The Promise

Read This Week: Genesis 9

Then God said to Noah and his sons: “I now establish my covenant with you and with your descendants after you: Never again will the waters of a flood destroy all life; 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. Whenever the rainbow appears in the clouds, I will see it and remember the everlasting covenant between God and all living creatures of every kind on the earth.” – Genesis 9:8-16 NIV.

A promise is a hopeful thing, a declaration that elicits an anticipation for something good. It is a reason to be encouraged and to garner an expectation of success, commitment, and excellence. A covenant is an agreement between two parties underwritten by a promise to each other. In Genesis 9, we see God’s second covenant and promise with and to man. Before this, there was the Adamic covenant in Genesis 1 and 2, and now we have the Noahic covenant made with Noah and his children on the heels of the Flood. Verses 8-11 say:

Then God said to Noah and his sons: “I now establish my covenant with you and with your descendants after you: Never again will the waters of a flood destroy all life; never again will there be a flood to destroy the earth.”

The word covenant in this passage is the Hebrew word berit and is often associated with community and a coming together of people to have fellowship. But the more preferred meaning of the word is bond, a coming together to form a connection and be bound to one another in agreement. God, in His sovereignty and authority, chooses to approach and come together with Noah and his family to form a bond underlain with a promise never to destroy the earth again and preserve humanity. He also chooses by His good pleasure and out of His grace to signify the covenant with a tangible sign that Noah’s and every generation that comes after will see, remember, and know of His promise. The Lord says in verses 13-16:

I have set my rainbow in the clouds, which will be the sign of the covenant between me and the earth. Whenever the rainbow appears in the clouds, I will see it and remember the everlasting covenant between God and all living creatures of every kind on the earth.

This covenant with Noah is a comprehensive and beautiful picture of the character and nature of God. Not only does He preserve and protect Noah and his family, but He still desires fellowship with them, so He forms a bond with humanity and includes a promise that will last forever. This is our experience with Yahweh as well. He came near us through His Son, Jesus Christ, because of His will and desire to have an intimate relationship with people. The cross formed a new bond, and the resurrection sealed the promise of an abundant life in Him and eternal life in His presence. 

Just as the rainbow is the sign of the covenant of God’s grace with Noah, the cross is the sign of His new covenant that we point to as the ultimate symbol of His grace and mercy to us. The Lord’s word and his bond with people endures even though people are still sinful. Later in this chapter, Noah and one of his sons get caught up in sin and make decisions in the flesh that result in a curse. But it did not negate the promise God made to them and their descendants. We enjoy the same promise through the blood of Christ, and is seen in this declaration from Romans 8:1-2 that anticipates something good, assuring, and hopeful for the future:

There is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus because, through Christ Jesus, the law of the Spirit who gives life has set you free from the law of sin and death. 

6 Comments

  1. Trina on September 14, 2023 at 2:30 pm

    Genesis Chapter 9 Verse 16
    When the bow [rainbow] is in the clouds and I look upon it, I will [earnestly] remember the everlasting covenant or pledge between God and every living creature of all flesh that is upon the earth.

    Genesis Chapter 9 Verse 17
    And God said to Noah, this [rainbow] Is the token or sign of the covenant or solemn pledge which I have established between Me and all flesh upon the earth.

    ~Covenant Rainbow~

    God Is Saying To Me:
    When you see a rainbow in the clouds, will you remember me? This is my covenant and promise to you that spiritual grace and beauty is represented by the supernatural gift of colors, reaching from one end of the horizon to the other. My grace and mercy is always yours to see and believe by faith in your heart. Just know, that I make the rainy and stormy waters of life beautiful and colorful so my children can see visually me looking at them and them looking at me. I am always looking at you to see if you are looking back at me! My promises are true and never again will the life of man or animal be swept away by the flood waters of sinful man. Just like the countries that pledge allegiance to their flags, will you pledge a solemn allegiance to me, your Father God, represented by the rainbow? I don’t need a reminder to represent my promises to you but my children, you need a reminder from me.

    What This Means To Me:
    Even though man has a sinful, wicked heart, God has created and established the rainbow as a solemn covenant pledge to His children. Just as the colors of the rainbow permeate colorful beauty, so should God’s promises to mankind, permeate and color their hearts. We will never be swept away to perish going forward because God has promised us that man nor animal will be forsaken or destroyed. We must believe by faith in God’s promises to us. The rainbow represents God’s grace and mercy upon his children and the earth. Thank you God for the covenant rainbow that colors my life. May I always be looking to the clouds for your spiritual and visual sign of peace, love and prosperity! ❤️❤️

  2. Alma on September 14, 2023 at 4:28 pm

    This week in Genesis chapter 9 I got a song

    God’s goodness

    What a beautiful life we have what a beautiful life we have with our Lord the one who has created everything for you and me the one who showed us at the beauty of the rainbow. The colors, the shining colors through the clouds, the rainbow shows Gods faithfulness and mercy it symbolizes hope and trust in the Lord also represents God‘s continually giving us to start a new after a storm the rainbow should always represent God and God alone, we believe we believe in all the beauty of God‘s creation upon the Earth amen

    With so many people trying to change things in the world only to make it more difficult. We as christians know the truth, God’s way and his beauty of the rainbow.

