Chapter 151—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.
Genesis 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.
[160]
227