God Evaluated the World
The condition of Mankind
“What is Noah doing?” the people asked in mocking voices.
Only Noah knew that a great flood was coming to destroy the earth. He was building a huge boat. He tried to warn the people, but they would not believe him. The sky was clear, and they wanted to enjoy themselves.
In the beginning God created the earth beautiful and perfect, filled with plants and animals. Then He created a man and a woman, to share life and beauty.
The man and woman did not show respect for the God who created them. He gave them instructions, explaining how they could live happily and please Him, but they failed to obey Him. This brought sin into human life. After that, as children were born and people began to fill the earth, they all fell short of doing that which was pleasing to God. Sin came into control within the hearts of men.
God had created people, the best of all creation, so of course He watched them at all times and knew exactly what they were doing and thinking. He knew in those days that the people had forgotten Him and were living continually separated from Him, in sin.
God saw how great man’s wickedness on the earth had become, and that every inclination of the thoughts of his heart was only evil all the time.
God saw that people were corrupt
This means that they were devious, or dishonest, vile, pernicious. It means that the normal purposes of life had been ruined. Many were perverted, or using their minds and bodies in unnatural ways. They thought of physical pleasures, food, drink, big parties, and celebrations. They felt no need for God and had no reverence or respect for Him. They cared nothing about His pleasure nor His will for their lives.
God saw that people were violent
This means that they were unkind and thoughtless toward one another. They fought against one another, were crude and cruel and selfish. They used the bodies God had given them to harm other people, and forgot that their strength and abilities were to be used to nourish the earth and bring glory to the Creator.
For You to Do
Match the questions with the correct definition.
1 God saw that people were corrupt
2 God saw that people were
a. This means that they used their strength to against one another.
b. This means that they used their bodies and minds in and dishonest ways.