In Genesis 6, we read that as mankind multiplied on the earth, wickedness grew to the point that every intention of the thoughts of the heart of mankind was only evil continually.  Noah was a righteous man, and God commanded Noah to build a large ship - an ark - in which Noah and his family, along with males and females of every land animal and bird were to be saved.  In Genesis 7, we read that Noah did as God instructed him, and the flood waters came, covering every mountain to a depth of over 22 feet.  The waters remained on the earth for 150 days, and all life on the land and in the sky died.  Genesis 8 tells us that the waters receded, the ark came to rest on Mount Ararat, and Noah and his family, along with all of the animals, came out of the ark.  God instructed them to repopulate the earth.

Then starting in Genesis 9:8, we read the following:

8 Then God said to Noah and to his sons with him, 9 “Behold, I establish my covenant with you and your offspring after you, 10 and with every living creature that is with you, the birds, the livestock, and every beast of the earth with you, as many as came out of the ark; it is for every beast of the earth. 11 I establish my covenant with you, that never again shall all flesh be cut off by the waters of the flood, and never again shall there be a flood to destroy the earth.” 12 And God said, “This is the sign of the covenant that I make between me and you and every living creature that is with you, for all future generations: 13 I have set my bow in the cloud, and it shall be a sign of the covenant between me and the earth. 14 When I bring clouds over the earth and the bow is seen in the clouds, 15 I will remember my covenant that is between me and you and every living creature of all flesh. And the waters shall never again become a flood to destroy all flesh. 16 When the bow is in the clouds, I will see it and remember the everlasting covenant between God and every living creature of all flesh that is on the earth.” 17 God said to Noah, “This is the sign of the covenant that I have established between me and all flesh that is on the earth.”
Genesis 9:8-17, ESV

The rainbow is a symbol of God's covenant, that He will never destroy all flesh on the earth again with a flood.  It is a sign in the sky placed there by God himself.

While the rainbow may be used to represent many things, we should remember that God created it, and it is representative of His promise to mankind.  We all still wander from God's will (Romans 3:23, 1 John 1:8), and we are all in need of reconciliation to God through the blood of Jesus Christ (Romans 5:10-11, 2 Corinthians 5:18-20, Colossians 1:20-22).  We all need transformation from our old way of life through God's Spirit (Romans 12:1-2, 2 Corinthians 3:18).  If you would like to begin your walk with God, you can start here, or contact us.





Scripture quotations are from The Holy Bible, English Standard Version ®, copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.