#61. Mountain Memories
Then he went from there to Mount Carmel, and from there he returned to Samaria.
II Kings 2:25 NKJV
Mountains play a prominent role in Scripture. Jesus’s longest sermon took place on a mountain (Matt. 5-7). Often when Jesus went to pray, He did so after going up a mountain (Matt. 14:23). Jesus was transfigured at the top of a mountain (Matt. 17:1). The law was given on Mount Sinai. And one of the greatest public manifestations of the Lord’s glory above the worthlessness of idols took place on Mount Carmel.
After Elisha witnessed the effect of the gospel ministry, an aroma of life for some and an aroma of death for others*, he made his way back to Samaria but not before going to Mount Carmel. These days it is something of a trend to write and teach about the need for vacations and rest. While the Lord does give His people rest at appropriate times, I am not sure Americans need this exhortation quite so frequently when we spend on average five hours per day watching television. Nevertheless, mountains can be a place of great refreshment, even if we are only there briefly. We are not told that Elisha took physical rest at Mount Carmel but only that he went there en route to Samaria.
Mount Carmel was a memorial for Elisha, for it was there that God revealed Himself so gloriously through His servant Elijah with fire from heaven. Perhaps after the departure of his spiritual father and the terrible destruction of the scornful children, the refreshment of being at that mountain of the Lord strengthened Elisha for his further service to the Lord. Mount Carmel was a memorial to the fact that the Lord, He is God. As you once again reflect on the work of the Lord at Mount Carmel, consider other great mountains that you have seen in pictures or in person and consider the words of Psalm 36:6: “Your righteousness is like the great mountains…” The God whose righteousness is beyond our comprehension is our God. Let us abide with Him forever and ever for He will be our guide even unto death (Psalm 48:14).
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* For we are to God the fragrance of Christ among those who are being saved and among those who are perishing. To the one we are the aroma of death leading to death, and to the other the aroma of life leading to life. And who is sufficient for these things? (2 Cor. 2:15-16 NKJV)
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