Audio Download

The Spiritual Journey Through the Mountains of Scripture

[Study Aired April 1, 2025]

Throughout God’s Word, mountains stand as powerful symbols of spiritual truth, far beyond mere geographical landmarks. They become sacred places where God reveals Himself, establishes covenants, receives worship, and transforms His people. When we study these mountains in the order they first appear in Scripture, they reveal the spiritual process by which God brings His people from judgment through salvation to unity and maturity in Christ.

“Who hath measured the waters in the hollow of his hand, and meted out heaven with the span, and comprehended the dust of the earth in a measure, and weighed the mountains in scales, and the hills in a balance?” (Isaiah 40:12)

The physical mountains God carefully placed in His creation reveal profound spiritual truths. As David declared, “Thy righteousness is like the great mountains; thy judgments are a great deep” (Psalm 36:6), showing how these majestic landmarks display aspects of God’s character and work. Jesus taught that “the words that I speak unto you, they are spirit, and they are life” (John 6:63), indicating that the mountains mentioned in Scripture have spiritual significance beyond their natural features.

These mountains mark the pathway of our spiritual growth. Just as God told Israel, “Ye have compassed this mountain long enough: turn you northward” (Deuteronomy 2:3), He leads us from one spiritual experience to another, never allowing us to remain stationary. Each mountain in Scripture reveals an essential stage in our transformation as we “ press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 3:14)

Mount Ararat – New Beginnings Through Judgment

“And the ark rested in the seventh month, on the seventeenth day of the month, upon the mountains of Ararat.” (Genesis 8:4)

The first named mountain in Scripture is Ararat, where Noah’s ark came to rest after the flood. This mountain represents the starting point of our spiritual journey – salvation through judgment. The flood was God’s judgment on a corrupt world, yet through this judgment came rest and new beginnings.

This pattern is central to our spiritual experience. Just as the old world perished in the flood and a new world emerged, so our old nature must begin dying for our new life to begin. Peter connected this truth to our salvation: “The like figure whereunto even baptism doth also now save us (not the putting away of the filth of the flesh, but the answer of a good conscience toward God,) by the resurrection of Jesus Christ.” (1 Peter 3:21)

Ararat teaches that resurrection life only follows the flood of judgment. As Paul declared, “Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed(ing) away; behold, all things are become(ing) new.” (2 Corinthians 5:17)

Mount Moriah – Sacrifice and Obedience

“And he said, Take now thy son, thine only son Isaac, whom thou lovest, and get thee into the land of Moriah; and offer him there for a burnt offering upon one of the mountains which I will tell thee of.” (Genesis 22:2)

Mount Moriah, where Abraham was commanded to offer Isaac, represents sacrifice and obedience. This profound event typifies God offering His own Son. Abraham’s willingness to sacrifice his beloved son demonstrated his complete surrender to God.

“By faith Abraham, when he was tried, offered up Isaac: and he that had received the promises offered up his only begotten son, Of whom it was said, That in Isaac shall thy seed be called: Accounting that God was able to raise him up, even from the dead; from whence also he received him in a figure.” (Hebrews 11:17-19)

At Moriah, God provided another sacrifice, pointing to Christ as the ultimate provision. “And Abraham called the name of that place Jehovahjireh: as it is said to this day, In the mount of the LORD it shall be seen.” (Genesis 22:14)

Moriah teaches that our faith is proven not through mere words but through actions of obedience. It reveals the cost of discipleship – surrendering what we love most to God. Yet it also demonstrates that God Himself provides what He requires, ultimately fulfilled in Christ, “the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world.” (John 1:29)

Mount Sinai (Horeb) – The Law and the Fear of God

“And mount Sinai was altogether on a smoke, because the LORD descended upon it in fire: and the smoke thereof ascended as the smoke of a furnace, and the whole mount quaked greatly.” (Exodus 19:18)

Mount Sinai represents our encounter with God’s holiness through the law. Here God gave the Ten Commandments amid thunder, lightning, smoke, and fire. The people trembled and stood at a distance, revealing the separation between holy God and sinful man.

