Set On A Hill

Bible Study Devotional

In Matthew 5:14, Jesus says to us that we are the light of the world, and that “A city that is set on a hill cannot be hidden.” When God’s light is shining within us, people can’t help but to see us! Let’s dive into the theme of being set on a hill…God’s hill.

Mentioned in the Bible numerous times, a hill is a place of high elevation. Here, the hill allows whoever is standing on it to not only see everywhere, but allows others to see the person standing on it. In the Old Testament, hills were used to bring worship and sacrifices to God, as well as other “gods” when the children of Israel strayed (2 Chronicles 28:4). A hill is also synonymous with the concept of ‘having it all’, or ‘being at the top’. For comparison, the valley (also mentioned in the Bible), is a low place, a plain, where you can’t see much but are seen by the one who is on the hill. Psalm 23 mentions the “valley of the shadow of death”. This valley is considered a place where weaker people reside, who may not be able to climb to get to the hill. However, God is the God of hills and valleys, so wherever you are, it is a good idea to praise Him (1 Kings 20:28)!

Now this idea of ‘hills versus valleys’ together often represents the humble versus the proud. In 1 Samuel 2:4-10, Hannah proclaims that God will bring down the mighty men, those that are proud, full, and wicked. At the same time, He will bring up those that stumble, hunger, and are anointed. We see this theme repeated constantly in the Bible (Psalms 37:34, Isaiah 40:29, and Daniel 2:21). When the humble rely on God, they are eventually brought up and blessed beyond measure (1 Peter 5:6). Meanwhile, the wicked who refuse God will suffer, even if they thought they had everything (Psalm 37:10).

The hill is also the place where Jesus was crucified and died (Matthew 27:33). On top of Calvary, where everyone could see Him, but also where He could see everyone as well. Jesus’ death on the hill meant that He was uplifted by God as the ultimate sacrifice (Hebrews 12:2). He was both uplifted and brought down when He died. By bringing down Jesus, God uplifts every righteous and humble person, while the wicked ones go down to the valley themselves. And the best news? Jesus didn’t stay down! He lives on now, as the intercessor, the one who allows us to appeal to God for mercy. Without Jesus, we are lost. Without Jesus, we are carried away. We are able to stand in the presence of God because of Jesus’ sacrifice (Hebrews 4:16). We need Jesus as our hill, or a foundation, to stand on, and to keep us uplifted and righteous before God (1 Corinthians 3:11; 2 Corinthians 5:21).

When we are on a hill, we cannot be hidden. We are shown off, seen, and observed by all because God allows us to be. God is faithful to uplift the humble who seek Him first. God used Jesus as our firm foundation, a hill where we can stand.

And the hill where Jesus died is the same hill where God uplifts us.

-Sherry Amor