Genesis 8:15-9:17 - An Everlasting Covenant

The first explicit covenant we see in Scripture occurs when Noah gets off the Ark, and God promises never to destroy the earth in that way again. God makes this covenant with all of creation for all future generations, while the earth remains.

One unique aspect of the covenant sign, the rainbow, is that this is not a sign for man to do (like circumcision or observing the sabbath), but this is a sign for God, to look upon it and remember His covenant. Unfortunately, far too many Christians, not to mention the lost world, take this covenant sign in a manner completely opposite to its intention.

Every generation since the time of Noah has deserved to be wiped out by a Flood of God's wrath because of their wickedness. It is only because of the mercy of God through this covenant that we haven't experienced that. But in His mercy, and His grace, God chose another method of dealing with human wickedness, using a later covenant.