How does Genesis 6:5 illustrate the depth of human wickedness before the Flood? The Verse in Focus “Then the LORD saw that the wickedness of man was great upon the earth, and that every inclination of the thoughts of his heart was altogether evil all the time.” — Genesis 6:5 Key Phrases That Reveal the Depth of Sin • “the LORD saw” – God’s assessment is authoritative and exhaustive, leaving no hidden corner of human life unexamined. • “wickedness of man was great” – Not a pocket of rebellion but a pervasive, society-wide reality. • “every inclination” – No neutral or morally mixed motives; the corruption touches the root of human intention. • “thoughts of his heart” – Sin begins internally, long before outward actions show it. • “altogether evil all the time” – A relentless, uninterrupted pattern; moments of righteousness are absent. What “Every Inclination” Implies • Total Depravity: Humanity’s moral compass is not merely off-course but fundamentally broken. • Corporate Corruption: Individual sin merges into a collective culture of evil, amplifying its impact. • Unceasing Rebellion: Sin is not an occasional lapse; it is the habitual posture of the pre-Flood world. Why This Matters for Understanding the Flood • Divine Justice: A cataclysmic judgment corresponds to a cataclysmic depth of evil. • Necessity of Cleansing: Only a worldwide flood could reset a world so thoroughly defiled. • Foreshadowing Redemption: By highlighting humanity’s inability to self-reform, the verse prepares the stage for God’s future redemptive interventions. Connecting to Today • Self-Examination: Our own thoughts require the same divine scrutiny, reminding us that external respectability can mask internal rebellion. • Need for Grace: The verse underscores that genuine transformation must come from God, not human effort alone. • Hope in Judgment and Mercy: God’s willingness to judge evil assures ultimate justice, while His provision of salvation (seen later in Noah’s Ark) points to deliverance available to all who trust Him. |
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