Noah and the Father’s Love

Genesis 6:5-7:24


The reading for today is about Noah and the great flood --- a familiar story for many of us.  As I read this story I kept coming back to Genesis 6:5-8.  These verses describe mankind’s “wickedness on the earth” and God’s response.  Verse 6 especially got my attention, stating “The Lord was grieved that he had made man on the earth, and his heart was filled with pain.”  This is from the NIV translation.  Other translations say God was sorry or regretted that he had made man and that his heart was grieved and even broken.  My study bible has a note that says “Man’s sin is God’s sorrow” and directs you to Ephesians 4:30 where Paul directs us not to “grieve the Holy Spirit of God”.  


It is amazing to me that Almighty God can be pained or sorrowful because of our sinful behavior and disobedience.  But that seems to be the case in this story.  And yet, when I consider God as a loving Father who sacrificed His Son for our redemption, why am I surprised?  Just as obedience shows our love for God, disobedience (sin) grieves his heart. 


Over the past several weeks we have been singing a song at church that seems to give a good summary to these thoughts.  I have included a link below.  Please take a moment to listen closely to the lyrics, especially the second verse, and give thanks that we have a Father that loves us “beyond all measure”.


“How Deep the Father’s Love for Us"