The Sign of the Rainbow

Welcome back. It is a new day, filled with God's blessings. His mercies are new every morning. May he fill us with his Holy Spirit today as we study his Word, and then as we go forth and live for him!

Read Psalm 9

Quote from Luther: "Psalm 9 is also a prophecy of the people of Christ, the Holy Christian Church. They suffer, following the example of Christ, and their blood is continually being shed. However, the psalm gives this prophecy thankfully and comfortingly, so that it might well be called a psalm of thanks and comfort. The Christians (and especially the holy martyrs) here thank God and are comforted by the fact that God never leaves them." Reading the Psalms with Luther, CPH, p. 29.

Read Genesis 9

Meditation:

We see many separate things happen in our Genesis 9 reading today. All have exited the ark. Now Noah and his sons are given the same mandate and blessing Adam and Eve were given, "Be fruitful and multiply." The earth will be repopulated.

Also, we see permission given to them to eat not just vegetation (permission was granted for that in Eden), but now also animals. Eating meat is no sin. But the relationship between man and beast has changed over time, and especially now. Adam and Eve were to have dominion over the animals. Now we hear that fear and dread falls upon the animals. Not that there aren't exceptions, but who can walk up to a wild animal without that animal running away, hiding, or striking out in fear?

We see also that murder is an offense to God. Though perfection is lost, there is still something of the image of God left in man (speaking to his value before God, NOT an innate goodness or divine spark. Righteousness was completely LOST!) Therefore man is warned not to fall into the pre-flood violence and bloodshed that grieved the heart of God.

We also see this unfortunate incident where Ham sees "his father's nakedness." We will see later in all the laws given to Israel that this expression may be a euphemism for something more. So some scholars believe that Ham's sin was worse than laughing at his drunk and naked father. They believe he may have violated his father, or even his mother. Is that what happened? We don't know for sure. But the point is this, Ham's son, Canaan, bears a curse because of it. And many, many years later, the Israelites would conquer and dispossess the Canaanites. Ham would not bear the promise of the coming "offspring," or Messiah. No. Shem carries on the promise. And his brother Japheth is blessed by it as his descendants "dwell in the tents of Shem." Perhaps this hints at the fact that even though salvation comes through one people group (the Jews), it also benefits all others by faith (Gentiles too)? Maybe that's a stretch. But then again, God's Word is rich and deep.

The most comforting part of this reading is the rainbow. We need not speculate if it had ever rained before, or if light had ever refracted through water or a prism before, or anything like that. The point is that we have a sure and steadfast promise that God will never again send a world-wide flood. More than that, this is a visible sign given to remind us of the promise of 8:22 that as long as the earth exists day and night, summer and winter, seedtime and harvest will not cease. I talked to one older pastor who told me this verse brought him great comfort during the Cold War when everyone was worried about a world-wide nuclear fallout. Maybe we need this dose of comfort as we worry about North Korea and Iran's nuclear capabilities as well?

The rainbow reminds us of God's patience, his love, and his protection. The rainbow also reminds God. Did you notice that God said when he sees it he will "remember the covenant" he made with Noah? You might see yesterday's devotion to see some comments about what it means when God "remembers." Next time you see a rainbow, be amazed at more than its beauty, or the science behind it. Be amazed at God's mercy, and that he gives signs to remind us of his promises.

Ask Yourself:

Am I surrounded by enemies? Which enemies are pushing hard against me now? (world? devil? sinful flesh?)

What verses of Psalm 9 comfort us when we feel under great spiritual attack?

The rainbow is a beautiful and steadfast sign of God's promise. How is the rainbow used positively today? How is it used negatively? Who is driving its use?

Pray:

With all our hearts we give thanks to You, O Lord, because at all times You dwell with Your Christians and graciously preserve those in the true faith who confess Your name. Dwell in us, O Lord, with Your grace. Increase Your Church daily, and grant us to be and to remain, true members of the same to our final end. Amen.

Study with me tomorrow.

Pastor Jon

Glory to God!