The Rainbow of Promise
The Rainbow by George Innes
We have the most interesting mixture of light in this painting. In the far left, we see a very dark and foreboding formation of clouds settling over the farmhouse. But in the center of the painting, we have a sunlit field with cows having an afternoon rest. There is no hurry to get away from the storm and into the barn. They remain fixed where they stand.
The real treasure of this scene is the rainbow filling the sky on the right. The clouds on this side are fluffy and white because the sun is breaking through them at the top. Will the sun win or the storm?
Do you know that the rainbow is a sign to God and therefore it is a sign to man? After God destroyed the whole earth in a flood -- because of its wickedness -- he started over. He then established a covenant (or made a promise) with Noah that He would never again send a flood to destroy the earth. God made a sign -- the rainbow -- that would remind him of his promise to Noah. He said, "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)
So when God sees a rainbow, he is reminded that this earth is sacred and he will not harm it. The cows in this picture seem to have a sense that they are safe in their field. They belong there.
Man is the manager of this earth and must be committed to taking care of it. When we see a rainbow in the sky we should be reminded of our God. He is with us in the keeping and maintenance of it. He will not break down or destroy it but rather, he'll work with us to advance it and keep it safe for the next generation.