown with the prophets of Baal (1 Kgs. 18)

The seven mountains noted in Matthew including:

The unnamed place where Jesus gives the Sermon on the Mount (Matt. 5-7) 

The site of his transfiguration (Matt. 17:1-9), which is traditionally identified as Mount Tabor

The Mount of Olives, where Jesus prays in the Garden of Gethsemane before his death (Matt. 26:30-46)

The heavenly Mount Zion, which will one day come down to earth (Heb. 12:18-24; Rev. 21:1-4; Rev. 21:10)

What is the Hebrew meaning of the word for “mountain”?

The Hebrew word har simply means “mountain” or “mountainous region.” It’s a common word in the Hebrew Bible, appearing over 550 times. Mountains provide an important backdrop to Israel’s story because they are viewed as places where Heaven and Earth meet. In the Hebrew Bible, many of the most significant encounters between God and his people occur on mountains. 

Also, the Israelites’ first and best-held settlements in the promised land were in a north-to-south mountain range west of the Jordan River valley, often called the “central hill country.” Since chariots couldn’t navigate the mountainous terrain, this region protected the Israelites from attack by bigger and stronger armies. 

What does “city on a hill” mean?

Jesus says in the Sermon on the Mount, “You are the light of the world. A city that is set up on a mountain is not able to be hidden.” (Matt. 5:14, BP translation) This reference to a shining city on a mountain (or “hill,” as it’s sometimes translated) recalls images from the book of Isaiah. Isaiah 2:2-4 says that one day the nations will stream to Jerusalem on Mount Zion to learn about God’s ways. And Isaiah 60:1-3 says that God’s light will shine out from Jerusalem, drawing the nations to it. 

Jesus explains that these promises will be fulfilled through his followers. They will be the city on a hill, reflecting God’s light to the world around them and showing people the life that comes from following his teachings.