God's Promise in the Rainbow
Genesis 9.8-17
This is the first covenant. A covenant is a promise between two parties with a sign or symbol to seal it and to serve a reminder.
The first covenant had as its sign, the rainbow. We see it in the final book of the Bible. In
Revelation 4.3 we are told, "A rainbow, resembling an emerald, encircled the throne," of God. Ezekiel also saw this. Ezekiel 1.28 "Like the appearance of a rainbow in the clouds on a rainy day. so was the radiance around Him." The glory around God is like a rainbow.
There are things in this first covenant and its sign which encompasses all of God's Promises.
1. THE PROMISES OF GOD ARE FULL OF COLOR. v.13
They are exciting. When a rainbow appears, people stop to look at it. Many take pictures.
The promises of God are vibrant. They thrill the soul and dazzle the imagination.
As the rainbow is colorful so God's Promises, like the diamond, are mulifaceted.
Let me illustrate. Jesus made a promise in Matthew 28.20 "I am with you always."
Just take the phrase "I am" This is how God revealed Himself to Moses in the desert.
John 6.35 I am the Bread of Life. He feeds us.
John 8.12 I am the Light of the world. He shows us the way. Darkness may come but He shines!
John 10.11 I am the Good Shepherd. He cares for us to the point of laying down His life.
John 11.25 I am the Resurrection and the Life. He is with us in life and has overcome death.
John 14.6 I am the Way, the Truth and the Life. He is the answer.
God set the rainbow in the sky. It is His rainbow. It is His promise.
The LORD adds color, living color to our lives. The soul without the LORD is lost, weighed down and dull. The soul who trusts in the LORD has His Spirit within and radiates with the brillance of His rainbow.
2. THE PROMISES OF GOD ARE FROM ABOVE. v.14-15
It is significant that this first covenant had as it sign something in the sky, in the clouds. This shows us that all the covenants and promises are from above. This is why we don't need to swear- God's throne is in heaven and earth is His footstool. He is listening and present always.
Let's take the marriage covenant. I am not sure how many weddings I have officiated at now- many. In the wedding ceremony are the words, "There for what God has joined together, let not man put asunder." What God has joined... marriage covenants are from above as with all.
We pray as taught by Jesus, "Our Father in Heaven" Matthew 6.9
Heaven is the place of His residence/ The position of His Authority
James 1.17 Every good nad perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, Who does not change like shifting shadows.
God placed the sign of this first covenant in the sky. If you look down from heaven on a rainbow it is a ring... the sign and symbol of marriage, unbroken.
3. THE PROMISES OF GOD ARE FANTASTIC! v. 16
Everlasting covenant- I will see it.
When the rainbow appears in the sky and we are looking at it, we and the LORD God are looking at the same thing. One time, when I was standing on the Sea of Galilee, a person commented, "Just think perhaps Jesus stood and looked out at what you are now looking out at! "Thrilling Possibility!"
But we are plainly told that while we are ooing and ahing, the LORD is remembering His covenant. This is usually what happens with all His Promises. Why? Because...
The LORD is faithful to all His Promises and loving to all He has made. Psalm 145.3
God's promises come to us in times of difficulty- rainbows come as the sun shines through the rain!
It is from Him to us.
His promises are fantastic.
They are from above and full of color.
Now to Him Who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to His power that is at work within us, to Him be glory in the church
and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations Amen! Ephesians 3.20-21
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