5 Then the Lord saw that the wickedness of mankind was great on the earth, and that every intent of the thoughts of their hearts was only evil continually. 6 So the Lord was sorry that He had made mankind on the earth, and He was grieved in His heart. 7 Then the Lord said, “I will wipe out mankind whom I have created from the face of the land; mankind, and animals as well, and crawling things, and the birds of the sky. For I am sorry that I have made them.” 8 But Noah found favor in the eyes of the Lord.
Genesis 6:5-8 (NASB)
Man’s wickedness
Yesterday we looked at the increasing depravity and wickedness of “the sons of God” as well as who they might be. Today completes the picture with a look at mankind’s increasing depravity and wickedness. In both of these, we ask again, “Was God surprised by this”? The answer is the same, NO!
The degree and depth of wickedness is staggering:
Wickedness was pervasive – all over the earth. Just about everyone, except at least one (v8).
Every thought and intent in their hearts – doing evil was all they thought about and desired. It wasn’t just a fleeting cave to temptation, but evil had taken root in their hearts.
Was only evil – they never thought about anything else, just doing evil. This seems to indicate they were no longer “calling the name of the Lord” (Genesis 4:26).
Continually thinking and acting like this – which probably means that each individual was constantly this way but also mankind, as a whole, was like this for over hundreds of years.
God’s mistake?
Did God sin or make a mistake in creating mankind? Is that why he was sorry? Otherwise, why would He be sorry? Consider: are you ever sorry to hear about bad news, like someone’s relative died? Or maybe you gave someone an expensive gift and it ended up stolen. So the answer is unequivocally, “No! He didn’t sin or make a mistake. God cannot sin or make a mistake.”
The Lord also was grieved. That’s a very deep kind of sadness having to do with relationships. He was grieved that mankind had chosen to reject relationship with Him, their only source of forgiveness, purpose, peace, love, joy, satisfaction, etc.
This also gives us a precious peek into the personhood of God. We can see that He has emotions, as we do (we’re created in Him image) and He cares. “God is not unfeeling in the face of human sin and rebellion.” (enduringword.com)
Consequences
What are the consequences of their sin, of any sin? Destruction. In this case, The Lord, who created all, decided to wipe out all mankind. Sorry for the animals, birds and crawling things who suffered for mankind’s sin.
But Noah
Verse 8 is full of hope. “But Noah found favor in the eyes of the Lord.” Amidst all the evil, Noah shined brightly. God knew each person on the planet intimately, He knew their hearts. Noah’s heart, though not perfect, was good; he was one who called on the name of the Lord.
RЯeflection
Sin doesn’t just affect the sinner. The consequences of sin often affect others – and even nature. How is your sin affecting others?
In the midst of the terrible wickedness, there were still righteous people. I challenge us to be that person today.