The Rainbow
The brilliance of a rainbow evokes oohs and aaahs every time it appears. According to Genesis 9, the rainbow first appeared as a symbol of God's covenant with his people to never again destroy all life through water. As I read through this chapter, I discovered something new. (Why am I surprised to be learning something new from Genesis? His word is applicable everyday!)
Genesis 9:16 says, "Whenever the rainbow appears in the clouds, I will see it and remember the everlasting covenant between God and all living creatures of every kind on the earth."
Hmmmm....I'd never thought before that God needed to be reminded of His covenant with us. I have always remembered this passage and the rainbow in general to act as a symbol to mankind of God's mercy over us. We need reminded, and, at times, I am in awe of God's mercy when I take in the sight of a rainbow. I forget that we are dependent on God's mercy and that if he hadn't made that covenant, he could easily destroyed mankind generations ago and been done with it all.
God also uses the rainbow as a reminder of His covenant! I can imagine his frustration with us. I get extremely frustrated with my kids, I can't imagine how God feels with His sense of mercy and love for each one. I wonder if it ever crosses His mind, that enough is enough and He should be done with us? I wonder if His love for us surpasses all of His frustration? I hope that it does. But, I still can't ignore this passage in Genesis. God said that the rainbow is a reminder to Him. Does He need reminded?
As God scans the earth, glimpsing His creation, I imagine God smiling. He said earlier in Genesis that His creation is good, right? I also understand how He could be frustrated with us in all our cyclic failings. I wonder (and this part, as a teacher) how he processes the fact that He must teach and reteach lessons to each of us....and many don't lend an ear. Yeah, I think God smiles at what He has done, but can be frustrated how we have misused almost every part of it. Perhaps He does need that reminder of His mercy and plan for us. Then again, He is God. He probably doesn't forget that He is the creator and controller of all living things. I don't know....I just wonder.
Anyway, one other thing I found fascinating for the first time is in Genesis 9:16, God says, "...when I see it.." Of course He can see the rainbow...I know this in my head. But, the next time I gaze at the wonder of the rainbow, I will know that God is gazing too. How cool is that?!?!?!
Genesis 9:16 says, "Whenever the rainbow appears in the clouds, I will see it and remember the everlasting covenant between God and all living creatures of every kind on the earth."
Hmmmm....I'd never thought before that God needed to be reminded of His covenant with us. I have always remembered this passage and the rainbow in general to act as a symbol to mankind of God's mercy over us. We need reminded, and, at times, I am in awe of God's mercy when I take in the sight of a rainbow. I forget that we are dependent on God's mercy and that if he hadn't made that covenant, he could easily destroyed mankind generations ago and been done with it all.
God also uses the rainbow as a reminder of His covenant! I can imagine his frustration with us. I get extremely frustrated with my kids, I can't imagine how God feels with His sense of mercy and love for each one. I wonder if it ever crosses His mind, that enough is enough and He should be done with us? I wonder if His love for us surpasses all of His frustration? I hope that it does. But, I still can't ignore this passage in Genesis. God said that the rainbow is a reminder to Him. Does He need reminded?
As God scans the earth, glimpsing His creation, I imagine God smiling. He said earlier in Genesis that His creation is good, right? I also understand how He could be frustrated with us in all our cyclic failings. I wonder (and this part, as a teacher) how he processes the fact that He must teach and reteach lessons to each of us....and many don't lend an ear. Yeah, I think God smiles at what He has done, but can be frustrated how we have misused almost every part of it. Perhaps He does need that reminder of His mercy and plan for us. Then again, He is God. He probably doesn't forget that He is the creator and controller of all living things. I don't know....I just wonder.
Anyway, one other thing I found fascinating for the first time is in Genesis 9:16, God says, "...when I see it.." Of course He can see the rainbow...I know this in my head. But, the next time I gaze at the wonder of the rainbow, I will know that God is gazing too. How cool is that?!?!?!
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