“For ye are not come unto the mount that might be touched, and that burned with fire, nor unto blackness, and darkness, and tempest, And the sound of a trumpet, and the voice of words; which voice they that heard intreated that the word should not be spoken to them any more… And so terrible was the sight, that Moses said, I exceedingly fear and quake.” (Hebrews 12:18-19, 21)

Paul contrasted Sinai with Zion, explaining: “For these are the two covenants; the one from the mount Sinai, which gendereth to bondage, which is Agar.” (Galatians 4:24)

Sinai reveals our need for a Savior. The Law, though holy and good, exposes sin without providing the power to overcome it. “Wherefore the law was our schoolmaster to bring us unto Christ, that we might be justified by faith.” (Galatians 3:24)

Mount Gerizim and Mount Ebal – Blessing and Cursing

“And it shall come to pass, when the LORD thy God hath brought thee in unto the land whither thou goest to possess it, that thou shalt put the blessing upon mount Gerizim, and the curse upon mount Ebal.” (Deuteronomy 11:29)

These twin mountains near Shechem represented the blessings of obedience and the curses of disobedience. Joshua positioned six tribes on each mountain to declare these truths: “And all Israel, and their elders, and officers, and their judges, stood on this side the ark and on that side before the priests the Levites… half of them over against mount Gerizim, and half of them over against mount Ebal; as Moses the servant of the LORD had commanded before, that they should bless the people of Israel.” (Joshua 8:33)

These mountains represent spiritual discernment – learning to distinguish good from evil. “But strong meat belongeth to them that are of full age, even those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil.” (Hebrews 5:14)

As we mature spiritually, we stand between blessing and cursing, taught by the Spirit to choose life. “I call heaven and earth to record this day against you, that I have set before you life and death, blessing and cursing: therefore choose life, that both thou and thy seed may live.” (Deuteronomy 30:19)

Mount Nebo – Vision Without Possession

“And Moses went up from the plains of Moab unto the mountain of Nebo, to the top of Pisgah, that is over against Jericho. And the LORD shewed him all the land of Gilead, unto Dan.” (Deuteronomy 34:1)

Mount Nebo, where Moses viewed the Promised Land before his death, represents vision without full possession. Moses could see the promise but could not enter because of his disobedience at Meribah. “And the LORD spake unto Moses that selfsame day, saying, Get thee up into this mountain Abarim, unto mount Nebo… and behold the land of Canaan… And die in the mount whither thou goest up, and be gathered unto thy people… Because ye trespassed against me among the children of Israel at the waters of Meribah-Kadesh.” (Deuteronomy 32:48-51)

Only Joshua (whose name means “Jehovah saves” – the Hebrew equivalent of “Jesus”) could lead Israel into the land. This reveals that the law (represented by Moses) can show us God’s promises but cannot bring us into them. Only grace through faith in Christ brings true rest.

Nebo teaches us that knowledge alone is insufficient; we need transformation through Christ. Many see spiritual truths without experiencing them, as the writer of Hebrews noted: “These all died in faith, not having received the promises, but having seen them afar off, and were persuaded of them, and embraced them, and confessed that they were strangers and pilgrims on the earth.” (Hebrews 11:13)

Mount Carmel – Confrontation and Refining Fire

“Now therefore send, and gather to me all Israel unto mount Carmel, and the prophets of Baal four hundred and fifty, and the prophets of the groves four hundred, which eat at Jezebel’s table.” (1 Kings 18:19)

Mount Carmel was the scene of Elijah’s dramatic confrontation with the prophets of Baal. This mountain represents spiritual warfare – the battlefield where truth confronts error and decisions must be made. Elijah challenged the people: “How long halt ye between two opinions? if the LORD be God, follow him: but if Baal, then follow him.” (1 Kings 18:21)

The fire from heaven that consumed Elijah’s sacrifice demonstrated God’s power and reality. This fire represents the refining process that purifies our faith: “Beloved, think it not strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened unto you: But rejoice, inasmuch as ye are partakers of Christ’s sufferings; that, when his glory shall be revealed, ye may be glad also with exceeding joy.” (1 Peter 4:12-13)

Carmel teaches us that spiritual growth requires confrontation with falsehood. God’s fire burns away what is false and establishes His truth in our hearts.

