Genesis 6:6
Memory Verse
And the LORD consoled Himself that He made man upon the earth, and He was grieved in His heart (Genesis 6:6).
Man’s wickedness is not ignored by God. In the first world before the flood, the wickedness of man was so bad that every formation of the thoughts of his heart sought to do wrong and reject good. Although some translations use “regret” or “repent”, נחם (niḥēm) means to console from sorrow or compassion. God did not feel remorse or disappointment, nor did He change His mind about creating humans; their evil brought Him sorrow.
Although the wickedness of men today is great, it pales in comparison to what it was like before the flood. However, even today God’s wrath is upon all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who suppress the truth in unrighteousness (Romans 1:18). This is not fire and brimstone, nor destruction from heaven, for God has chosen not to show them mercy. God has displayed to humans what will happen as a result of their unthankfulness and wicked ways, through the flood and also the destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah. Not only will those who practice evil face death for their works, but also those who approve of their actions (Romans 1:32). In their unthankful, wicked hearts, God turns them over to the strong desires of their hearts to dishonor their bodies and fill up to the full their judgment (Romans 1:24).
Because of man’s wickedness before the flood, God decided to destroy them from the face of the earth. The corruption caused by the willingness of men and the demons affected both humans and beasts, creeping things, and birds of the air. Therefore, God expresses His intent to destroy them from the face of the earth (Genesis 6:7).