The olive branch, the rainbow and the covenant

“Then the dove came to him in the evening, and behold, a freshly plucked olive leaf was in her mouth; and Noah knew that the waters had receded from the earth” (Genesis 6:11). Noah sent out three doves at intervals of seven days, the first, and this second one returned with the olive leaf or brach in it's mouth. This was God's way of letting Noah know the flood was ending.  The third dove did not return.  The olive branch has become the universal symbol of peace, and the fact that it is often accompanied by a picture of a dove with an olive branch in its mouth shows this Biblical account to be the origin of the symbol. As Rabbi Menace  Schooner  explains, the olive branch teaches us that rather than placing our trust in the promises of peace from man, we should place our trust in God.  

God said: “And as for Me, behold, I establish My covenant with you.  This is the sign of the covenant promise  between Me and you, and every living creature that is with you, for perpetual generations: I set My rainbow in the cloud” (Genesis 9:9-13). Part of this covenant, is that “While the earth remains, seedtime and harvest, cold and heat, winter and summer, and day and night shall not cease” (8:22). The fact that the rhythms of life,  day and night and the seasons can be explained by the rotation of the earth and tilting on its axis, in no way denies God's design behind them. And to those who have eyes to see, the regularity of these things speak of God's faithfulness. The phrase   “while the earth remains” points to the fact that  there is an end to all things (see Matthew 24:6).

As a young Christina as I first started to realize how offensive my sin is to God, I used to wonder why He did not crush me for it,  rather like a Monty Python foot coming down from heaven.  And it has to do with His covenant. This covenant is between God and all living creatures (9:9, 10), and He promises “Never again shall all flesh be cut off by the waters of the flood; never again shall there be a flood to destroy the earth” (verse 11).  He does not promise there will not be floods, only that they will not cut “off all flesh” (all living creatures). This covenant, is clearly of the Grace (undeserved favour) of God. We see this,  because it remained and remains true that “the imagination of man's heart is evil from his youth” (8:21). There is still the final judgement (Hebrews 9:27), but in the meantime the grace and the goodness of God is designed to lead men to repentance. We need to know this in our heart of hearts. We must not take it for granted and in doing so despise the riches of His goodness, forbearance, and longsuffering (Romans 2:4).

Father, help us not to take this covenant of love for granted John 3:16). Let the symbols of Your peace,  hope, and the dawn of each new day remind us of Your faithfulness. Without You there would be neither peace, nor hope (Ephesians 2:12). ButYou give Your peace freely to all who come to You (John 14:27).  And the hope that You give is a sure hope,  it is an anchor for the soul (Hebrews6:19). For these and many other things Lord, we give You thanks and praise in Jesus Name Amen