Like many, I was struck by the simultaneous appearance of the rainbows in the wake of Queen Elizabeth’s passing – a double rainbow over Buckingham Palace, two over Windsor Castle and another over Balmoral.

And whilst discussing this with my wife, I learned something new. Our discussion focused on the biblical significance of rainbows and how God used them principally in connections with Noah’s covenant: 

Again, God said to Noah and his sons: I am going to make a solemn promise to you and to everyone who will live after you. This includes the birds and the animals that came out of the boat. I promise every living creature that the earth and those living on it will never again be destroyed by a flood. The rainbow that I have put in the sky will be my sign to you and to every living creature on earth. It will remind you that I will keep this promise forever. When I send clouds over the earth, and a rainbow appears in the sky, I will remember my promise to you and to all other living creatures. Never again will I let floodwaters destroy all life. When I see the rainbow in the sky, I will always remember the promise that I have made to every living creature. The rainbow will be the sign of that solemn promise. (Gen 9:8-16)

Rainbows in the Scriptures

The rainbow is given in the context of rain, storm, and judgement from God, and it marks his promise never to wipe out humanity again by flood, no matter how bad the earth might become, right until the end. In this, the rainbow is a symbol of hope in the context of judgement and storm, a reminder of God’s grace.

The rainbow is a symbol of hope in the context of judgement and storm, a reminder of God’s grace.

Reading the text, however, we can see that this promise sits within a larger context – one of repetition around the word 'promise', or, in other versions, 'covenant'. We see the word covenant repeated seven times in total in this chapter – and seven is a significant number.

The Hebrew root for seven – ‘sheva’ – is also shared with the word oath. Of course, as every child knows, there are seven colours in God’s rainbow, this reminder of grace and goodness.

We also see rainbows featuring in Ezekiel and Revelation, in both instances, these surround and encircle God in his holy habitation. It is thus fair to say that rainbows point to God, that they act as a symbol of his glory and majesty, as well as his nature as a faithful, promise-keeping God.

Rainbows point to God... they act as a symbol of his glory and majesty, as well as his nature as a faithful, promise-keeping God.

Elizabeth and the rainbow

Whilst in conversation with my wife, we noted that the name Elizabeth comes from the Hebrew ‘Elisheva’. This name includes ‘sheva’, the word we noted above, which relates to both the number seven and also oath. Queen Elizabeth came to the throne in a shabbat (or sabbath) year and passed away in another shabbat year, a further alignment with the number seven, shortly after celebrating her 70th anniversary.

Queen Elizabeth, of course, made an oath, or covenant, upon her coronation, and a promise a few years before to be devoted to the service of the country. These rainbows could also be seen to have reflected the oath that she kept, to the best of her ability, throughout 70 years.

The days of Noah

At home, we follow for part of our regular Bible readings the scriptures which are read out for the Shabbat in the Jewish synagogues, the haftarah, with the weekly prayers from Intercessors For Israel. We had noted that the scripture portion for the week was Isaiah 54:1-10 which includes the following words:

“‘This is like the days of Noah to me: as I swore that the waters of Noah should no more go over the earth, so I have sworn that I will not be angry with you, and will not rebuke you. For the mountains may depart and the hills be removed, but my steadfast love shall not depart from you, and my covenant of peace shall not be removed’, says the Lord, who has compassion on you.” (9-10)

I’m not a believer in coincidences – especially where God’s word is concerned. So, would we be right to read into this an intimation from the Lord that we are in days similar to those of Noah? Certainly we have not long come out of ‘Pride month’, when gay rights activists and every business that wants to pander to them blitz us with their version of the rainbow – and I say version, because, returning to my wife’s conversation, she pointed out that their rainbow has only six colours, not the seven that reflects God’s goodness and promises. This made me think deeply about what God might be saying in this.

Two weeks ago, I wrote a study reflecting on God’s unrelenting grace and desire for all to be present at the Lamb’s wedding feast. Is God reminding us that his covenant of peace still stands? That God himself made a way for us to come into his covenant community, and that anyone can be forgiven of sin, indeed, has to actually reject God’s invitation to be excluded? What else might God be saying? (Please add your comments below.)

Queen Elizabeth accepted this invitation. I pray that many, many more, including our new king, will accept God’s gracious invitation to take part in this joyous celebration.