(1) Similarity between v.1-4 and 5-8
A. The action of mankind lead to a change of plan from God.
v.3 God's Spirit will not remain in humankind indefinitely
v.6-7 God regretted that he had made humankind (and all the creatures that were created for us).
B. Deviation from the original plan of God
v.2-3 Men chose wives for themselves and that was described as "mortal" or err.
v. 5 every inclination of the thoughts of their minds was only evil all the time. (NET) The noun יֵצֶר (yetser) is related to the verb יָצָר (yatsar, “to form, to fashion [with a design]”). Here it refers to human plans or intentions (see Gen 8:21; 1 Chr 28:9; 29:18). People had taken their God-given capacities and used them to devise evil.
(2) Repeated word: the LORD saw the wickedness of humankind v.5 and Noah found favor in the sight of the LORD v.8.
Reflection: Adam and Eve made their own choice in eating from the tree of k/g/e, now their descendants chose the wives. They devised their own evil scheme all the time. How do our error or evil affect our next generation? The judgement is world wide flooding (almost a total reverse of the creation) and we should not ignore this consequence.
God saw the inner thoughts and the outer wickedness as well as those who found favor in His sight. How shall we not fear Him? God knew the wickedness and therefore no need to feel angry over lying people.
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