I do set my bow in the cloud, and it shall be for a token of a covenant between me and the earth. Genesis 9:13
What do you do when you see a rainbow? Do you show it to others? Do you take a picture? Do you ask if anyone else saw the rainbow? Sounds like rainbows can be pretty exciting. They also create a sense of peace and calm. Why?
Once when I was up on the Blue Ridge Parkway, I was above a storm cloud. I could look down through the cloud and see a complete rainbow, a circle. That's a once-in-a-lifetime event for me, but God says He looks on the bow and remembers the covenant between Him and every living creature.
So what is that covenant? It's a promise not to destroy the earth again by water but I think there's more to it than that. I did some research and found some interesting thoughts,
Grace - The rainbow is seen again in the book of Ezekiel chapter 1:26-28. Jesus is at the center or clothed in the rainbow. He is our sacrifice so we can be given grace.
Mercy - There is a covenant of mercy that we will not be destroyed. Think of how the rainbow is formed. The seven colors are always topped by the red bow. It is pointed upward so if an arrow were shot by this bow it would go upward showing us mercy and covering us by the sacrificial blood of Christ.
Mediator - We need Jesus to be our mediator between us and the Father. He is between us and the Father and we can only come to the Father through Him. In Revelation 4: 3 there is a rainbow around the throne. We can't get to God except by the One (Jesus Christ) who sits on the throne.
Trinity - Think of how the rainbow is formed. It's after a storm. The light of the sun shines through the water and creates the separation of colors, a glimpse of heaven. The Father (sun), Jesus the Light of the world (sunshine), and the Holy Spirit (water) work together to show us the plan of salvation.
Rainbows are used in lots of ways in our culture. Wherever we see them they are a great opportunity to open up a conversation about God's love, grace, and mercy. It is God's love, God's grace, and God's mercy, God's goodness that leads us to repentance. May we always remember to temper our conversations with love and kindness even when we may disagree with the use of the rainbows we find.
Blessings,
Gail
2 comments:
This is amazing information, Gail. I had never thought this all the way through. Blessings to you!
Thank you, Cathy. Our new S.O.A.P. Bible Study is allowing the Holy Spirit to open our hearts to a lot of things we would never have thought about studying by ourselves.
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