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What do you think of when you see a rainbow? For many centuries, the rainbow has been a significant symbol in society. In recent years, however, that symbolism has changed.

The first meaning behind the rainbow happened many, many centuries ago. You can read about it in Genesis 9, but start in Genesis 6 if you want the whole back story. Essentially, the world became wicked except for one man (Noah) and his family. God destroyed the entire earth with a worldwide flood. Afterwards, Noah and his family were given the symbol of God’s promise to never destroy the earth with a flood, ever again. Genesis 9:11-13 says:

“[God said], ‘I establish my covenant with you: Never again will all life be destroyed by the waters of a flood; never again will there be a flood to destroy the earth.’
And God said, ‘This is the sign of the covenant I am making between me and you and every living creature with you, a covenant for all generations to come: I have set my rainbow in the clouds, and it will be the sign of the covenant between me and the earth.’”

The passage goes on to tell us that whenever a rainbow is seen, for many generations to come, the people will remember God’s promise to Noah. Do you think about that when you see a rainbow?

Or do you think about the pop culture images of the rainbow that we have today? The double rainbow Internet meme was popular a few years ago, and that got people interested in rainbows again. Even before that, the rainbow started being used as a symbol for homosexual pride and the movement for rights of homosexuals.

Not to go into that issue, but how did we as a society lose the amazing symbolism of the rainbow as God’s promise to all of mankind? While there may be flooding in some areas - including the city of Findlay, where I write this from - God has promised to never again destroy the whole earth with a flood. Never! When God says never, He means it. To this day, God has kept that promise. After centuries upon centuries of keeping that promise and being reminded of it every time there is a rainbow, certainly we can count on God to keep all of His promises.