Mount Tabor, a dichotomy

 

1. Mount Tabor the site of Idolatry, Defeat.

9.3 miles west of the Sea of Galilee Lies Mount Tabor, a dome of a mountain if you have never seen it, really though it looks like a giant dome 1880 feet in the air. It’s Not very high for a mountain at all, in fact the mount of olives is 2710 feet high, making it the second highest in Israel, Just for a comparison the Rocky mountains lowest peak is the Dallas peak at 13,800 feet high, over 5 times the height of those in Israel.  

Mount Tabor is in the Jezreel valley, a very prominent place in the History of Israel. Why the study on Mount Tabor? I saw some information the other day doing some research. and it lead me to some serious dichotomy. The two things we are going to look at are completely opposite yet they took place in the exact same area.

The first thing that happened here (there are so many but 2 major events) that we are going to discuss is the sin of Jeroboam. What was that sin? Idolatry. Jeroboam set up 2 golden calves the first here at Bethel, the other at Dan. Jeroboam’s sin was in Israel for hundreds of years, in fact because of this sin Jeroboam and his line were completely wiped off the face of the earth.

1Ki_13:34  And this thing became sin unto the house of Jeroboam, even to cut it off, and to destroy it from off the face of the earth.

Jeroboam set up these golden calves to keep the people from going to the temple, to keep them from God for he was insecure about his throne, his power even though God Himself set Him up and told him so.

It is amazing that so much wickedness can take place so close to Jerusalem. The people of Israel, what did they say to Jeroboam, who made it so easy for them to not go to Temple? They said thank you and stayed away from God’s House. Jeroboam led the people away from God.

Ok Let’s fast forward 968 years or so.

2. Mt Tabor the site of the Transfiguration, Victory.

Mat 17:1  And after six days Jesus taketh Peter, James, and John his brother, and bringeth them up into an high mountain apart, 

Mat 17:2  And was transfigured before them: and his face did shine as the sun, and his raiment was white as the light. 

Mat 17:3  And, behold, there appeared unto them Moses and Elias talking with him. 

Mat 17:4  Then answered Peter, and said unto Jesus, Lord, it is good for us to be here: if thou wilt, let us make here three tabernacles; one for thee, and one for Moses, and one for Elias. 

Mat 17:5  While he yet spake, behold, a bright cloud overshadowed them: and behold a voice out of the cloud, which said, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased; hear ye him. 

Mat 17:6  And when the disciples heard it, they fell on their face, and were sore afraid. 

The Transfiguration. God recognized His son yet again in front of witnesses Peter, James and John. Moses and Elias came down and talked with Jesus at the Transfiguration. Jesus is confirmed by God and yet the disciples still are not aware of who He is.

However for today’s purpose I want to go another direction.

One location to very different events.

Have you ever messed up so bad and you know you can never go back there? Well this belies that.

A spot or location of one of the biggest sins in the history of a nation, yet then God reveals Himself in that same area, sends down a Heavenly group to confer with, a church built to and named after that event still stands there.

Can we be any different? So many people refuse to go back to church after going astray for fear they might spontaneously combust if they crossed a church threshold. So many refuse to return to the God who loved them, settle for a water down version that placates their conscience but fails to convict their heart.

I have heard, and at one point even used, this same reason, excuse, justification whatever you want to call it.

If a Mount can be so given such redemption that it is remembered more for one event than the other, A geographical spot, can you truly believe that you can not find such redemption? Such reconciliation? Don’t let a middle chapter determine the end chapter in your life.

Mount Tabor is remembered for the Transfiguration, not the spot of idolatry and leading God’s chosen astray.

You too can be remembered for your victory rather than going astray.

Jesus Loves you, died for you, that you too might have the victory.