Mount Hermon
Mount Hermon is the highest mountain in Israel and its snow-capped peaks are visible from the sea of Galilee, almost 100km away. The great mountain is known locally as the Snowy Mountain, or the Grey-Haired Mountain and in biblical times, it was also known as Senir and Mount Sirion.
The mountain range is about 30km in length and 40km wide, and located on the north-eastern boundary of Israel, on the border between Syria and Lebanon. Around 97 different species of butterflies have been identified on Mount Hermon, of which 23 species are unique to the Mount Hermon nature reserve. Together with the butterflies, the mountain also boasts special species of flowers, animals, and birds that do not occur anywhere else in Israel. Visitors to the mountain are able to see panoramic views of three different countries—Israel, Syria, and Lebanon. In addition to the views, butterflies, fauna and flora, the mountain is also home to several ancient ruins.
In biblical times, high mountains were used as places of sacrifice and worship. The ancients believed deities had special power at special places, and several ruins of ancient sanctuaries have been found on the peaks of Hermon, as well as on the slopes, and at the base of the mountain. Jeroboam also built the high places—a worship complex similar to the one in Jerusalem. However, these high places were a perversion of true worship according to Biblical requirements.
Though Mount Hermon is mentioned several times in the Bible, the most prominent mention is found in Psalm 133. In this Psalm, King David compares the wholesomeness of unity among brothers, to the bountiful dew of Hermon falling on Mount Zion. The copious dew of Hermon is the result of the snow-capped peaks. These snow-capped peaks provide the perfect environment for the abundant dew that saturates the ground on the slopes of the mountain. This dew dissolves the minerals found in the soil and makes them available as fertilizer for the plants, resulting in lush and fruitful growth.
Mount Zion is nowhere near the height of Hermon and does not have the benefit of the snow-capped peaks to create the correct environment for the drenching dew similar to Hermon. But David dreams of what it would be like if it was possible—imagine the fruitfulness, the lushness, the sweetness, the life! And then he thinks of the delight of unity amongst brothers—how that too, brings life, sweetness, health, fruitfulness. The dew of Hermon, is the result of evaporation from the snow-capped peaks, condensing onto the ground in the form of dew. Dew is symbolic of God’s blessing, like the blessing of the oil poured onto Aaron’s head, running down his beard and onto his robes. Indeed, God’s blessing remains upon Israel, as He draws His people back to the land of His promise. And as He does so, He is also bringing about a deeper unity of brethren, descended from brothers of long ago.
Many Jewish and Arab believers in Jesus (Yeshua) seek reconciliation based on Ephesians 2:14: "For He himself is our peace, who has made the two groups one and has destroyed the barrier, the dividing wall of hostility". This breakthrough began largely through Jewish and Arab pastors studying together at the Israel College of the Bible.
Some pastors from these two backgrounds meet to pray and work together. Messianic congregations and Arab churches also deliver food parcels to new Jewish immigrants and to Arab families in need. One Arab pastor said: “We need them to see how a Jew and an Arab can stand together in love and forgiveness...”
This is a foreshadow of the fulfillment of Isaiah 19:23-24, “In that day there will be a highway from Egypt to Assyria ... Israel will be one of three with Egypt and Assyria—a blessing in the midst of the land, whom the Lord of Hosts shall bless, saying, ’Blessed is Egypt My people, and Assyria the work of My hands, and Israel My inheritance.’”
