(All following photos by Neil Culllan McKinlay)
Since this is my maiden blog I thought I might mention a few things just in case anyone is viewing my blog from some galaxy far away. The "ben" to which I refer is Ben Lomond (in Scotland, not Canada or Tasmania!)
I grew up in a place where there was a view of Ben Lomond at every turn. Just yesterday (Sat. May 30) I was talking on the phone from Australia to my sister-in-law who said that she and her husband were heading off to go up Ben Lomond and back down again that very day (all in the space of five hours apparently!) Ah, the ben, the ben, my ben!
With all that in mind, I thought this being Sunday, the Lord's Day, that I should Blog about something Biblical!
Mountains figure prominantly in the Bible. It would seem that the Garden of Eden was set on some mountain (see eg, Ezek. 28:12-16). The LORD God gave mankind His Law (ie, His Ten Commandments in positive form) by stamping it on our hearts at our creation (see eg, Rom. 2:14-15). The LORD God took the man He had formed up the mountain and placed him in His Garden to tend and keep or guard it (see eg, Gen. 2:8,15). Thus the man went up the mountain. And the Lord God formed Eve from one of Adam's ribs and taught them, given them (and us) the "Cultural Mandate" (see eg, Gen. 1:26-28; 9:1-7). Adam and Eve rebelled against the LORD God. Hence the LORD God expelling Adam, Eve, (and Satan) from the Garden. Thus the husband and his bride went down the mountain.
The LORD God called Moses to come up the mountain, Mount Sinai, where Moses met with the LORD God who reissued His Law by restating it, giving Moses copies of His Ten Commandments written on two tablets of stone which the LORD God had already taught the people who were gathered at the mountain (see eg, Exo, chps. 19 & 20; Heb. 12:18-21). Moses came down the mountain to present God's written Law (ie, the Ten Commandments) to the people who were in view of the mountain. Moses was up and down that mountain a few times!
The LORD God, ie, Jehovah-Jesus, (the Word who became flesh see eg, John 1:1-4;14) took multitudes up a mountain and taught them from His Law while correcting many abberations and misapplications the scribes and Pharisees had been making to God's Law over the years (see eg, Matt. 5:1-7:29). The multitudes came down from the mountain (Matt. 8:1).
Solomon built the Temple of God on Mount Moriah in Jerusalem where beforehand the LORD God had tested Abraham (by commanding him to sacrifice his son Isaac), and where later David had build an altar to God (see eg, Gen. 22:2; 1 Chron. 2 Chron. 3:1). This i
s also Mount Zion (see eg, Psa. 2:6; Heb. 12:22; Rev. 14:1).
Satan, the Devil, took Jesus up a mountain as he tried to tempt Him (Luke 4:5). Jesus, as the last Adam, went up mountains to pray (see eg, 1 Cor. 15:45 with Matt. 14:23; 15:29; Mark 3:13; 6:46 etc.). He was accostomed to go up the Mount of Olives where He took His disciples with Him to pray (see eg, Luke 22:39-46). He was arrested on that Mount (see eg, Luke 22:47). After His subsequent crucifixion and resurrection, He ascended into heaven from the Mount of Olives (see eg, Matt. 28:16; Acts 1:12).
From a high mountain the Apostle John saw the last Adam's, the Lamb's bride, Jesus' wife, coming down from heaven (see eg, Rev. 21:9-11).
So, as we have seen from the few examples I have provided that mountains really do indeed figure prominatly in the Bible! And I am indebted to my sister-in-law for creating the picture in my mind of her and her husband walking up and down Ben Lomond! I miss my ben!
However, let me finish off this wee Blog-piece with perhaps some of my most favourite verses of Scripture which speak of Jesus Christ and His everlasting Kingdom which is gradually coming into being as His Kingdom expands throughout the planet earth and beyond:
"Now it shall come to pass in the latter days that the mountain of the LORD's house shall be established on the top of the mountains, and shall be exalted above the hills; and all nations shall flow to it. Many people shall come and say, 'Come, and let us go up to the mountain of the LORD, to the house of the God of Jacob; He will teach us His ways, and we shall walk in His paths.' For out of Zion shall go forth the law, and the word of the LORD from Jerusalem. He shall judge between nations, and rebuke many people; they shall beat their swords into ploughshares, and their spears into pruning hooks; nation shall not lift up sword against nation, neither shall they learn war any more." Isaiah 2:2-4.
The LORD God called Moses to come up the mountain, Mount Sinai, where Moses met with the LORD God who reissued His Law by restating it, giving Moses copies of His Ten Commandments written on two tablets of stone which the LORD God had already taught the people who were gathered at the mountain (see eg, Exo, chps. 19 & 20; Heb. 12:18-21). Moses came down the mountain to present God's written Law (ie, the Ten Commandments) to the people who were in view of the mountain. Moses was up and down that mountain a few times!
