Psalm 68:15-16

Psalm 68:15-16

Mount Bashan

So, here we go, up to the Golan Heights and beyond. Up to the north-eastern corner of Israel and into territory that is part of Syria today. A place of rugged mountains indeed and an area that has, throughout history, been at enmity with Israel. Many pagan gods and practices emanated from these northern strongholds and so the Mountain of Bashan symbolises idol worship and sacrifices to Baal and Molech and other Canaanite gods. I suspect that the kings of these lands, and their pagan priests, cared little for Israel’s God. In their pride they pursued their pointless practices and worshipped their pointless deities. However, these false religions were the brainchild of an evil mastermind who, it seems, was envious of the mountain where God chose to reign. In David’s mind the vast, towering peaks of the north were nothing compared to the gentle hills of Zion and Moriah where the Lord God reigned supreme. The vast mountain range of Hermon envied the power that reigned from Zion. Height and elevation are nothing compared to the power and status of the One who reigns. God does not need to occupy high mountains, He already reigns over all, His power is not measured in metres above sea level! 

We are invited to ignore the power-seeking religions of the world and the allure of Satan’s fantasies. Instead, we come to a heavenly Mount Zion, where true power exists and where the one righteous God reigns. His reign is eternal. I repeat, He will reign forever. All those other objects of worship will come to nothing and those who follow them will discover their deception. Hallelujah, for the Lord our God, the Almighty reigns. 

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