  3. Heidi on September 17, 2023 at 8:49 am

    Thank you Father God for Your Love ❤️
    We can always remember that Your Faithful!
    We are in Your hands.
    I love Your voice because it speaks truth, it leads me in the right direction, Your voice comforts me, encourages me.
    Thank you for always being Faithful, I will sing about Your goodness its wonderful
    I love you My Father God and thank you for Your everlasting Love ❤️️

    Goodness of God

    I love You, Lord
    For Your mercy never fails me
    All my days, I’ve been held in Your hands
    From the moment that I wake up
    Until I lay my head
    Oh, I will sing of the goodness of God
    And all my life You have been faithful
    And all my life You have been so, so good
    With every breath that I am able
    Oh, I will sing of the goodness of God
    I love Your voice
    You have led me through the fire
    In the darkest night
    You are close like no other
    I’ve known You as a Father
    I’ve known You as a Friend
    And I have lived in the goodness of God (yeah)
    And all my life You have been faithful (oh)
    And all my life You have been so, so good
    With every breath that I am able
    Oh, I will sing of the goodness of God (yeah)
    ‘Cause Your goodness is running after
    It’s running after me
    Your goodness is running after
    It’s running after me
    With my life laid down
    I’m surrendered now
    I give You everything
    ‘Cause Your goodness is running after
    It’s running after me (oh-oh)
    ‘Cause Your goodness is running after
    It’s running after me
    Your goodness is running after
    It’s running after me
    With my life laid down
    I’m surrendered now
    I give You everything
    ‘Cause Your goodness is running after
    It keeps running after me
    And all my life You have been faithful
    And all my life You have been so, so good
    With every breath that I am able
    Oh, I’m gonna sing of the goodness of God
    (I’m gonna sing, I’m gonna sing)
    ‘Cause all my life You have been faithful
    And all my life You have been so, so good
    With every breath that I am able
    Oh, I’m gonna sing of the goodness of God
    Oh, I’m gonna sing of the goodness of God

  4. reachchurch on September 17, 2023 at 12:28 pm

    This Week in the Life: Genesis 9

    For the best experience, we suggest you listen to the first song, the message, and the second song.

    1. Sunday Worship – First Song: https://reachchurch.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/20230917-Worship1.wav
    2. Sunday Message: https://reachchurch.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/20230917-Message.wav
    3. Sunday Worship – Second Song: https://reachchurch.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/20230917-Worship2.wav

    Join the Party Line Live – Schedule: https://reachchurch.org/connect

  5. Javaid Ahmed on September 20, 2023 at 12:10 pm

    Genesis 9 Verse 6 is what God drew my attention to.
    “Whoever sheds human blood,
    by humans shall their blood be shed;
for in the image of God
    has God made mankind.

    He said, “Without guidance in an open world, you are lost.”

    There’s a reason why we know what is right and what is wrong; how our parents teach us these things. They are passed down through generations. Imagine being placed in a world without any context or direction. God gives us that direction and allows us to embrace the peace that he makes accessible for us.

  6. Kathy on September 22, 2023 at 7:11 pm

    This is what I got from Genesis 9. In this chapter I showed you that blood represents the life of the being, whether animal or human. When blood is poured out, life is poured out. Blood made atonement for My people. It justifies you, and it brings redemption. Blood sealed the new covenant. My covenant was made with mankind and even the animals. When things become similar to the days of Noah, I will destroy the earth by fire. The world is getting back to the way it was. Be ready. I used the rainbow as a sign to Noah and all the generations that I would be faithful to My covenant. Every time you see a rainbow, you should remember My faithfulness and every one of My promises. Watch Me paint the sky with colors. The rainbow represents My enthroned glory. I am committed to remain faithful to My covenant. You as a believer, should glory in My sovereignty, because you know My sovereignty is on your side. After the flood, Noah began to provide for himself and his family. He planted many things, including a vineyard. Being drunk causes foolishness. Your eyes will see strange things, and your heart will utter perverse things. Don’t be drunk with wine; but be filled with the Holy Spirit. Alcohol depresses your self control, your wisdom, balance and judgement. The Holy Spirit is a stimulant and influences you to be better, and have a more perfect performance.

    What this said to me was Blood is what gives us life. I love so much when God paints the sky with rainbows, to remind us of His faithfulness and his promises. I want to be intoxicated by the Holy Spirit, and not wine.

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