Climbing Mount Sinai: A Journey Through History, Faith, and Perseverance

 

In November 2025, Elizabeth and I had the incredible opportunity to take my mother to the Holy Land. Together, we walked where Jesus walked, visited places we had read about our entire lives, and experienced firsthand the history and faith that have shaped generations of believers.

After tracing the footsteps of Jesus throughout Israel, we loaded into a van and began a journey south toward Egypt. Our route took us along the western shore of the Dead Sea, passing the imposing fortress of Masada, where Jewish rebels made their final stand against the Roman Empire nearly 2,000 years ago.

As the sun bore down on the hot desert floor, we arrived at the border crossing of Taba. Crossing into Egypt was no simple matter. We passed through five separate checkpoints before finally entering the Sinai Peninsula. From there, we traveled along the Nuweiba-Taba Road, following the coastline of the Red Sea as darkness settled over the desert landscape.

Our destination was Saint Catherine, a small settlement nestled at the base of Mount Sinai.

There stands Saint Catherine’s Monastery, one of the oldest continuously operating Christian monasteries in the world. Built in the sixth century by Emperor Justinian I, the monastery is revered by Christians, Jews, and Muslims alike. It is traditionally believed to be located near the site of the Burning Bush, where God spoke to Moses and commissioned him to lead the Israelites out of Egypt.

The monastery also sits at the foot of Mount Sinai, the mountain where many believe Moses received the Ten Commandments from God.

We arrived in the afternoon, but there would be little rest.

Our plan was to rise at 2:00 a.m. and begin the climb to the summit of Mount Sinai in time to witness sunrise.

When the alarm sounded, we stepped into the cool desert darkness and began our ascent. For the first several miles, camels would carry us part of the way up the mountain. Sitting atop those sure-footed animals, we slowly climbed higher and higher along narrow mountain paths.

Had I known just how close those camels were walking to some of the thousand-foot drop-offs beside the trail, I probably would have been much more nervous.

Eventually, we reached a rendezvous point where locals offered bottled water, coffee, and blankets to weary climbers. The air was noticeably thinner than it had been earlier that day at sea level along the Red Sea. My lungs felt the difference immediately.

Our guide was a Bedouin who had spent his life in the Sinai Peninsula. Like generations before him, he knew every turn, every rock, and every step of the mountain. He led us steadily upward through the darkness.

As we neared the summit, the climb became increasingly difficult. The final section consisted of steep stone steps ascending the last several hundred vertical feet. The altitude, exhaustion, and relentless incline had taken their toll.

At one point, my guide extended his arm to help me continue. Pride quickly gave way to practicality, and I gratefully accepted his assistance. Elizabeth showed how great in shape she was as she trekked ahead of us.

Together, we pushed onward.

Shortly before 6:00 a.m., we reached the summit.

And then it happened.

As darkness gave way to dawn, the first rays of sunlight broke across the horizon. The jagged mountain peaks of the Sinai Peninsula stretched endlessly in every direction. Shades of gold, orange, and crimson painted the rugged landscape below.

It was one of the most breathtaking sunrises I have ever witnessed.

Standing atop Mount Sinai, it was impossible not to reflect on the mountain’s significance.

For thousands of years, this mountain has been associated with one of the most important moments in biblical history. According to the Book of Exodus, Moses ascended this mountain and met with God. Here, he received the Ten Commandments—laws that would shape not only the nation of Israel but much of Western civilization itself.

Whether one views Mount Sinai through the lens of faith, history, or both, its influence is undeniable. The concepts of justice, morality, accountability, and covenant that emerged from this mountain continue to impact societies around the world today.

As I stood there watching the sunrise, I thought about Moses making the same climb thousands of years earlier. I thought about the Israelites camped below. I thought about God’s faithfulness through generations.

Most of all, I thought about how blessed I was to share this experience with Elizabeth.

The climb was difficult. My lungs burned. My legs ached. More than once, I wondered how much farther remained.

But standing on that summit, watching the sun rise over one of the most historically and spiritually significant places on earth, every step was worth it.

We reunited with my mother at the basecamp Monastery. 

Some journeys change your location.

Others change your perspective.

Mount Sinai did both.