In our home, when it’s been raining or stormy and the sun peeps out from among the clouds, someone will always be on the lookout for a rainbow. Perhaps our British roots lead to this preoccupation. There has to be some consolation for all the rain the British Isles receive!
“There’s a rainbow,” he or she shouts and we rush to the window or outside the house to get a glimpse or snap a photo. The brightness of the colors against dark clouds are magnificent. The intrigue of where it touches the earth, prompts a remark about some lucky person finding a pot of gold. Although, according to Irish legend, leprechauns buried pots of gold at the end of rainbows because they couldn’t be found.
Yet, a rainbow is so much more than an illusion or the promise of something that can’t be found.
And God said, “This is the sign of the covenant I am making between me and you and every living creature with you, a covenant for all generations to come: I have set my rainbow in the clouds, and it will be the sign of the covenant between me and the earth (Genesis 9:12-13).
God spoke these words to Noah, his family and every living creature. But they are also spoken to us—we are “all generations.” Don’t skip over the Bible passage above. Let God’s words sink in and encourage you.
Here’s what I’ve learned that is an encouragement to me.
Covenant is not a term we use, but covenants were made on many different occasions in ancient times. They are like agreements or contracts that are common today. Covenants and agreements are between two parties or individuals. I’m sure you are part of one or maybe more. They sign, and then you sign, and all agree to keep the conditions which are intended to be enforced by law.
The covenant in Genesis 9 is different. God is the one who put it in place and agreed to keep it. It is like he signed on both lines for both parties. To me, that seems very generous. God has agreed with himself to never destroy the earth again, no matter how corrupt, through a flood (Genesis 6:12-13.).
It draws to our attention that God takes wickedness and evil very seriously but also that he is very gracious, too.
I’m sure like me, even though we are far from perfect, you too cannot stand corruption and violence. We find it abhorrent and disgusting. But, God is perfect and so corruption and violence are even more detestable to him.
I’m sure like me you have also prayed for God to do something to stop the evil in our world. During Noah’s time, God did just that. But, in the covenant he made, God agreed he would not destroy humanity or living creatures again through a flood.
The rainbow is a sign of God’s graciousness.
Every time we see a rainbow we are witnesses to God’s kindness, mercy, and grace. We are witnesses to God’s love touching earth.
A magnificent rainbow is a reminder to us of God’s goodness. Every single person and animal—a note for lovers of dogs, cats, pandas, and other creatures—enjoys God’s grace and mercy right now on earth, whether they are righteous like Noah, or violent and corrupt.
Yet, more importantly, and perhaps each of us should recognize, the rainbow is also a reminder to God—
Whenever I bring clouds over the earth and the rainbow appears in the clouds, I will remember my covenant between me and you and all living creatures of every kind (v14-15).
God calls it his bow. Did you know that a rainbow surrounds God’s throne?
And the one who sat there had the appearance of jasper and ruby. A rainbow that shone like an emerald encircled the throne (Revelation 4:3).
When you see a rainbow, rush out and enjoy all that it means and know that a ray of heaven is touching earth. So much better than a pot of gold.
Pray
