That’s the kind of divine regret we find hinted at in Genesis 6:7, when God says, "I am indignant that I made them."
Now, hold on. Does that sound right? God, feeling indignant? Isn't God supposed to be beyond all that?
That’s precisely the question that the Midrash of Philo wrestles with. Philo, a Jewish philosopher living in Alexandria around the time of Jesus, dove deep into the Torah, trying to understand its deeper meaning. And in this particular midrash – a kind of interpretive commentary – he grapples with this very human-sounding statement from an utterly divine being.
Philo points out that Moses, in writing these words, is almost speaking as if he’s describing the actions of a great mortal leader. But God isn't a mortal leader. God doesn't get angry in the same way we do. As Philo puts it, God is "exempt from, and superior to, all such perturbations of spirit." So what’s going on here?
The Midrash suggests that Moses uses this "extravagant form of expression" to show just how unbelievably awful humanity had become. Their wickedness had reached such a peak that it was as if even God, who is by nature incapable of anger, was being stirred to rage. It’s a powerful image, isn’t it? A way to convey the sheer magnitude of human corruption.
But there's more. Philo also offers another layer of understanding. He suggests that this passage is a warning, couched "in a figure." Foolish actions, he says, deserve punishment. Actions born of wisdom and careful consideration, on the other hand, are worthy of praise. In other words, our choices matter. They have consequences, and those consequences can even, figuratively speaking, "anger" the divine.
So, what does this all mean for us? Perhaps it's a reminder that even though we’re imperfect, our actions still resonate. We have the power to create good or, heaven forbid, to contribute to a world so far gone that it might even provoke divine regret. It’s a sobering thought, but also a call to choose wisely, to act with intention, and to strive to be better. Because even though God doesn't get angry the way we do, the consequences of our choices are very, very real.