“I have set my rainbow in the clouds, and it will be the sign of the everlasting covenant between me and the earth. 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. Never again will the waters become a flood to destroy all life. Whenever the rainbow appears in the clouds, I will see it and remember the everlasting covenant between God and all living creatures of every kind on the earth” (Gen. 9:13-16).
While downtown this week, I noticed a crosswalk that had rainbow colored lines rather than the typical white lines. It was beautiful and it was fun, and it reminded me of the covenant God made with Noah. But then my friend pointed out to me small white, pink, blue, brown, and black lines at the end of the crosswalk, signifying that it was a LGBTQ+ symbol. I was saddened, and reminded that a once beautiful symbol of God’s covenantal love to us now is universally recognized as a symbol for a way of life that is both contradictory to God’s design (Rom. 1:26-27) and is simply wrong (1 Cor. 6:9-10).
In God’s Word, the rainbow serves as a reminder to God of his unilateral, eternal promise to mankind. A promise saying that he will never send a global flood ever again. And the coolest part is that this promise does not depend on our faithfulness. There is nobody that needs to keep the other side of the agreement. God’s name is the only name signed on this covenant.
This Noahic covenant is similar to another covenant that came later, but is far more wonderful: the New Covenant. The New Covenant is God’s promise to forgive sin and restore communion with those whose hearts believe in His Son, Jesus Christ. Like the Noahic covenant, this promise is fully on God to fulfill, and requires no perfection or faithfulness from humankind, other than that we repent and believe.
So next time you see a rainbow, be reminded of God’s great love for you. Rejoice and give thanks, praising him that he would make a covenant to protect and forgive you, and you need not do anything to maintain your side of the deal. What great love.
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