Mount Bashan – The Pride of the Flesh Challenged

“The hill of God is as the hill of Bashan; an high hill as the hill of Bashan. Why leap ye, ye high hills? this is the hill which God desireth to dwell in; yea, the LORD will dwell in it forever.” (Psalm 68:15-16)

Mount Bashan was known for its impressive height and grandeur, yet in this psalm, we see that God passed over such imposing mountains and instead chose Mount Zion as His dwelling place. The psalmist pictures the lofty hills of Bashan as envious, asking why they “leap” (or look with envy) at the smaller hill God has chosen for His habitation.

This divine choice reveals a profound spiritual principle: God does not select what appears mighty in human estimation. “But God hath chosen the foolish things of the world to confound the wise; and God hath chosen the weak things of the world to confound the things which are mighty; And base things of the world, and things which are despised, hath God chosen, yea, and things which are not, to bring to nought things that are: That no flesh should glory in his presence.” (1 Corinthians 1:27-29)

Bashan symbolizes religious pride and fleshly strength – impressive in appearance but ultimately rejected as God’s dwelling place. The contrast between the majestic Bashan and the relatively modest Zion teaches us that God deliberately chooses what seems less significant to human eyes, confounding worldly wisdom.

This pattern appears throughout Scripture, where God consistently chooses the unlikely: Jacob over Esau, David over his brothers, and ultimately the cross itself – “For the preaching of the cross is to them that perish foolishness; but unto us which are saved it is the power of God.” (1 Corinthians 1:18)

Bashan reveals how God’s ways directly contradict human reasoning. “For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith the LORD. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts.” (Isaiah 55:8-9)

While man looks at outward appearance, the Lord looks at the heart: “But the LORD said unto Samuel, Look not on his countenance, or on the height of his stature; because I have refused him: for the LORD seeth not as man seeth; for man looketh on the outward appearance, but the LORD looketh on the heart.” (1 Samuel 16:7)

He deliberately chooses to dwell with the humble: “For thus saith the high and lofty One that inhabiteth eternity, whose name is Holy; I dwell in the high and holy place, with him also that is of a contrite and humble spirit, to revive the spirit of the humble, and to revive the heart of the contrite ones.” (Isaiah 57:15)

As we grow in Christ, we too must learn to recognize and reject the “high hills” of fleshly strength and religious pride, embracing instead the humility of Zion where God’s presence truly dwells. “For the LORD hath chosen Zion; he hath desired it for his habitation. This is my rest for ever: here will I dwell; for I have desired it.” (Psalm 132:13-14)

Mount Hermon – Anointed Unity from Above

“Behold, how good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity! It is like the precious ointment upon the head, that ran down upon the beard, even Aaron’s beard: that went down to the skirts of his garments; As the dew of Hermon, and as the dew that descended upon the mountains of Zion: for there the LORD commanded the blessing, even life for evermore.” (Psalm 133:1-3)

Mount Hermon, the tallest mountain in the region, was known for its abundant dew. Psalm 133 uses this dew as a symbol of unity among God’s people. Unlike manufactured harmony, this unity descends from above, like dew, nourishing all it touches.

Hermon represents the unity of the Spirit that comes as we mature in Christ. “Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ.” (Ephesians 4:13)

This unity cannot be produced by our effort but comes from above as a gift: “Endeavouring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.” (Ephesians 4:3) The dew of Hermon teaches us that true spiritual unity is divine in origin, refreshing in effect, and brings abundant life.

Mount of Olives – Watchfulness, Suffering, and Return

“And his feet shall stand in that day upon the mount of Olives, which is before Jerusalem on the east, and the mount of Olives shall cleave in the midst thereof toward the east and toward the west, and there shall be a very great valley; and half of the mountain shall remove toward the north, and half of it toward the south.” (Zechariah 14:4) “And as he sat upon the mount of Olives, the disciples came unto him privately, saying, Tell us, when shall these things be? and what shall be the sign of thy coming, and of the end of the world?” (Matthew 24:3)

