Centuries ago there lived upon this earth a generation of people so wicked and vile that the God of Israel turned his face away in shame and chagrin, but as a manifestation of his great love for these people, he sent them a great counselor and prophet. His name was Noah. Noah stood at the crossroads and admonished, pleaded with, and counseled the people to take the path of righteousness and virtue, but exercising their free agency, they chose the path of wickedness and debauchery. A great flood swept over the earth, and they were swept from the face of it, and the God of Israel looked down upon a cleansed earth.