The Rainbow

Genesis 9:13: “I set My rainbow in the cloud, and it shall be for the sign of the covenant between Me and the earth.”

Today’s reading of Oswald Chambers includes the importance of right standing with God, which begins with participation with God in His covenant. Further, right standing with God continues as we let God carry out His covenant on His terms, in His timing. Chambers is careful to dissect out idolatrous thoughts in that we tend to wait on God to do something that we may say we have trusted God in that thing. We are wrong to suppose we are in right standing placing our trust in His action when His person, God Himself is the center of our right standing.

I was made to notice that God set the sign of His act and being in the vessel used to carry out punishment; in other words, placed within the clouds that consist of water through which the world was destroyed because of man’s sin, God placed a visible statement of His promise never to flood the earth with water again. His stamp says “what happened between Me and the earth will never happen again.” We can see this clearly in the cross: the vessel of punishment brought judgment, destruction and death; furthermore, the vessel of punishment bears a seal of promise, of restoration and life!

Matthew Henry seems to imply a question: has a rainbow ever been seen before this time? It is plausible being a natural phenomenon, but meaning is implanted by the judging/saving/covenant-giver. “The seal of this covenant of nature was natural enough; it was the rainbow, which, it is likely, was seen in the clouds before, when second causes concurred, but was never a seal of the covenant till now that it was made so by a divine institution.”[1] Consider, the seal serves as a perpetual reminder of covenant to appear when considerable wetness accumulates. The thicker the cloud, the brighter the seal appears in the clear part of the sky.

A few weeks ago we were driving to speak at an early-morning engagement. The sun was not yet up when we left and as we continued on our Westward journey, the dawn bloomed in the East, behind us. The darkness fled before us as we drove, and began to touch the clouds. We could see the horizon reflected on the clouds before us. Suddenly before us in the western sky, a rainbow seemed to waken with the dawn slight hints of color, but it was clearly visible. As the sun climbed higher behind us, the horizon’s shadow lowered on the clouds. When the light of the bridegroom flooded from his chamber and spilled over the rainbow, it lit up like a neon sign.

Henry, does the Eternal Mind need a memorandum? It’s laughable! The memo is for us!

Here’s another thought: when will the seal of the covenant not be seen? When there is no threat? While one is inclined to say so, why does Revelation 4:3 show a rainbow AROUND the throne of God? Ever see a whole rainbow? What about the angel with a rainbow AROUND his head (Rev. 10:1)?

And consider what causes a rainbow to be seen: water . . . and light. As of a fire . . .?

There will never be a time when man can do things his way. Well, he certainly could try, but his way will only bring judgment. There will always be a time when God will accomplish His own way, for His own glory. God who sits on the throne has promised never to destroy the earth with water, but a fiery day is coming for those who have not participated in His covenant! God provided a way out for Noah and his family. The rainbow reminds us of that horrible year. But God provided a way out for you and your family. The cross reminds us of that horrible hour.

How will you look on the rainbow?


[1]Matthew Henry, Matthew Henry's Commentary on the Whole Bible : Complete and Unabridged in One Volume (Peabody: Hendrickson, 1996, c1991), Ge 9:12.