BibleProject Podcast: "We’ve Been on This Mountain Before"
Release Date: January 27, 2025
Host: Michelle Jones
Description: In this Hyperlink Edition, Michelle Jones wraps up the "Mountain" series by weaving together themes from previous episodes. By revisiting key discussions on apocalypses, the city of God, and the origin of the priesthood, the podcast highlights how the motif of the mountain serves as a pivotal intersection between divine and human realms in the Bible.
Introduction: The Interwoven Nature of Biblical Themes
Michelle Jones opens the episode by introducing the concept of a Hyperlink Edition, where she revisits clips from prior "Mountain" series episodes. She emphasizes that biblical themes, such as mountains, tabernacles, tests, and cities, are intricately connected, creating a "beautiful tapestry" of interconnected narratives.
Michelle Jones [00:05]: "There are many themes in the Bible... it's good to remember that biblical themes are woven together."
She outlines that the mountain symbolizes the overlapping domain of God and humanity, representing heaven on Earth. Ascending the mountain involves facing tests of faith and surrendering to divine wisdom, with Jesus ascending the mountain and inviting others to do the same.
Apocalyptic Literature: Mountains as Sites of Revelation
The first segment revisits the 2020 series on apocalyptic literature, focusing on how mountaintop experiences facilitate profound realizations about the world and oneself.
Tim Mackie [03:03]: "The whole biblical story flows out of this... heaven and earth are one, but through humans."
Apocalypses are described not merely as end-times scenarios but as moments of sudden clarity where the "curtain is pulled back." Mountains serve as vantage points for these revelations, allowing humans to glimpse divine truths.
Key Insights:
- Mountaintop as Heaven on Earth: From Genesis to the prophets, mountains are depicted as places where heaven and earth intersect, enabling direct encounters with the divine.
- Human Image of God: Tim and John discuss how prophetic visions often depict Yahweh in human form, aligning with Irenaeus’s interpretation of Jesus as the ultimate image of God.
John Collins [07:18]: "They are all moments when somebody... gets transported in altered states of consciousness back into Eden."
- Jesus' Role: The discussions highlight Jesus' unique position in fulfilling these prophetic visions, bridging the divine and human realms.
John Collins [09:16]: "And this is Jesus."
The City of God: Cosmic Battles and Divine Judgments
The second clip is drawn from episode nine of the city series, where Tim Mackie and John Collins delve into Isaiah's portrayal of Babylon and the envisioned city of God atop a mountain.
Tim Mackie [12:11]: "Isaiah chapters 13 and 14... oracle of Babylon."
Key Discussions:
- Oracles Against Babylon: Isaiah uses cosmic language to describe the downfall of Babylon, likening it to a great flood and a divine reckoning.
John Collins [16:22]: "So you're saying this isn't merely a poetic way to talk about an invading empire. This is something more."
- Cosmic Poetry: The rhetoric elevates historical events to a cosmic scale, portraying them as part of a divine plan.
Tim Mackie [19:20]: "From the edges of the cosmos... cosmic poetry invests these historical events with cosmic heavenly meaning."
- End of Days: Isaiah envisions a future where the city of Yahweh on the mountain becomes a sanctuary for all nations, contrasting the destined ruin of Babylon.
Tim Mackie [21:27]: "At the end of days, the mountain of the house of Yahweh will become the exalted refuge for all of the nations."
Origin of the Priesthood: Moses, Aaron, and Mount Sinai
The final segment revisits episode three of the Royal Priest series, titled "Doomed to Fail," exploring the complex narrative of Moses and Aaron on Mount Sinai and the inception of the priesthood.
Tim Mackie [23:54]: "Moses objects five times... God answers each of those objections."
Key Themes:
- Moses' Reluctance: Moses hesitates to accept God's commission, leading to Aaron’s introduction as his spokesperson.
John Collins [25:05]: "I will be."
- Origin of the Priesthood: Aaron is designated as the first priest, marking the beginning of a lineage fraught with failures and compromises.
Tim Mackie [28:21]: "This is the origin story of the priesthood."
- Aaron's Failures: From the golden calf incident to the death of his sons, Aaron's tenure illustrates the ongoing struggle between divine ideals and human imperfection.
John Collins [44:14]: "This Story is telling you the institution of Israel's priesthood was a failed project from the beginning."
- Moses' Intercession: Despite Aaron's shortcomings, Moses remains a shining example of a faithful intercessor, symbolizing the enduring connection between humanity and the divine.
John Collins [46:49]: "This is a real high point for Moses."
Conclusion: The Mountain as a Symbol of Divine-Human Intersection
Michelle Jones concludes the Hyperlink Edition by tying together the discussed themes, reiterating the mountain's role as a central symbol where divine intentions and human actions intersect. She encourages listeners to explore further resources for a deeper understanding of the mountain theme in the Bible.
Michelle Jones [48:25]: "That’s it for today's episode... check out our theme video and other resources for deeper study."
Notable Quotes:
- Michelle Jones [00:05]: "Whenever you encounter a theme in the Bible, it is connected to and building off of other themes in a beautiful tapestry."
- Tim Mackie [03:03]: "Heaven and earth are one, but through humans."
- John Collins [07:18]: "They are all moments when somebody... gets transported in altered states of consciousness back into Eden."
- Tim Mackie [19:20]: "From the edges of the cosmos... cosmic poetry invests these historical events with cosmic heavenly meaning."
- Tim Mackie [21:27]: "At the end of days, the mountain of the house of Yahweh will become the exalted refuge for all of the nations."
- John Collins [44:14]: "This Story is telling you the institution of Israel's priesthood was a failed project from the beginning."
Final Thoughts
"We’ve Been on This Mountain Before" serves as a rich, integrative reflection on how the motif of the mountain encapsulates key theological and narrative elements in the Bible. By revisiting pivotal discussions on apocalypses, the city of God, and the priesthood, the episode underscores the mountain’s enduring significance as a site of divine encounter and human response.
For those seeking to delve deeper into these themes, the BibleProject Podcast offers an array of resources, including full series episodes and thematic videos available on bibleproject.com.