The Depth of Human Wickedness and God’s Response
Genesis 6:5–7 (NASB95)
5Then 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. 6The Lord was sorry that He had made man on the earth, and He was grieved in His heart. 7The Lord said, “I will blot out man whom I have created from the face of the land, from man to animals to creeping things and to birds of the sky; for I am sorry that I have made them.”
The story of humanity’s moral decline reaches a critical point as God observes the full extent of human wickedness. Every thought and intention of the human heart is described as continuously evil. This total corruption marks a tragic reversal from the original creation, where God saw everything as very good. The events described earlier, where the “sons of God” took the “daughters of men” as wives, set the stage for this pervasive evil. These unnatural unions contributed to a deepening moral decay that now defines humanity.
God’s response is deeply personal and emotional. The text says God regretted making humanity and was deeply grieved in His heart. This grief is not distant or detached; it reveals a God who is passionately involved with His creation and sorrowful over its corruption. The pain God feels parallels the suffering humans experience because of sin, showing a profound connection between Creator and creation.
Because of this overwhelming wickedness, God decides to wipe humanity and all living creatures from the earth. This judgment is just and necessary to restore order and righteousness. The language echoes the creation account, highlighting that what God once declared very good is now undone by sin. The flood judgment is a radical act to cleanse the earth and make way for renewal.
The connection between these verses and the previous ones is clear. The moral decline that began with the unions of the “sons of God” and “daughters of men” leads directly to the divine grief and judgment. This cause-and-effect relationship illustrates how spiritual rebellion and human rebellion lead to God’s just response.
The church must recognize the seriousness of sin and its consequences. God’s grief over humanity’s corruption reminds us that sin breaks our relationship with Him and causes real pain. Yet, God’s judgment is not arbitrary; it aims to restore and renew. The church is called to live holy lives, aligned with God’s purposes, and to warn against the destructive power of sin. At the same time, we must hold fast to the hope of God’s mercy and restoration through Jesus Christ. Our mission is to be faithful vessels of mercy, inviting others into a life that walks with God and reflects His goodness.