What good is that bow?
The first Sunday in Lent and the Lectionary thinks our Old Testament lesson should come from Genesis. Why would the good people who put the Lectionary together think Genesis went with Lent?
My first few encounters with this text in this context left me baffled. Thanks to the good offices of the Rev. Dr. Scott Sharman I got some new insights into the passage and the story of Noah. Three years ago, I was challenged to think about what it meant for God to put a “bow” into the sky, not a rainbow, but a bow.
When I remember the purpose of a bow is to kill things–enemies or food–God’s placement of the bow begins to make more sense. The sermon you are about to listen to expands on this theme and I hope it is of use to you. The good thing about this new understanding is that it does no damage to all the other meanings behind the rainbow; it still symbolizes the Covenant covering all things, etc.
As always, please feel free to let me know what you think about this different way of thinking about the Noah story, especially at the beginning of Lent. I hasten to add that Scott is not responsible in any way for any errors I make in this (or any other) sermon.
Blessings,
A completely new thought about the rainbow. Thank you Barry. I do listen every week and appreciate your sermons very much even although I don'[t comment very often.