“For this is as the waters of Noah unto me: for as I have sworn that the waters of Noah should no more go over the earth; so have I sworn that I would not be wroth with thee, nor rebuke thee” (Isaiah 54:9).

The words of our text were written at least 1600 years after the great flood went over the whole Earth, yet it was still remembered as a unique event in history. Furthermore, another 2700 years have passed since Isaiah’s time, yet God is still keeping His covenant with Noah; waters have never again gone over all the earth.

The Noahic covenant was unconditional—God’s promise to Noah in reward for his own unique obedience to God before the flood. Another judgment is coming, however, as the next verse warns. “For the mountains shall depart, and the hills be removed; but my kindness shall not depart from thee, neither shall the covenant of my peace be removed, saith the LORD that hath mercy on thee” (v.10). A great Earth-shaking judgment is coming, but there is also another covenant, no less sure and unconditional than that of Noah.

In context, the covenant of which God spoke was with the children of Israel. “In a little wrath I hid my face from thee for a moment; but with everlasting kindness will I have mercy on thee, saith the LORD thy Redeemer” (v.8). This “Redeemer” is “the Holy One of Israel; The God of the whole earth shall He be called” (v.5).

The Redeemer of Israel is thus also the God of the whole Earth, and there is also a wonderful covenant He has made with all who appropriate His great work of redemption. “This is the covenant that I will make with them after those days, saith the Lord, I will put my laws into their hearts, and in their minds will I write them; And their sins and iniquities will I remember no more” (Hebrews 10:16,17). HMM