Bible Question:

Having known from the beginning that His created humans would be “very good” (Genesis 1:31), the eternal and all-knowing God ALSO knew that He would REGRET creating humans and DESTROY them (Genesis 6:6-9)!! What is the point of creating something you know you will later regret creating?

Bible Answer:

Why did God create man when He would regret it later? This question occurs because Genesis 6:5-6 says God was sorry He made man.

Then the LORD saw that the wickedness of man was great on the earth, and that every intent of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually. The LORD was sorry that He had made man on the earth, and He was grieved in His heart. Genesis 6:5-6 (NASB)

What follows answers the question.

Why did God create man when He would regret it later?

Why Did God Create Man?

The answer is illustrated in everyday life. Picture a young couple sometime after the wedding deciding to have a baby. They may talk with their parents or read books about raising children. Some may recall what it was like growing up with their parents and talking with older parents. Many couples really think it through. Others make a quick decision. But regardless of the thought process, most couples eventually desire to have a baby. When the baby is born, they are excited. They may pass out cigars, candy or whatever in celebration. They think their baby is the best baby ever born.

Most young parents make this decision knowing that tough years are ahead when their cute baby girl or boy becomes a teenager. They heard their parents talk about the tough times. They have read the books, heard speakers, and experienced it themselves. But they still decide to have children anyway. The years go by – the teenage years arrive and eventually it happens. It is a quick moment in time – a fleeting moment. Almost every parent has experienced it – a momentary wish they had never given birth to that child. They knew the heartache would come, but the pain is worse than they expected.

It Was Very Good

That is similar to what God may have experienced. But it was different with God in that He completely knew what would happen, including the heart pain He would suffer. Since God knows all things, His statement in Genesis 1:31 is true.

And God saw all that He had made, and behold, it was very good. And there was evening and there was morning, the sixth day. Genesis 1:31 (NASB)

What He created at that point in time was wonderful. It was pure, holy and perfect.

The LORD Was Grieved

But later as mankind displayed their evil, our holy God still experienced grief when they sinned – sin that He knew would come. It is a mistake to assume that God is cold and without emotion. When parents “let-go” and allow their teenagers to have their “freedom,” they still experience real pain even though they knew their child might make some mistakes. It is a mature parent who allows his child to go ahead and make mistakes, but it still hurts. That is what happened in Genesis 6:5-6,

Then the LORD saw that the wickedness of man was great on the earth, and that every intent of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually. The LORD was sorry that He had made man on the earth, and He was grieved in His heart. Genesis 6:5-6 (NASB)

As a result of man’s sin He caused the world to be covered with water and killed all the wicked people, saving only Noah and his righteous family. He rescued the human race from becoming completely wicked.

Why Did God Create Man When He Would Regret It Later?

The answer to the question, “Why did God create man when He would regret it later?” is that God looked beyond man’s sin and rebellion and to the future. 1 John 1:3 suggests that God created us for fellowship. But Isaiah 43:7 clearly states that God created man for His own glory.

Even every one that is called by my name: for I have created him for my glory, I have formed him; yea, I have made him. Isaiah 43:7 (NASB)

This suggests that God looked beyond the pain that He would experience to the goal. Therefore, God created us and gave us the choice to go our own way – “to do our own thing.” We sinned and as a good parent, the Father sent Jesus Christ to die in our place so that God could forgive our sins and still be true to His holy character when He did not send to eternal punishment those who accept His gift of salvation.

Conclusion:

Now God is looking for his “rebellious young adults” to come back and say, “I need help. Will you forgive me, Daddy?”

For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life . . . He who believes in Him is not judged; he who does not believe has been judged already, because he has not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God. John 3:16, 18 (NASB)

If you desire a relationship with God, visit “Searching for God.”

Suggested Links:

Creation and Fall of Man
Why did God’s perfect man sin and bring death and sin upon the creation?
Why did God create man?
Searching for God — In Search of God — Go To Heaven