Saved by God, the Story of Noah and the Great FloodSample

A hopeless situation

“The LORD saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and that every intention of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually. And the LORD regretted that He had made man on the earth, and it grieved him to his heart.” (Genesis 6:5-6)

The book of Genesis tells how God created the heavens and the earth beautifully. It describes how God filled the earth with plants, animals, and finally people. Creation was perfect. But this changed when people chose to disobey God. The consequences of their sin were horrible, both for themselves and for the children and grandchildren they would have. Since then, all people have been affected by sin.

This came to a climax in Genesis 6: “The LORD saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and that every intention of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually” (Genesis 6:5). The earth was corrupt before God; it was full of violence (Genesis 6:11). The situation was so bad that God regretted that He had made man. He is very personally involved with his creation, and its ruin “grieved him to his heart.”

These verses raise questions. God is almighty; so, why did He allow sin to enter creation? I don’t know. I only know what it says here: God sees evil and it grieves Him intensely.

Do these verses fit the image you have of God?