And it shall come to pass, when I bring a cloud over the earth, that the bow shall be seen in the cloud:
Ver. 14. The bow shall be seen in the cloud.] In this heaven-bow, there are many wonders: first, the beautiful shape and various colours; in which respect Plato thinks the poets feign Iris, or the rainbow, to be the daughter of Thaumas, or admiration. The waterish colours therein signify (say some) the former overthrow of the world by water. The fiery colours, the future judgment of the world by fire. The green, that present grace of freedom from both, by virtue of God's covenant, whereof this bow is a sign. Next, the rainbow hath in it two contrary significations, viz., of rain, and fair weather; of this in the evening, of that in the morning, saith Scaliger. Add hereunto, that whereas naturally it is a sign of rain (and is therefore feigned by the poets to be the messenger of Juno, and called imbrifera, or showery), yet it is turned by God into a sure sign of dry weather, and of restraint of waters. Let us learn to look upon it, not only in the natural causes, as it is an effect of the sun in a thick cloud; but as a sacramental sign of the covenant of grace; a monument of God's both justice in drowning the world, and mercy in conserving it from the like calamity. Isa 54:9-10 The Jews have an odd conceit, a that the name Jehovah is written on the rainbow. And therefore, as oft as it appeareth unto them, they go forth of doors, hide their eyes, confess their sins (that deserved a second deluge), and celebrate God's goodness, in sparing the wicked world, and remembering his covenant. Set aside their superstition, and their practice invites our imitation. Tam Dei meminisse opus est quam respirare. b
a Maimon.
b Bern.