Glory Of The Seals

 

 

 

I set My rainbow in the clouds, and it shall be a sign of a covenant between Me and the earth.
(Genesis 9:13)

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As the old world was ruined to be a monument of justice, so this world remains to
this day a monument of mercy.  But sin...that drowned the old world... will burn this...

Articles of agreement among men are sealed, that what is promised may be the more
 solemn, and the doing of what is covenanted, the more sure to mutual satisfaction.

 

The seal of this covenant was the rainbow, which, it is likely, was seen in the clouds before,
but was never a seal of the covenant till now it was made so.  The rainbow appears when 
 we have most reason to fear the rain prevailing; God then shows this seal of the promise, 
that it shall not prevail.  The thicker the cloud, the brighter the bow in the cloud. 

Thus, as threatening afflictions abound, encouraging consolations much more abound.

 

"But He gives us more and more grace, through the power of the Holy Spirit, to defy sin 
 and live an obedient life that reflects both our faith and our gratitude for our salvation.
 Therefore, it says, "GOD IS OPPOSED TO THE PROUD and HAUGHTY, BUT, GIVES
 the gift of GRACE TO THE HUMBLE who turn away from self-righteousness." 
(James 4:6)

 

The rainbow is the reflection of the beams of the sun shining upon or through drops of rain:
all the glory of the seals of the covenant are derived from Christ, the Sun of righteousness.
And He will shed a glory on the tears of His saints.  A bow speaks terror, but this has neither
string nor arrow; and a bow alone will do little hurt.  It is a bow, but it is directed upward,
not toward the earth; for the seals of the covenant were intended to comfort not terrify. 

 

"But for you who REVERE MY NAME shall the SUN of righteousness arise with healing
 upon His lips; and you shall go forth and leap for joy like the calves of the herd.
And you shall tread down the wicked; for they shall be ashes under the soles of 
 your feet in the day that I shall do this, says the LORD of hosts." 
(Malachi 4:2-3)

 

As God looks upon the bow, that He may remember the covenant, so should we, that we
may be mindful of the covenant with faith and thankfulness.  Without revelation, this
gracious assurance could not be known; and without faith it can be of no use to us; 
 and thus it is as to the still greater dangers to which all are exposed, 
and as to the new covenant with its blessings.
-Matthew Henry's Commentary

 

 

"And I saw another mighty angel come down from heaven, clothed with a cloud: and a
rainbow was upon his head and his face was as it were the sun and his feet as pillars of fire... "
(Revelation 10:1)