Midrasz do Rodzaju 6:17

Our Rabbis were taught: The generation of the flood became overbearing only on account of the wealth which the Holy One, praised be He! bestowed upon them. And what is written concerning them? (Job. 21, 9-14) Their houses are safe, without fear, neither is the rod of God upon them, and again the passage says: Their bull gendereth and faileth not; their cow calveth, and casteth not her calf. They send forth their little ones like a flock, and their children dance. They sing to the timbrel and harp, and rejoice at the sound of the pipe. They spend their days in prosperity. The verse continues, And peacefully they go down to the grave. This was caused by what they said, Depart from us and the knowledge of Thy ways we desire not, etc., i.e., they said, "The only thing for which we need the Almighty is for the drops of rain, with which He supplies us; however, we possess springs and rivers, of which we can make use." The Holy One, praised be He; then said: "With the very blessing that I bestowed upon them, do they provoke Me to anger; I will therefore punish them with he same," as it is said (Gen. 6) I will bring a flood of water, etc. R. Jose says: "The generation of the flood were exalted only on account of [the covetousness of] the eye-ball, which [in restlessness] resembles water, as it is said (Ib. ib. 2) And they took themselves wives of all whom they chose, and therefore they were punished with water, which resembles the eye-ball, as it is said (Ib. 7, 11) On the same day, were all the fountains of the great deep broken up, and the windows of heaven were opened." R. Jochanan said: "The generation of the flood became corrupt with the word rabba, and with the word rabba they were punished; i.e., with the word rabba they became corrupt as it is written (Ib. 6, 5) God saw that it was great (rabba) the wickedness of men, and they were punished with the word rabba, as it is written (Ib. 7, 11) All the fountains of the great (rabba) deep." R. Jochanan said further: "Three of the hot springs [used at the flood] remained forever, and they are, the swamps of Gadara, the hot water of Tiberius and the great spring of Biram."

(Bamidbar 18:8) "And the L-rd spoke to Aaron": I would think (the intent is) that the speaking was to Aaron; it is, therefore, written (Ibid. 17:5) "A sign for the children of Israel … as the L-rd spoke to Moses about him" (Aaron, viz., that only he and his sons are to be Cohanim), whereby we are apprised that the speaking was to Moses, to tell to Aaron. (Bamidbar, Ibid.) "And I, behold, (I have given to you") with joy, (the twenty-four priestly gifts.) These are the words of R. Yishmael — whereupon his disciples said to him: But master, it is written (Bereshit 6:17) "And I, behold, shall bring a flood of water, etc." Are we, then to assume that this was a joy to Him? He answered: When His angerers go lost from the world, it is a joy to Him. And thus is it written (Proverbs 11:10) "When the righteous prosper, the city exults, and when the wicked perish there is rejoicing." And (Psalms 3:9-10) "You have broken the teeth of the wicked. Deliverance is the L-rd's. Upon Your people are Your blessings, selah." And (Ibid. 10:16) "The L-rd is King for ever and ever. Nations have gone lost from His land." And (Ibid. 104:35) "Sinners will end from the earth, and the wicked will be no more. Bless the L-rd, O my soul, Hallelukah!" R. Nathan said to him: I will add to your words: "And I" — willingly; "behold" — with joy. And thus is it written (Shemot 4:14) "Behold, he (Aaron) is going out to meet you (Moses; and when he sees you, he will rejoice in his heart."