How far back does sexual immorality and profanity go in human history?
Sexual immorality and profanity extend back to the earliest biblical generations, as far back as Ishmael and Esau. Hebrews 12:16 cites Esau as a fornicator and profane person who sold his birthright for one morsel of food. Ancient pagans also exhibited gross sexual wickedness, confirming it has always been present.
Les teaches that sexual immorality and profanity are not modern inventions but have been present since ancient times. He points to the pagans in Corinth and the Mediterranean, where Paul confronted gross sexual wickedness that was evident all the way back. Les notes it has always been that way, going as far back as Ishmael and Esau. In Hebrews 12:16, Esau is described as a fornicator and profane person who sold his birthright for one morsel of food. Les says the two go hand-in-hand: when someone is immoral, he is profane for all practical purposes. He considers this the most crucial shortcoming of the human race, and he observes it exploding in the 1990s.