Topical Bible: Rain: The Rainbow often Appears During

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In the biblical narrative, rain is a significant meteorological phenomenon that is often associated with divine intervention, blessing, and judgment. The appearance of a rainbow during or after rain holds profound theological significance, particularly in the context of God's covenant with humanity.

The Covenant with Noah

The most notable biblical account involving rain and the rainbow is found in the account of Noah. After the great flood, which was a divine judgment upon the earth for its wickedness, God established a covenant with Noah and his descendants. This covenant is marked by the appearance of a rainbow, serving as a sign of God's promise never to destroy the earth again by floodwaters. In Genesis 9:12-17 , God declares:

"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 a sign of the covenant between Me and the earth. Whenever I form clouds over the earth and the rainbow appears in the clouds, I will remember My covenant between Me and you and all living creatures of every kind. Never again will the waters become a flood to destroy all life. 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.' So God said to Noah, 'This is the sign of the covenant I have established between Me and all life on the earth.'"

The rainbow, therefore, is not merely a natural phenomenon but a divine symbol of mercy and faithfulness. It serves as a reminder of God's grace and His commitment to the preservation of life.

Rain as a Blessing and Judgment

Throughout the Scriptures, rain is depicted both as a blessing and as a tool of judgment. In Deuteronomy 11:13-14 , God promises rain as a blessing for obedience:

"So if you carefully obey the commandments I am giving you today, to love the LORD your God and to serve Him with all your heart and with all your soul, then I will provide rain for your land in season—the autumn and spring rains—that you may gather your grain, new wine, and oil."

Conversely, the withholding of rain is often a sign of divine displeasure and judgment, as seen in 1 Kings 17:1 , where Elijah declares a drought:

"Now Elijah the Tishbite, from Tishbe in Gilead, said to Ahab, 'As the LORD, the God of Israel, lives, before whom I stand, there will be neither dew nor rain in the next few years except at my word.'"

Theological Implications

The rainbow's appearance during or after rain is a powerful reminder of God's sovereignty and His covenantal relationship with creation. It underscores the dual nature of rain as both a life-giving force and a potential instrument of judgment. The rainbow assures believers of God's enduring promise and His control over the natural world.

In the broader biblical context, the rainbow also points to the hope of restoration and the ultimate fulfillment of God's promises. It is a symbol of peace and reconciliation, reflecting the divine assurance that God's purposes are ultimately for the good of His creation.

Torrey's Topical Textbook

Genesis 9:14
And it shall come to pass, when I bring a cloud over the earth, that the bow shall be seen in the cloud:
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Ezekiel 1:28
As the appearance of the bow that is in the cloud in the day of rain, so was the appearance of the brightness round about. This was the appearance of the likeness of the glory of the LORD. And when I saw it, I fell on my face, and I heard a voice of one that spoke.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Library

The Creation of Luminous Bodies.
... lines, like the colours of the rainbow, which are ... it threatens us either with heavy
rain or with ... rapid course, others make slower revolutions, and often in an ...
/.../basil/basil letters and select works/homily vi the creation of.htm

The Sermon on the Mount - the Kingdom of Christ and Rabbinic ...
... in Jewish writings, whose teaching, indeed, often embodies opposite ... this, it is added,
the rain descended plentifully. ... his whole lifetime no rainbow was needed ...
/.../the life and times of jesus the messiah/chapter xviii the sermon on.htm

Of the Three Woe Trumpets.
... consequence of the heavy cloud and rain, and recalling ... understood likewise in other
visions, as often as any ... like a jasper stone""and "a rainbow in appearance ...
/.../mede/a key to the apocalypse/of the three woe trumpets.htm

Everybody's Sermon
... the sun at his setting and observe the rainbow hues of ... heaven and thanks the giver
of the rain for the ... And in journeying, you have noticed how often the road ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 4 1858/everybodys sermon.htm

The Immaculate Conception
... of His compassion towards them; I often saw them ... priests of Baal, Elijah' prayer
for rain and the ... which formed themselves into eddies with rainbow edges; these ...
/.../emmerich/the life of the blessed virgin mary/ii the immaculate conception.htm

Covenanting Enforced by the Grant of Covenant Signs and Seals.
... is the bow in the cloud in the day of rain. ... When the rainbow displays its spiritual
glories, by others unperceived ... from me."[728] And this he has often made his ...
/.../cunningham/the ordinance of covenanting/chapter xi covenanting enforced by.htm

The Second vision "On Earth"
... John saw the blood-red rain of hail and fire from ... are called stars in Job 38:7, and
often in the ... heaven, arrayed with a cloud: and the [220] rainbow was upon ...
/.../bullinger/commentary on revelation/the second vision on earth.htm

A Canticle of Love
... Nothing shall affright me, nor wind nor rain. ... Painful remedies had often to be applied ...
them more than usual, she was resting in her cell during recreation, and ...
/...//christianbookshelf.org/martin/the story of a soul/chapter xi a canticle of.htm

Mr. Bunyan's Last Sermon:
... From this it appears to have been preached only two days ... on his way home, through
a heavy rain, the effects ... comfortably;[58] also he would be often reading in ...
/.../bunyan/the works of john bunyan volumes 1-3/mr bunyans last sermon .htm

The Pilgrim's Progress
... in a place of bliss, among many immortals, with a harp in his hand, standing and
playing upon it before One that sat on a throne, with a rainbow about His head ...
/.../bunyan/the works of john bunyan volumes 1-3/the pilgrims progress.htm