Gen 6:6 The LORD regretted that He had made human beings on the earth, and His heart was deeply troubled.
I am having a difficult time articulating my thoughts about this verse. It’s hard not to take it personally, hard to reconcile my fiercely loving, deeply compassionate God with this God who regrets making human beings. One commentary, which helps me somewhat, talks about how, even though He knew humans would act this way, God was deeply affected by human sin.
Gen 6:8 But Noah found favor in the eyes of the LORD.
And yet, even in the face of such wickedness and corruption, He still finds one who is faithful. Interestingly, He doesn’t put Noah on a pedestal in the eyes of the world, telling mankind to “Be like Noah.” He asks him to do something rather crazy—build a boat. Cover it with pitch. Put two of every kind of animal inside, and be saved. The same commentary mentioned that Noah’s ministry lasted 120 years, though he converted no one. And yet, God used him in a mighty way, and Noah remained faithful.
Gen 6:22 Thus Noah did; according to all that God commanded him, so he did. (NKJV)
Lord, Thank You for this day, for this scripture, for this illuminating look at Your word. Thank You for giving me eyes and a heart to see things I’ve never noticed before. Help me to respond to You like Noah, Lord, obeying without question, no matter how crazy it seems in the world’s eyes. Draw me closer. Help me to shine Your light. Amen.
Gen 6:22 Noah did everything just as God commanded him. (NIV)
Have a blessed day. I love you.
As I am reading Genesis, I am also reading commentary from enduringword.com. It has been incredibly enlightening about things I don’t know or understand about the text.