It’s true that most people know the rainbow meaning in the Bible. But, instead of being told, sometimes we need to be reminded of what God accomplished with the great flood.
This Biblical disaster from Genesis 9:1-17 begins with a warning to build the ark and ends with a promise.
The reading of Noah and the rainbow covenant gives a lesson of hope and grace. We only have to believe it to receive this gift.
When the great flood was finally over, God made a promise to Noah, and to all of us. Paraphrased, He said that water would never destroy the earth again.
And, He sealed the covenant with an amazing rainbow.
So, the next time we see this beautiful spectrum of colors, let’s think of God, and give thanks.
Noah, The Great Flood and the Rainbow Meaning
Then God spoke to Noah and to his sons with him, saying, “Now behold, I Myself do establish My covenant with you, and with your descendants after you; and with every living creature that is with you, the birds, the cattle, and every beast of the earth with you; of all that comes out of the ark, even every beast of the earth.
I establish My covenant with you; and all flesh shall never again be cut off by the water of the flood, neither shall there again be a flood to destroy the earth.”
God said, “This is the sign of the covenant which I am making between Me and you and every living creature that is with you, for all successive generations; I set My bow in the cloud, and it shall be for a sign of a covenant between Me and the earth.
It shall come about, when I bring a cloud over the earth, that the bow will be seen in the cloud, and I will remember My covenant, which is between Me and you and every living creature of all flesh; and never again shall the water become a flood to destroy all flesh. – Genesis 9:8-15 NASB
Noah and the Rainbow Covenant from God
In the first of these verses God establishes two things.
1. He basically sets up a system and brings order to a new society out of all the chaos following the great flood.
2. And, God reestablishes a law that says we can not do wrong to another person without ultimately answering to Him. Simply put, this means justice will prevail in the end on a personal level.
All Creatures Great and Small
A footnote to the second statement is that God wants us to see others as one of His creations. For example, murder is wrong because killing a human being is destroying one who was made in God’s image.
So, we can only strive to see people as having God’s image within them.
And, we know He offers them eternal life through Jesus Christ just as He does for us.
The Covenant of the Rainbow
After this Biblical disaster of the great flood, God made a covenant (promise) with Noah; sectioned into three parts:
1. God promised that the earth would never again see this kind of total destruction by a flood
2. The second part of God’s covenant is that, as long as the earth exists, the seasons of the year will come on a timely schedule
3. Lastly, the rainbow serves as a reminder of the first two promises God made with Noah — and a reminder to us that God will be faithful and keep His covenant.
Not Forever?
In part number two of this rainbow covenant notice that God said, “as long as the earth remains” which lets us know that the world as we know it will not always be here.
But, the comfort and good news is that GOD will always be here for us.
The meaning of the rainbow is clear.
And remember, we can live with the Heavenly Father for eternity through Christ
— if we only accept His offer in John 3:16.
Love in Christ
– Bob
If you would like to learn more about the love and life-changing experience of Jesus Christ, please take a moment to look at John 3:16 and find more information.
Credit: Rainbow photo of Santee SC by bobpardue.com
I hope this Bible study about the rainbow meaning, the great flood and covenant God made with His people enlightens you (and I) to remember the promise Jesus made to us. He says; “No one can snatch them out of My hand..” in John 10:28.