Why a Rainbow is in the Sky

There is nothing more beautiful and refreshing than seeing a rainbow in the sky after a rain. We see the rainbow and look at it for its beauty; however, God put the rainbow in the sky for more than its mere beauty.

According to Genesis 6:13-22, God called Noah to build an ark when it did not rain from above. During the time of Noah, the rain came up from the earth. Noah was obedient to God and built the ark according to God's instructions. It rained for forty days and for forty nights. The earth was destroyed. Only Noah's family of eight and two of each animal survived the flood.

God's Covenant with Noah

In Genesis 9:1-19, God made a vow with Noah that He would not destroy the earth again by water. As a sign and seal of that promise, God put the rainbow in the sky to remind Himself of the promise. Therefore, Noah's covenant and its sign have become our covenant and our sign of that covenant as well.

I have set my rainbow in the clouds, and it will be the sign of the covenant between me and the earth. (Genesis 9:13)

The rainbow will appear in the sky as long as the earth remains. The rainbow is beautiful to look at. However, it is more than for our pleasure. It is the result of God's promise to Noah.

The next time you see a rainbow in the sky, marvel at its beauty and know that there is a reason it is in the sky.

Rainbow Around God's Throne

When we see the rainbow in the sky, we see only half of the rainbow in the shape of an arc. However, the rainbow around God's throne is a complete circle. When we see a rainbow in the sky, it does not move; it remains stationary. However, the rainbow encircles God's throne

. . . there was a rainbow circling round the throne, like an emerald to look at. (Revelation 4:3)

• The rainbow we will see in heaven will be different from the rainbow we see on earth.
• The rainbow around God's throne is a complete circle. We see only an arc.
• The rainbow around God's throne will circle God's throne instead of standing still.
• The rainbow around God's throne is like an emerald, rather than the many colors we see in the rainbow in the sky.

Colors of the Rainbow: ROY G BIV

Can you name the colors of the rainbow in the proper order? Most people can't. When I was taking Home Economics in the ninth grade, I was taught that the colors of the rainbow in order spell ROY G BIV. In other words, the colors are Red, Orange, Yellow, Green, Blue, Indigo, and Violet in that order.

A rainbow may have many more colors than the seven listed above. However, with the human eye, the seven are the only ones the eye can detect.

Science of the Rainbow in the Sky

The rainbow in the sky appears after rain and is caused by the reflection of light in water droplets that take the form of a multicolored circular arc.

Rainbows can be full circles, even though people usually see only an arc.

The rainbow always shows up with the same primary colors in the same order, starting with red on the outside and violet on the inside.

No one can ever reach the end of the rainbow. Observers are probably so busy looking at a rainbow that they don't notice that the sun is always behind them whenever they see a rainbow.

Double Rainbow

Many people believe that they will be blessed if they see a rainbow after it rains. They are confident they will receive extra blessings if they see a double rainbow, which is not seen as frequently as a regular rainbow.

A double rainbow has a second arc. That second arc is seen outside the primary arc with the colors in the reverse order. This is caused by light being reflected twice within the droplet before exiting it.

Questions

1. Have you ever seen a rainbow in the sky?
2. Have you ever seen a double rainbow in the sky?
3. Do you believe you are blessed by seeing a rainbow in the sky?