Genesis 9:12 - Meaning and Application

In human dealings, agreements are often sealed so they will be treated more solemnly and kept more surely, to the satisfaction of both sides. In the same way, God, wanting to show “more abundantly” to the heirs of promise, that is, believers who inherit what he has promised, the unchanging nature of his purpose, confirmed his covenant with a seal (Hebrews 6:17). That makes the foundation we stand on firm and secure (2 Timothy 2:19).

The seal of this covenant in nature was fitting, the rainbow. It had likely appeared in the clouds before, whenever natural causes worked together, but it was not a seal of the covenant until God appointed it that way. On this seal, several things are worth noticing.

First, God attaches repeated assurances to this sign, to confirm the truth of the promise it seals: “I set my bow in the cloud” (Genesis 9:23). “It will be seen in the cloud” (Genesis 9:14), so that what the eye sees may stir the heart and strengthen faith. It is called “the token of the covenant” (Genesis 9:12, Genesis 9:13), and God says, “I will remember my covenant,” that the waters will never again become a flood (Genesis 9:15). As if the eternal mind needed a reminder, God also says, “I will look on it, that I may remember the everlasting covenant” (Genesis 9:16). Here is line upon line, so that those who have taken hold of this hope may have strong encouragement.

Second, the rainbow appears when the clouds are most likely to bring rain, and it comes after the rain. When we have the strongest reason to fear that the rain will keep falling, God shows this sign that it will not prevail. In this way, God meets our fears with help that is both fitting and timely.

Third, the thicker the cloud, the brighter the bow. So when troubles grow heavier, comfort grows richer as well (2 Corinthians 1:5). The very place that seems most dark becomes the place where God shows the greatest beauty.

Fourth, the rainbow appears when part of the sky is clear. That suggests mercy remembered in the middle of judgment. The clouds are, as it were, edged with the rainbow, so they do not spread over the whole heavens, because the bow is like colored rain or the cloud’s edges touched with gold.

Fifth, the rainbow is the reflection of the sun’s rays. That suggests that all the glory and meaning of the covenant signs come from Christ, the Sun of righteousness. He is pictured with a rainbow around his throne (Revelation 4:3) and a rainbow on his head (Revelation 10:1), which shows not only his majesty, but also his role as mediator, the one who stands between God and people.

Sixth, the rainbow has fiery colors in it, to show that although God will never again destroy the world by a flood, the world will still be consumed by fire when God’s plan is completed.

Seventh, a bow usually suggests danger, but this bow has no string and no arrow, like the bow prepared against persecutors (Psalm 7:12, Psalm 7:13). A bow without an arrow can do little harm. It is still a bow, but it points upward, not toward the earth, because the signs of the covenant are meant to comfort, not to frighten.

Finally, as God looks upon the bow to remember the covenant, so we should look upon it and remember the covenant too, with faith and gratitude.