Observations as I follow God through the Chronological Bible

Genesis 6:5-8

Grief had broken God’s heart when he announced “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.” His declaration is mind-boggling. The destruction of the entire human race, except for one man! If we lose sight of the factors that brought God to this decision, he appears to be a genocidal maniac.

First, God created us. Therefore, he is responsible for the pain we inflict on each other. Having the power to stop injustice but never acting to rectify the problem would be a greater injustice than destroying people who are destroying each other.

Second, God wasn’t angry. He was sad. He is not willing that anyone would perish. Should we assume God threw everyone who died in the flood in Hell when sin is not imputed where there is no law?

“To be sure, sin was in the world before the law was given, but sin is not charged against anyone’s account where there is no law. Nevertheless, death reigned from the time of Adam to the time of Moses, even over those who did not sin by breaking a command as did Adam…” (Romans 5:13-14)

Yes, sin was in the world, before God gave us his law, but God was not holding their sins against them when he flooded the earth. He had a moral obligation to stop the violence. Those who died in the flood received the wages of sin, which is the death of our flesh bodies, because Adam sinned.[1] They received the wages of sin before they stood before a God who was not holding their sins against them. So don’t be quick to assume God threw them all in Hell.

Finally, God did not extinguish the human race. He started over with the one man who “walked faithfully with God.”[2] It appears Noah was the only one thankful for the gift of life who thought remembering God is a good idea, so God remembered him. He protected Noah and his family in an ark while he washed away the violence and let humanity try again.

[1] Romans 6:23

[2] Genesis 6:9