Irony of the Rainbow

Photo credit: Michael S. Williamson/ The New York Post

In Genesis 6, God became so angry with mankind’s wickedness and rebellion that he decided to destroy life on Earth. Fortunately for us, one man and his family found favor in God’s eyes.

Genesis 6:5-10 (NKJV)

“Then the LORD saw that the wickedness of man was great on the earth, and that every intent of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually. And the LORD was sorry that He had made man on the earth, and He was grieved in His heart. So the LORD said, ‘I will destroy man whom I have created from the face of the earth, both man and beast, creeping thing and birds of the air, for I am sorry that I have made them.’ But Noah found grace in the eyes of the LORD.”

Fast forward to chapter 9 when the flood waters subside and God places a rainbow in the sky as a sign that He will never again destroy the Earth with water.  The rainbow became a majestic symbol of God’s power, grace, and decision to spare mankind who deserved complete eradication.

Fast forward to June 26, 2015, a day that I’m afraid will forever change the political landscape of our country and have lasting negative implications. On this day, SCOTUS made a decision on same-sex marriage, and rainbow flags emphatically waved throughout the country.  Social media sites were flooded with the rainbow, and even the White House was lit up in color.  (Side note: even if you support same-sex marriage, surely you agree that the President’s decision to rainbow the White House was, at best, distasteful.)

The rainbow, which is a symbol of God’s mercy on His creation, has been stolen and abused by people who glorify sin and make a mockery of God’s word. Isn’t it ironic? Just like in Genesis 6, it seems man’s thoughts are once again continually evil.  He arrogantly parades around, ignorantly carrying a representation of the rainbow that marked the end of God’s wrath on a wicked world, a world that no doubt embraced homosexuality. 

God has defined marriage as being between one man and one woman (Gen. 2:24), and He has condemned homosexuality (Romans 1:26-27); however, the concern shouldn’t be with homosexuality only. Homosexuality is nothing new, and it will be around until the end of this earth. We should be more concerned with the fact that our nation seems to accept and embrace sin as a whole more and more each day.  Romans 1 places sins like gossip, disobedience to parents, hate, boasting, arrogance, greed, and lack of understanding in the same group as homosexuality – things that are worthy of death. It not only condemns people who do these things but also the people who approve of those who are doing them.  Christians should never show hate towards anyone, but we cannot approve of the sin surrounding us. The legalization of same-sex marriage is merely a symptom of a sick nation that wants less of God and more of sin.  It is our duty to live as lights in a dark world (Ephesians 5:8).  Love does indeed win - the love of Christ, not the love of sin. 

Isaiah 30:1 (NKJV)

“ ‘Woe to the rebellious children,’ says the LORD, ‘Who take counsel, but not of Me, and who devise plans, but not of My Spirit, that they may add sin to sin;’”

Doesn’t this verse remind you of our current government and the latest decision from SCOTUS, in particular?  A concept already decided by God was left in the hands of nine lawyers, five of whom caved in to godless pressure. They took counsel and devised a plan not after God’s Spirit but after the spirit of sin.  A law already defined by God cannot be redefined by man, no matter what man and its government decide.

Isaiah 24:5-6 (NASB)

“The earth is also polluted by its inhabitants, for they transgressed the laws, violated statutes, broke the everlasting covenant. Therefore, a curse devours the earth, and those who live in it are held guilty. Therefore, the inhabitants of the earth are burned, and few men are left.”

No matter how bad this country and world get, I’m thankful that God is patient toward us and doesn’t want any of us to be lost (II Peter 3:9). I’m thankful that He offers a way of repentance and forgiveness. I hope that you’ll take His offer of salvation before it’s too late, just as it was too late for those who were swept away in the flood.

I Peter 3:20-21 (NASB)

“who once were disobedient, when the patience of God kept waiting in the days of Noah, during the construction of the ark, in which a few, that is, eight persons, were brought safely through the water. Corresponding to that, baptism now saves you – not the removal of dirt from the flesh, but an appeal to God for a good conscience – through the resurrection of Jesus Christ.”