We see the promised covenant and the rainbow as Noah enters the renewed world. God had promised to make a covenant with Noah when He warned of the coming flood. Genesis 6:17 Look! I am about to cover the earth with a flood that will destroy every living thing that breathes. Everything on earth will die. 18 But I will confirm my covenant with you.[1] God did not elaborate more on this covenant until after Noah had exited the ark and made a sacrifice.
Genesis 9: 8 Then God told Noah and his sons, 9 “I hereby confirm my covenant with you and your descendants, 10 and with all the animals that were on the boat with you—the birds, the livestock, and all the wild animals—every living creature on earth… 12 Then God said, “I am giving you a sign of my covenant with you and with all living creatures, for all generations to come. 13 I have placed my rainbow in the clouds. It is the sign of my covenant with you and with all the earth… Never again will the floodwaters destroy all life. 16 When I see the rainbow in the clouds, I will remember the eternal covenant between God and every living creature on earth.”[2]
What is a Covenant?
A covenant is an arrangement between two parties involving mutual obligations. Thus, a covenant relationship is not merely a mutual acquaintance but a commitment to responsibility and action. Noah was probably familiar with covenants with other people. God initiated this covenant, and it was universal not only to humanity but also to animals. A key word in Scripture to describe that commitment is “faithfulness,” acted out in a context of abiding friendship.[3]
God’s covenant with Noah is the first explicit mention of covenant in Scripture. Even though humanity had been unfaithful, God desired to maintain a relationship with His creation. God promised His faithfulness to maintain the world and not allow a flood to destroy it again. To show He means it, God gave the sign of a rainbow. Every time God or anyone saw the rainbow, it would remind them of God’s mercy and faithfulness.
Why the Rainbow?
God had destroyed the world because of the corruption of sin. Now, His wrath had been satisfied and was beginning anew with Noah and family. “The normal Hebrew word for “war bow” is used here for rainbow. Jewish tradition interpreted this as a symbol that God’s anger had ceased since the rainbow pointed downward, just as an antagonist lowers his bow to declare peace.”[4]
Scripture also describes a rainbow in the heavenly throne room. Ezekiel observed this in a vision. Ezekiel 1: 28 All around him was a glowing halo, like a rainbow shining in the clouds on a rainy day. This is what the glory of the Lord looked like to me.[5] John also describes rainbows in heaven in his revelation. Revelations 4: 2 And instantly I was in the Spirit, and I saw a throne in heaven and someone sitting on it. 3 The one sitting on the throne was as brilliant as gemstones—like jasper and carnelian. And the glow of an emerald circled his throne like a rainbow. [6] God confirmed His covenant with a symbol of Himself. To learn more about covenant and the rainbow, listen here:
https://podpoint.com/light-of-christ-church-podcast/restoration-through-covenant
[1,2,5,6] Tyndale House Publishers. (2015). Holy Bible: New Living Translation (Ge 6:17–18). Tyndale House Publishers.
[3] Elwell, W. A., & Beitzel, B. J. (1988). Covenant. In Baker encyclopedia of the Bible (Vol. 1, p. 531). Baker Book House.
[4] Elwell, W. A., & Beitzel, B. J. (1988). Rainbow. In Baker encyclopedia of the Bible (Vol. 2, p. 1818). Baker Book House.