The Preacher’s Notebook

The Paper and Electronic Pulpit of the First Baptist Church of Mineral Springs, NC
(Delivered by E-mail and Us Postage Through Subscription as an Extension of the Pulpit Ministry of this Church)
Dr. Terry W . Preslar – PO Box 388 – M ineral Springs, NC 28108
(704)843-3858 – E-Mail: preslar12@windstream.net
Copyright (C) 2007. Terry W. Preslar All rights reserved.

Vol. II Extra Issue

The Hills And Mountains

Of The Spiritual Life
(“I will lift up mine eyes unto the hills, from whence cometh my help.” Psa. 121:1)

A Message of “Topographic” Theology

Mountains – An elevated topographical features formed by geological faulting and erosion. The geography
of Palestine featured high mountains and deep rifts. The two usual words for mountain in the Bible are
har (Hebrew – rh - Strongs #H2022) and oros (Greek – oroV - Strongs #G3735). The simple definition
for each is mountain or hill, though they may indicate hill country or a mountainous region.

The Theology of the Hills of the Holy Land speak a universal message to all who observe this object
lesson. “But the land, whither ye go to possess it, is a land of hills and valleys, and drinketh water of the
rain of heaven: 12 A land which the LORD thy God careth for: the eyes of the LORD thy God are always
upon it, from the beginning of the year even unto the end of the year.” (Deut. 11:9-14). The “flat”, dull life
was never the life for believers. It is true that it took over 40 years to reach the land of promise but that was
because of disobedience among the people. A look at a map of the part of the world reveals that they could
have been in the land that flowed with milk and honey in a natural trip of about eleven (11) days. This
illustrates the difficulty of disobedience – it cost them God’s best and will cost us the same. Mountains are
wonderful places in the spiritual life but are seen as a hardship to the natural man.

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I- Many important events in the Bible took place on or near mountains.
A) God called Moses to His work at Mount Horeb, sometimes called “the mountain of God.”
B) A part of God’s call was the promise that the Israelite people would worship there upon their
escape from Egypt (Ex. 3:1-12).
C) After the Exodus, God commanded Moses to gather the people at Mount Sinai (probably
identical to Horeb).
D) There God gave the Law including the Ten Commandments to Moses.
II- Other Old Testament mountain episodes include:
A) Aaron’s death on Mount Hor (Num. 33:38)
B) the death of Moses on Mount Nebo (Deut. 34:1-8)
C) Later, Elijah’s defeat of the prophets of Baal on Mount Carmel (1 Kings 18:15-40).
III- Some of the more famous biblical mountains with their feet elevations are:
A) Ebal in Samaria - (3,084), see Deut. 11:29; 27:4; Josh. 8:30, 33
B) Gerizim in Samaria - (2,890), see Deut. 11:29; 27:12; Josh. 8:33; Judges 9:7
C) Gilboa on which Saul died (1,630), see 1 Sam. 28:4; 31:1; 2 Sam. 1:6, 21
D) Hermon on the northeast border of Palestine (9,230), see Deut. 3:8; Josh. 11:17; 13:11; Psa. 133:3
E) Jerusalem, the chief city of the Holy Land (2,670), see Josh. 10:1; Judges 19:10; 2 Sam. 5:6; 11:1;
15:14; 20:3; 1 Kings 2:11; 8:1; 10:2
F) Nebo, a mountain of Moab (2,630), see Deut. 32:49; 34:1-12
G) Tabor, a mountain of Galilee (1,930), see Judges 4:6, 14; 8:18; Psa. 89:12; Jer. 46:18; Hosea 5:1
H) Sinai, upon which Moses received the Decalogue (7,500), see Ex. 16:1; 19:11; 24:16; 31:18; Lev.
7:38; 26:46; Neh. 9:13; Acts 7:38

I- Much of Jesus’ life and ministry also took place on mountains.

A) One of the temptations took place on “an exceeding high mountain” (Matt. 4:8).
B) Jesus’ most famous teaching session is called the “Sermon on the Mount” (Matt. 5-7).
C) Jesus went up to a mountain to pray (Luke 6:12)
D) Jesus healed the Gadaren demoniac near a mountain site (“Now there was there nigh unto the
mountains a great herd of swine feeding.” Mark 5:11).
II- The term mountain also is used symbolically in the Bible.
A) It is a natural image for stability (Psa. 30:7),
B) Mountains are figured as obstacles (Zech. 4:7)
C) Mountains are seen for God’s power (Psa. 121:1-2).
D) God will remove all obstacles when His redemption is complete, “...and every mountain and hill
shall be made low” (Isa. 40:4).
III- Mountains often have been called “holy places.”
A) Jerusalem (elevation 2,670 feet) often was called Mount Zion
1- the hill of the Lord (Psa. 2:6; 135:21: Isa. 8:18; Joel 3:21; Mic. 4:2).
2- God met His people there in worship.
3- The “New Jerusalem” is also known as Mount Zion (Rev. 14:1).
B) Perhaps it is significant that the scene of the transfiguration was on a mountain (Matt. 17:1-8).
1- Jesus was declared to be preeminent over both Moses and Elijah, the representatives of the Law
and Prophets.
C) Many of their greatest victories came on mountains.
1- Jesus is affirmed as Lord of all at this mountain experience.

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 The Three Mountains of Our Lord
1 Kings 20:28
I- The Hill of HIS dying – Where, in the sight of all, HE laid down HIS life for the Sheep Matt 27:33; Mark
15:22; John 19:17 “... The Place of the Skull...”
A) The mountain that was in the deepest valley
B) The mountain from which can be seen Eternity
C) The mountain that is highest of all

II- The Hill of Glory – Where HE now guards the Sheep of HIS Fold Psa. 48:1-2 “...the Mountain of HIS
Holiness...”
A) On the throne of His Father
B) From the seat of His Glory
C) For the security of his Flock

III- The Hill of HIS Return – Where HE will return to gather out HIS Sheep (Zec.14:4)
A) A mountain of Advent
B) A mountain of Excitement
C) A mountain of Victory

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This Periodical is printed by Gospel Publishing and Colportage, a ministry of the First Baptist
Church of Mineral Springs, NC, and is designed for education, evangelism, and edification. If we may
assist you in knowing more about Christ and the Christian life, please write us without obligation: First
Baptist Church of Mineral Springs PO Box 388, Mineral Springs, NC 28108 (704)843-3858
Psalms 107:2 S É S Romans 12:1-2
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“...when thou comest, bring with thee...the books,

but especially the parchments. (2 Tim. 4:13)
Psalms 107:2 S É S Romans 12:1-2
P.O. Box 388 Mineral Springs, N.C. 28108
1(704)843-3858
E-Mail: preslar12@windstream.net

First Baptist Church

PO Box 388
Mineral Springs, NC 28108