The Mount of Olives is deeply intertwined with Jesus’ ministry, suffering, and promised return. Here He taught His disciples about the end times, sitting on the mountainside overlooking Jerusalem. It was from this vantage point that “he beheld the city, and wept over it” (Luke 19:41), foreseeing its coming destruction. In the garden of Gethsemane on this mount, He experienced profound agony in prayer: “And he came out, and went, as he was wont, to the mount of Olives; and his disciples also followed him… And he was withdrawn from them about a stone’s cast, and kneeled down, and prayed” (Luke 22:39, 41). After His resurrection, this same mountain became the site of His ascension, as recorded in Acts: “Then returned they unto Jerusalem from the mount called Olivet, which is from Jerusalem a sabbath day’s journey” (Acts 1:12).

The name comes from the olive trees that covered it, whose fruit was pressed to produce oil – a symbol of the Holy Spirit. This pressing process reminds us of Christ’s suffering in Gethsemane (which means “oil press”) and our own trials that produce spiritual growth.

The Mount of Olives teaches watchfulness and readiness. “Watch ye therefore, and pray always, that ye may be accounted worthy to escape all these things that shall come to pass, and to stand before the Son of man.” (Luke 21:36)

It also speaks of Christ’s return, when “this same Jesus, which is taken up from you into heaven, shall so come in like manner as ye have seen him go into heaven.” (Acts 1:11)

Mount Zion – The Dwelling of God with His People

“But ye are come unto mount Sion, and unto the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem, and to an innumerable company of angels, To the general assembly and church of the firstborn, which are written in heaven, and to God the Judge of all, and to the spirits of just men made perfect, And to Jesus the mediator of the new covenant, and to the blood of sprinkling, that speaketh better things than that of Abel.” (Hebrews 12:22-24)

Mount Zion represents the fullness of God’s purpose – mature sons dwelling in perfect union with Christ. While Sinai represents the law with its terror and separation, Zion represents grace, access, and communion.

Physically, Zion was where David established his throne and Solomon built the temple. Spiritually, it represents God’s presence with His people. “The LORD hath chosen Zion; he hath desired it for his habitation. This is my rest for ever: here will I dwell; for I have desired it.” (Psalm 132:13-14)

Revelation shows the Lamb standing on Mount Zion with the 144,000 who had “his Father’s name written in their foreheads” (Revelation 14:1). This reveals Zion as the place of completion and victory.

Zion teaches that our spiritual journey culminates in perfect communion with God. What begins with judgment at Ararat finds fulfillment in the glory of Zion – God dwelling with His perfected people.

Conclusion

The mountains of Scripture reveal the progressive work of God in transforming His people. From judgment and salvation at Ararat to the mature reign with Christ on Mount Zion, each mountain teaches us a vital spiritual truth.

This journey is not merely historical but personal. Each believer experiences these spiritual realities as God works to conform us to Christ’s image. As we navigate the landscapes of our own lives, these mountain landmarks guide us, revealing where we are and where God is taking us.

“For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brethren.” (Romans 8:29)

The God who led Abraham to Moriah, Moses to Sinai, Elijah to Carmel, and Jesus to Olivet is leading us also – mountain by mountain, glory to glory – until we arrive at Mount Zion, the city of the living God, where we shall dwell with Him forever.

“And it shall come to pass in the last days, that the mountain of the LORD’S house shall be established in the top of the mountains, and shall be exalted above the hills; and all nations shall flow unto it.” (Isaiah 2:2)

“How beautiful upon the mountains are the feet of him that bringeth good tidings, that publisheth peace; that bringeth good tidings of good, that publisheth salvation; that saith unto Zion, Thy God reigneth!” (Isaiah 52:7)

“Thy righteousness is like the great mountains; thy judgments are a great deep: O LORD, thou preservest man and beast.” (Psalm 36:6)

“Who shall ascend into the hill of the LORD? or who shall stand in his holy place? He that hath clean hands, and a pure heart; who hath not lifted up his soul unto vanity, nor sworn deceitfully. He shall receive the blessing from the LORD, and righteousness from the God of his salvation.” (Psalm 24:3-5)

“And I looked, and, lo, a Lamb stood on the mount Sion, and with him a hundred forty and four thousand, having his Father’s name written in their foreheads.” (Revelation 14:1)