The Midrash of Philo delves into this very question, picking apart the scripture and searching for deeper meaning. One passage in particular focuses on a specific verse from Genesis: "All flesh had corrupted his way upon the earth" (Genesis 6:12). Pretty bleak, right?
But what does it mean?
Philo, the 1st-century Jewish philosopher who lived in Alexandria, Egypt, offers a compelling interpretation. He points to Moses himself, the ultimate lawgiver, as providing the key. Moses, in describing the state of the world, highlights the rise of iniquity due to the corruption of the earth.
Think about that for a moment. Iniquity… it's a strong word, suggesting not just wrongdoing, but a deep-seated moral sickness. And according to Philo, the cure for iniquity is righteousness. Not just in one place, or among one group of people, but everywhere. As Philo puts it, "both in all the parts of the world, in heaven, that is, and earth, and among men."
So, the corruption wasn't just about isolated bad deeds. It was a pervasive, all-encompassing decay that infected everything. Heaven, earth, and humanity itself. The phrase "All flesh had corrupted his way" wasn't simply a description of actions; it was a diagnosis of a cosmic disease.
But what exactly was corrupted? What was this “way” that flesh had deviated from? Was it a turning away from divine teachings, from natural harmony, from compassion and empathy? Perhaps the answer, like the flood itself, is vast and multifaceted.
It leaves you wondering, doesn’t it? If such a sweeping act of destruction was deemed necessary then, what does it say about our own world today? Are we, in our own way, corrupting our path? And if so, what can we do to steer ourselves back towards righteousness? The questions are ancient, and yet, they feel incredibly relevant.