In Genesis 6:6, we encounter a profound and somewhat perplexing statement: "The Lord regretted that he had made human beings on the earth, and his heart was deeply troubled." This verse raises significant theological questions about the nature of God, His omniscience, and His relationship with humanity. To understand why God expressed regret, we must delve into the context of this passage, the nature of divine regret, and the broader narrative of God's redemptive plan.
Firstly, it is essential to understand the context in which this verse appears. Genesis 6 describes a world that has become thoroughly corrupt and violent. Verses 5-7 provide a grim picture: "The Lord saw how great the wickedness of the human race had become on the earth, and that every inclination of the thoughts of the human heart was only evil all the time. The Lord regretted that he had made human beings on the earth, and his heart was deeply troubled. So the Lord said, 'I will wipe from the face of the earth the human race I have created—and with them the animals, the birds and the creatures that move along the ground—for I regret that I have made them.'"
The language of regret here is anthropopathic, meaning it attributes human emotions to God to help us understand His actions and character. This does not imply that God is capricious or that He makes mistakes like humans do. Rather, it communicates the depth of God's sorrow over the state of humanity. The Hebrew word translated as "regretted" is "נָחַם" (nacham), which can also mean "to be grieved" or "to be pained." Thus, God's regret is not an admission of error but an expression of profound grief over the moral decay and pervasive wickedness that had overtaken His creation.
To comprehend why God would feel such regret, we must consider the nature of sin and its impact on creation. When God created humanity, He declared it "very good" (Genesis 1:31). Humans were made in the image of God, endowed with the capacity for relationship, creativity, and moral choice. However, with the fall of Adam and Eve in Genesis 3, sin entered the world, bringing with it death, suffering, and estrangement from God. By Genesis 6, this sin had multiplied and intensified to the point where "every inclination of the thoughts of the human heart was only evil all the time." The world had become a place of violence and corruption, far removed from the harmonious creation God had intended.
God's regret, therefore, reflects His righteous response to the pervasive evil that had corrupted His good creation. It is a testament to His holiness and justice. God is not indifferent to sin; He is deeply grieved by it. This grief is not a sign of weakness but of His profound love and moral perfection. As the prophet Habakkuk later declares, "Your eyes are too pure to look on evil; you cannot tolerate wrongdoing" (Habakkuk 1:13).
Furthermore, God's expression of regret in Genesis 6:6 must be understood within the broader narrative of Scripture. The Bible reveals a God who is both just and merciful, who judges sin but also provides a means of redemption. In the case of Genesis 6, God's response to the wickedness of humanity is to bring about the flood, a cataclysmic judgment that purges the earth of its corruption. Yet, even in this act of judgment, there is mercy. God spares Noah and his family, establishing a covenant with them and promising never to destroy the earth with a flood again (Genesis 9:11).
This pattern of judgment and mercy is a recurring theme throughout the Bible. In the New Testament, we see the ultimate expression of God's response to sin in the person of Jesus Christ. In Christ, God takes upon Himself the penalty for human sin, offering forgiveness and reconciliation to all who believe. The cross is both a demonstration of God's justice—sin is judged—and His mercy—sinners are saved. As the Apostle Paul writes, "God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us" (Romans 5:8).
Thus, God's regret in Genesis 6:6 can be seen as part of His larger redemptive plan. It underscores the seriousness of sin and the depth of God's sorrow over the brokenness of His creation. But it also points forward to the hope of redemption, a hope that finds its fulfillment in Jesus Christ.
In addition to the biblical narrative, Christian literature has often grappled with the concept of divine regret. For instance, C.S. Lewis, in his book "The Problem of Pain," discusses the idea of God's sorrow over human sin. Lewis argues that God's love is not a pampering love but a perfecting love. God's grief over sin is a reflection of His desire for humanity to be restored to its original goodness. Similarly, theologian A.W. Tozer, in "The Knowledge of the Holy," emphasizes that God's emotions are not like human emotions, subject to change and caprice. Instead, they are consistent with His holy and unchanging nature.
In conclusion, God's regret in Genesis 6:6 is a profound expression of His grief over the pervasive wickedness that had corrupted His good creation. It reflects His holiness, justice, and deep love for humanity. While it may be difficult for us to fully comprehend the nature of divine regret, it serves as a powerful reminder of the seriousness of sin and the depth of God's redemptive love. In the broader narrative of Scripture, this moment of divine sorrow points forward to the hope of redemption, ultimately fulfilled in Jesus Christ. Through Christ, we see the full extent of God's response to sin—a response that encompasses both judgment and mercy, grief and grace.
