“Not as Cain, who was of that wicked one, and slew his brother. And wherefore slew he him? _Because his own works were evil, and his brother’s righteous._” 1 John 3:12. NOTE.—There must, therefore, have been a standard at that time by which the characters of men were weighed. That standard must have defined the difference between right and wrong, and pointed out man’s duty. But this is the province of the law of God. Hence the law of God must have existed at that time. 8. In what condition was the world before the flood? “The earth also was _corrupt before God_, and the earth was _filled with violence_.” Gen. 6:11. 9. What did God purpose to do with the people of that day? “And God said unto Noah, The end of all flesh is come before Me; for the earth is filled with violence through them; and, behold, _I will destroy them with the earth_.” Verse 13. 10. What is Noah called? “And spared not the old world, but saved Noah the eighth person, _a preacher of righteousness_.” 2 Peter 2:5. NOTE.—Noah must have warned the antediluvians against sin, and preached repentance and that obedience of faith which brings the life into harmony with the law of God. 11. Why did the Lord destroy Sodom? “The men of Sodom were _wicked_ and _sinners_ before the Lord _exceedingly_.” Gen. 13:13. 12. What was the character of their deeds? “And delivered just Lot, vexed with the filthy conversation of the wicked: (for that righteous man dwelling among them, in seeing and hearing, vexed his righteous soul from day to day with their _unlawful deeds_).” 2 Peter 2:7, 8. NOTE.—Their deeds would not have been _unlawful_ had there been no law then in existence. _Unlawful_ means “contrary to law.” 13. What did Joseph, in Egypt, say when tempted to sin? “How then can I do this great wickedness, and _sin against God_?” Gen. 39:9. 14. What did God say to Abraham concerning the Amorites? “In the fourth generation they [Israel] shall come hither again: for _the iniquity of the Amorites is not yet full_.” Gen. 15:16. 15. Of what sin were the Amorites specially guilty? “And he [Ahab] did very abominably in _following idols, according to all things as did the Amorites_, whom the Lord cast out before the children of Israel.” 1 Kings 21:26. 16. Why did the Lord abhor the Canaanites? “Ye shall therefore keep all My statutes, and all My judgments, and do them: that the land, whither I bring you to dwell therein, spew you not out. And ye shall not walk in the manners of the nation, which I cast out before you: _for they committed all these things_, and therefore I abhorred them.” Lev. 20:22, 23. NOTE.—The statement that “they committed all these things” refers to what had been previously forbidden to the Israelites. Among these things was idolatrous worship (Lev. 20:1-5), showing that the Gentiles, as well as the Jews, were amenable to the law of God, and were abhorred of God for violating it.