In the last year I have had to learn to manage my already tight schedule more effectively. I never used to keep a calendar. For most of my life I could just remember dates, times, and events accurately. Well, obviously that changed. I started to use my Apple calendar. Still, I could not believe how long it took me to develop the habit of looking at the calendar daily. What helped me? I set alerts to remind me. When the reminder appeared on the screen, I was reminded of what I had previously agreed to, and then I fulfilled my appointment. 

In the Torah portion called Noach, or Noah, after the flood, as the Lord is making covenant with Noah, He sets a reminder. As we read:

“And God said, “This is the sign of the covenant that I make between me and you and every living creature that is with you, for all future generations: I have set my bow in the cloud, and it shall be a sign of the covenant between me and the earth” (Gen. 9:12-13). 

To what end:

“When I bring clouds over the earth and the bow is seen in the clouds, I will remember my covenant that is between me and you and every living creature of all flesh. And the waters shall never again become a flood to destroy all flesh” (Gen. 9:14-15).

The Bible is full of reminders. In many cases, the reminders are there for man. Reminders are placed on the doorposts of homes, upon clothing, and affixed to the body. Much like a calendar of days, these reminders keep us attentive to times, seasons, and faithful living unto the Lord. Yet, something the Lord said stands out: “I will remember my covenant.” This is not an unusual phrase in the Bible, but what does the Lord mean by it? 

Does the sovereign, omniscient Lord need a reminder? Simply: of course not! Yet we do. So why does the Lord speak in this manner? Some rabbinic opinion (Rabbi Sa’adya Gaon and Rabbi Elijah Mizrahi as examples) posit that the Lord remembering refers to salvation, just as the Lord “remembered Rachel” (Gen. 30:22). Still, the Torah uses the language of man. When we read of the Lord remembering, it is not that He has forgotten, heaven forbid, but rather an idiom indicating that He is acting upon a previous event or promise. As we read in Leviticus 26:45, “But I will for their sake remember the covenant with their forefathers, whom I brought out of the land of Egypt in the sight of the nations, that I might be their God: I am the Lord.” When the rains come, even as devastatingly power as they can be, “the waters shall never again become a flood to destroy all flesh” (Gen. 9:15). 

There is a blessing in Judaism spoken when one sees a rainbow: 

בָּרוּךְ אַתָּה ה’ אֶלוֹהֵינוּ מֶלֶךְ הָעוֹלָם זוֹכֵר הַבְּרִית וְנֶאֱמָן בִּבְרִיתוֹ וְקַיָם בְּמַאֲמָרוֹ

“Blessed are You, Lord our God, King of the universe, who remembers the covenant, and is faithful to His covenant, and keeps His promise.”

The blessing blesses the Lord who “remembers … is faithful” … and who “keeps His promise.” As it is recited, we are reminded of His covenant, of His faithfulness to His covenant and His promises. At its heart, it is a blessing of comfort, as a reminder of the faithfulness of the covenant Lord. Still, it is not only a reminder of His faithfulness, but one that reminds us to be faithful to Him as well. 

The (rain)bow was set after the flood of judgment. The waywardness of humanity was so terrible that it necessitated a judgment and a renewal. As the Torah tells us, “The Lord saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and that every intention of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually” (Gen. 6:5). 

When we turn away from the Word of God, and the promises therein, and formulate our own tradition under the guise of biblical faithfulness, then, it seems, our hearts turn away from Him, as Messiah Yeshua/Jesus taught, “But what comes out of the mouth proceeds from the heart, and this defiles a person. For out of the heart come evil thoughts, murder, adultery, sexual immorality, theft, false witness, slander. These are what defile a person. But to eat with unwashed hands does not defile anyone” (Matt. 15:18-20). Said differently, “The good person out of the good treasure of his heart produces good, and the evil person out of his evil treasure produces evil, for out of the abundance of the heart his mouth speaks” (Lk. 6:45). 

When we behold the beauty of the rainbow, let the reminder, and its blessing, be not just for the Father, but also for us. He said, He promises, He fulfills; and in our lives, let us be faithful with the help of the Holy Spirit, as we read in 1 Samuel 12:24, “Only fear the Lord and serve him faithfully with all your heart. For consider what great things he has done for you.” 

Let that inspiring sight remind you of all He has done, is doing, and will do as we continue in faith. 

Maranatha. Shalom.