Instruction
Scripture: Genesis9:8-17
This reading records part of the covenant God made with Noah
after the waters of the flood receded and Noah and his family had come out of
the ark. This portion focuses specifically on the sign of the covenant – the
rainbow. God said that he placed the rainbow in the sky as a reminder that he
would never destroy the earth by a flood again. The passage shows us that God
makes covenants – sacred agreements or pledges – with people in which he, the
more powerful, is the one who takes action on behalf of the weaker.
Teaching
The rainbow is a thing of beauty that people often love to
behold. Its beauty, however, is not limited to its shape or its colors. The
beauty of the rainbow is also that it is mark of an agreement between God and
the world to never destroy the world by flood again.
When we say it is an agreement, we often get the idea of
negotiation and compromises, but this was not the case. God stated to Noah and
his sons, “Behold, I establish my covenant with you ….” God’s covenants say
more about who he is and what he will do than what the recipients of the
covenant will do! God bound himself for Noah’s family’s sake, and for the whole
world’s sake, because of the love he had for them.
Life
Noah’s covenant is still in effect today. When we see a
rainbow we do well to remember God’s covenant and his faithfulness to his word.
Beyond thinking about refraction and the properties of light, we think of the
Creator who chose this beautiful phenomenon to comfort and encourage us.
God is not done with covenants. He has made a new covenant
with us. It deals with the forgiveness of our sins through Jesus broken body
and shed blood. Like the covenants of old, it has more to do with what he does
than what he requires from us. But here again we see that he chose to make a
promise to us for our salvation. And He will keep it.
Prayer
This prayer is written
in the theme of Petition.
Lord God, you created this world and all the wonders that
are in it. Help us to hold on to that in a world that consistently denies your
existence, doubts your deeds, and tries to put aside your wonders and simple
natural phenomena. Help us to live faithfully in a world that you created and
to which you have given order that we can study and comprehend. Keep us and all
your people in awe of the covenants you have made with us. Not only the covenant
you made with Noah, but keep us in the covenant that you have made with us in
Jesus. Help us trust what you have promised – forgiveness of sins, salvation
from death, resurrection, everlasting life, and sharing in your eternal glory.
When we see your rainbow in the sky, help us to remember your covenant and to
rejoice that you continue to keep it. But even more, we ask that when people
behold the cross of Christ that they would see the new covenant you have made
by which we are saved from sin and that all hearts would believe what you have
done for us because of your great love and grace. Amen.
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