It shall be, when I bring a cloud over the earth, that the rainbow shall be seen in the cloud;—Genesis 9:14
“Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our affliction . . .” (2 Cor. 1:3-4 ESV).
For as the sufferings of Christ abound in us, so our consolation also abounds through Christ.—2 Cor 1:5
I have spent much time this year meditating and reading on Genesis 9:14. Rather than writing a devotional that could not possibly do it justice, I am sharing here portions of some of my favorite expositions on this particular section of Scripture.(Genesis 9:8-17). I would also recommend reading in full both Warren Wiersbe’s exposition as well as John MacDuff’s book. Praying they bless you and that you take them into your heart for the inevitable rainy days to come.
Matthew Henry:
“The seal of this covenant was the rainbow. The rainbow appears when we have most reason to fear the rain prevailing; God then shows this seal of the promise, that it shall not prevail. The thicker the cloud, the brighter the bow in the cloud. Thus, as threatening afflictions abound, encouraging consolations much more abound. The rainbow is the reflection of the beams of the sun shining upon or through the drops of rain: all the glory of the seals of the covenant are derived from Christ, the Sun of righteousness. And he will shed a glory on the tears of his saints. A bow speaks terror, but this has neither string nor arrow; and a bow alone will do little hurt. It is a bow, but it is directed upward, not toward the earth; for the seals of the covenant were intended to comfort, not to terrify.”—Matthew Henry
“Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our affliction . . .” (2 Cor. 1:3-4 ESV).
For as the sufferings of Christ abound in us, so our consolation also abounds through Christ.—2 Cor 1:5
John MacDuff
No bow of promise in the dark and cloudy day shines more radiantly than this: God, my God, the God who gave Jesus—orders all events and overrules all for my good!
“When I” says He, “bring a cloud over the earth” (Gen. 9:14), He has no wish to conceal the hand which shadows for a time earth’s brightest prospects. It is He alike who “brings” the cloud, who brings us into it, and in mercy leads us through it! His kingdom rules over all. “The lot is cast into the lap, but the whole disposing thereof is of the LORD” (Prov. 16:33). We are tenants at will; but, blessed thought, at God’s will. He puts the burden on, and keeps it on, and at His own time will remove it!—John MacDuff from “The Bow in the Cloud” (Editing Author - Ralph Tilley)
Spurgeon:
And I will establish My Covenant with you, neither shall all flesh be cut off anymore by the waters of a flood; neither shall there anymore be a flood to destroy the earth. 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 for a Covenant between Me and the earth. And it shall come to pass, when I bring a cloud over the earth, that the bow shall be seen in the cloud. And I will remember My Covenant, which is between Me and you and every living creature of all flesh, and the waters shall no more become a flood to destroy all flesh. And the bow shall be in the cloud; and I will look upon it
“What a wonderful expression that is! It is similar to that remarkable declaration of Jehovah, recorded in Exodus 12:13. "When I see the blood, I will pass over you." The blood was not to be sprinkled inside the house where the Israelites might be comforted by a sight of it, but outside the house where only God could see it. It is for our sake that the rainbow is set in the cloud and we can see it there. Yet Infinite Mercy represents it as being there as a refreshment to the memory of God — "The bow shall be in the cloud; and I will look upon it."
That I may remember the Everlasting Covenant between God and every living creature of all flesh that is upon the earth.
So when my eye of faith is dim and I cannot see the Covenant sign, I will remember that there is an eye which never can be dim — which always sees the Covenant token — and so I shall still be secure notwithstanding the dimness of my spiritual vision. For our comfort we must see it, but for our safety, blessed be God, it is only necessary that He should see it!”—Spurgeon
Warren Wiersbe
“Let’s pursue that thought. If the rainbow reminds us of God’s faithfulness and grace, then why do we fret and worry? God hasn’t promised that we’ll never experience storms, but He has promised that the storms won’t destroy us. “When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and through the rivers, they shall not overflow you” (Isa. 43:2 NKJV). When the clouds appear and the sun is hidden, we have nothing to fear.
Let’s think about the bow. A bow is an instrument of war, but God has transformed it into a picture of His grace and faithfulness, a guarantee of peace. God could certainly turn the bow of judgment upon us, because we’ve broken His law and deserve judgment. But He has turned the bow toward heaven and taken the punishment for us Himself! When Jesus died on the cross, it was the Just One suffering for the unjust (1 Peter 3:18) and bearing the suffering that rightfully belonged to us.”—Warren Wiersbe from Be Series Commentary “Be Basic” Genesis 9:8-17
