Genesis 9:13, “I do set my bow in the cloud, and it shall be for a token of a covenant between me and the earth.”
I woke this morning to a rainy Tuesday. The Lord has blessed us with rain here in Union County, and we needed it. I know the local farmers are happy to see the rain after we’ve experienced so many days of summer heat without any rain. Every time it rains, at the end of the shower, I look up to try and see the rainbow. My children are always excited to see one. The rainbow is such an amazing thing to see, and no matter how many I’ve been blessed to look upon, each one is able to catch my eye and attention.
According to our study verse, the bow is a token from God to confirm His promise. A token is like a symbol or sign. The rainbow is a sign or symbol of confirmation that the world will never be destroyed with water again. Why? Because God promised. God is sure and steadfast, and never changes. Malachi 3:6, “For I am the LORD, I change not;…” If God promised, God cannot and will not break His promise.
Another promise that God made is that He will come back and get us one day. Why do I believe the Lord is coming back to get His children and take them home to heaven? Because Jesus said He would. John 14:3, “And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also.” And just as I can see the bow in the clouds to assure me that God will not destroy the world with water again, His Word assures me of His promise to return and take us home. God’s promise in not destroying the world with water again is not based on man’s obedience or disobedience. The promise that’s confirmed in the rainbow is unilateral (meaning it is dependent upon God and Him alone). The Lord’s promise of saving His people and taking them home to glory is the same. Our heavenly home is not based on our obedience or disobedience, but on God’s unchangeable love and amazing grace we have in Christ Jesus (Romans 8:35-39).
In today’s world, there are groups trying to corrupt what the bow means. Rather than believing the Bible, they use the rainbow as a symbol to try to justify their sin. In like manner, men today try to corrupt God’s Word. 1 Corinthians 2:17, “For we are not as many, which corrupt the word of God:…” The labor of sin does not change God or His truth, but hinders the children of God in being assured of God’s promises. In today’s world, there are many children of God who have been blinded to the reason for the rainbow. In a similar fashion, many are blinded by the false teachings of the world, and struggle to see God’s promise of salvation and heaven. What are we to do? Declare the truth and God’s glory until we take our last breath or He returns to claim His purchased possession. We are to stand bold in His truth and proclaiming to the world “The Lord omnipotent reigneth” (Revelation 19:6).