The Symbol of the Covenant
And God said, This is the token of the covenant which I make between me and you and every living creature that is with you, for
perpetual generations: I do set my bow in the cloud, and it shall be for a token of a covenant between me and the earth. Gen. 9: 12, 13.
What compassion for erring man, to place the beautiful, variegated rainbow in the clouds, a token of the covenant of the great God with man! . . . It was His
design that as the children of after generations should see the bow in the cloud, . . . their parents could explain to them the destruction of the old world by a flood,
because the people gave themselves up to all manner of wickedness, and that the hands of the Most High had bended the bow, and placed it in the clouds, as a
token that He would never bring again a flood of waters on the earth. This symbol in the clouds was to confirm the belief of all, and establish their confidence in God,
for it was a token of divine mercy and goodness to man. . . .
A rainbow is represented in Heaven round about the throne, also above the head of Christ, as a symbol of God's mercy encompassing the earth. When man by
his great wickedness provokes the wrath of God, Christ, man's intercessor, pleads for him, and points to the rainbow in the cloud, as evidence of God's great mercy
and compassion for erring man.
Angels rejoice as they gaze upon this precious token of God's love to man. The world's Redeemer looks upon it; for it was through His instrumentality that this
bow was made to appear in the heavens, as a token or covenant of promise to man. God Himself looks upon the bow in the clouds, and remembers His everlasting
covenant between Himself and man. . . . As we gaze upon the beautiful sight, we may be joyful in God, assured that He Himself is looking upon this token of His
covenant, and that as He looks upon it He remembers the children of earth, to whom it was given. Their afflictions, perils, and trials are not hidden from Him. We
may rejoice in hope, for the bow of God's covenant is over us. He never will forget the children of His care.
From God's Amazing Grace - Page 157