The LORD God, ie, Jehovah-Jesus, (the Word who became flesh see eg, John 1:1-4;14) took multitudes up a mountain and taught them from His Law while correcting many abberations and misapplications the scribes and Pharisees had been making to God's Law over the years (see eg, Matt. 5:1-7:29). The multitudes came down from the mountain (Matt. 8:1).
Solomon built the Temple of God on Mount Moriah in Jerusalem where beforehand the LORD God had tested Abraham (by commanding him to sacrifice his son Isaac), and where later David had build an altar to God (see eg, Gen. 22:2; 1 Chron. 2 Chron. 3:1). This i
s also Mount Zion (see eg, Psa. 2:6; Heb. 12:22; Rev. 14:1).Satan, the Devil, took Jesus up a mountain as he tried to tempt Him (Luke 4:5). Jesus, as the last Adam, went up mountains to pray (see eg, 1 Cor. 15:45 with Matt. 14:23; 15:29; Mark 3:13; 6:46 etc.). He was accostomed to go up the Mount of Olives where He took His disciples with Him to pray (see eg, Luke 22:39-46). He was arrested on that Mount (see eg, Luke 22:47). After His subsequent crucifixion and resurrection, He ascended into heaven from the Mount of Olives (see eg, Matt. 28:16; Acts 1:12).
From a high mountain the Apostle John saw the last Adam's, the Lamb's bride, Jesus' wife, coming down from heaven (see eg, Rev. 21:9-11).
So, as we have seen from the few examples I have provided that mountains really do indeed figure prominatly in the Bible! And I am indebted to my sister-in-law for creating the picture in my mind of her and her husband walking up and down Ben Lomond! I miss my ben!
However, let me finish off this wee Blog-piece with perhaps some of my most favourite verses of Scripture which speak of Jesus Christ and His everlasting Kingdom which is gradually coming into being as His Kingdom expands throughout the planet earth and beyond:
"Now it shall come to pass in the latter days that the mountain of the LORD's house shall be established on the top of the mountains, and shall be exalted above the hills; and all nations shall flow to it. Many people shall come and say, 'Come, and let us go up to the mountain of the LORD, to the house of the God of Jacob; He will teach us His ways, and we shall walk in His paths.' For out of Zion shall go forth the law, and the word of the LORD from Jerusalem. He shall judge between nations, and rebuke many people; they shall beat their swords into ploughshares, and their spears into pruning hooks; nation shall not lift up sword against nation, neither shall they learn war any more." Isaiah 2:2-4.
Just for a moment I thought that I was looking down onto Hobart from the top of Mt.Wellington in the second photograph, even after having read your opening to the blog.
ReplyDeleteThose favourite verses in conclusion are also found in that wonderful hymn, Behold! the mountain of the Lord in latter days shall rise On mountain tops above the hills, and draw the wondering eyes. Scottish Paraphrases 1781
Meall do naidheachd, a bhràthair! Tha mi cho toilichte am blog ùr agad fhaicinn! Tha feum mòr sna làithean seo air gaisgich Càilbhineach a bhios deònach an fhòid a sheasamh air loidhne. Oir tha an comann-sòisealta iar-mhòdranach sa bheil sinn a-nis beò a' sìor chall a shlighe ann an cuan de shuibseigeachd gun ghrunnd.
ReplyDeleteWith the launch of your blog I am reminded of Denny's shipyard where dad first worked. There by becastled Dumbarton Rock, that minor-key counterpoint "mountain" echoing majestic Ben Lomond on the other side of the Vale. Denny's where the Cutty Sark was built. I visualize the naming of a vessel. The slipway into the Clyde of our forefathers. The fitting out. The maiden voyage to test seaworthiness. Then the open oceans of the planet beckoning - vast, unfathomable, challenging, exhilarating. The Firth widening before you as a melee of gulls above shout a cacophonous "Bon Voyage"!
Hi Tim,
ReplyDeleteYes, you are indeed correct! You have spotted Mount Wellington, Hobart in a couple of those photos taken by my own hand while I was up there taking in the cool breeze and the cool scenes.
Did you notice the wee robin red-breast who landed on top of that rock just in time for me to snap him? I couldn't believe the brilliant timing!
Hi Fergie,
ReplyDeleteYou make blogging sound so exciting! Here's me sailing "doon the watter" salty breeze in my hair, hand-feeding bread to seagulls gliding above the wash.
The last sea-going paddle-steamer the "Waverley" springs to mind. As a kid I used to deliver urns full of milk to it when it was moored at Craigendoran Pier.
Also, thanks for the copy of your painting of the ben with snow on it. I've tried to incorporate it into my Blog page's title.