Covenant With Noah
Passage: Genesis 9:8-17
After the flood God makes promises to all creation.
Overview
God promised never again to destroy the earth by flood, with the rainbow as a sign.
Going deeper
This covenant is universal: with every living creature. It provides the stable world in which redemption happens.
Key verses (KJV)
- Genesis 9:11 Neither shall there any more be a flood to destroy the earth.
- Genesis 9:13 I do set my bow in the cloud.
From the commentaries
God's Covenant with Noah. (b. c. 2347.) Here is, I. The general establishment of God's covenant with this new world, and the extent of that covenant, v. 9, 10. Here observe, 1. That God is graciously pleased to deal with man in the way of a covenant, wherein God greatly magnifies his condescending favour, and greatly encourages man's duty and obedience, as a reasonable and gainful service. 2. That all God's covenants with man are of his own making: I, behold, I. It is thus expressed both to raise our admiration—"Behold, and wonder, that though God be high yet he has this respect to man," and to confirm our assurances of the validity of the covenant—"Behold and see, I make it; I that am faith
Matthew Henry, Matthew Henry's Commentary on the Whole Bible (1706-1721)
13. I do set my bow in the cloud—set, that is, constitute or appoint. This common and familiar phenomenon being made the pledge of peace, its appearance when showers began to fall would be welcomed with the liveliest feelings of joy.
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown, Jamieson, Fausset & Brown, Commentary Critical and Explanatory (1871)
11. And I will establish my covenant with you; neither shall all flesh be cut off any more by the waters of a flood; neither shall there any more be a flood to destroy the earth. 11. Et statuam pactum meum vobiscum, et non excidetur omnis caro ultra ab aquis diluvii, et non erit ultra diluvium, ut disperdat terram. 12. 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: 12. Et dixit Deus, Hoc est signum foederis quod ego do inter me et bos, et omnem animan viventem quae est vobiscum in generationes saeculi: 13. I do set my bow in the cloud, and it shall be for a token of a covenant between me a
John Calvin, John Calvin's Commentaries (16th century, Calvin Translation Society, 1840s-1850s)
Application
- What does the rainbow say about God?
- How do you see common grace around you?
- Thank God for creation's stability.