ייִדישער מחשבֿה אויף תהילים 34:12

The author, when discussing G-d’s answer to Job's enquiry (Job 37-38), states that the peculiarly suspended letter ayin in reference to the resha-im, the wicked, may signify that these people are not absolutely bad, are not beyond redemption. This is what has prevented G-d from producing the kind of destruction on earth that would eradicate them together with their wickedness. When G-d tells Jonah how He feels about the creatures in Nineveh; He explains His relationship to His creatures even when the latter are imperfect or corrupt due to a variety of causes (Jonah 4,11). The repeated reports of mankind's corruption at the end of Parshat Bereshit as well as at the beginning of Parshat Noach (6,5;6,6;6,11; 6,13) indicate the degree of patience G-d displayed before He felt impelled to take drastic action. Viewing the extended periods of time-- one hundred and twenty years twice-- granted man to reverse his ways, any criticism of G-d must be utterly rejected. There simply was no other way left for G-d to prove His kingship except by exercising His prerogative to impose and carry out sentence.