Re: I sooooo don't want to do this!

You are exactly right in saying these action are of God's will and exclusive understanding! As such, anything we say (including the that of your last post) is purely speculative and should not be presented as an absolution. However, as so many things are wholly known to God it would be foolish to suggest no discussion on the matter. So despite your suggestion (meaning no disrespect); here's my take:

All the innocence of the populace discussed in your last post may be unfounded. These were times (except for Babel) where the majority of the population was totally separated from God - they were worshiping gods (as opposed to 'big G' God) and totally void of His way. They did not follow his commands (esp. Babel), heed his holiness and were completely ignorant of his authority.

God may have ordered their destruction for two reasons:
1. To fulfil his promise to Abraham.
2. To cleanse the world of evil (like with Noah, Soddom, etc.)

These weren't nice people. They were evil (like us all) but, most importantly, discommunicated from God by their sin which they refused to remove.

This, not coincidently, also relates to responsibility of societies as a whole. Like Pharoah, God is not going to hold Bush, an administration or whoever, totally accountable for a nation's actions; so neither should we; all the guilty deserve to be punished (which may includes us) and will be, unless they repent. Tweet