Signs of the times
God doesn't change. Nor does human nature. When His priests and leaders rebelled against Him in Old Testament days, their capricious human inclination reigned in the land. People who failed to serve their interests became worthless, and those who hindered their ambitions were simply discarded or killed.
"All those who hate me love death." Proverbs 8:36
"And this is the condemnation, that the light has come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil. For everyone practicing evil hates the light and does not come to the light, lest his deeds should be exposed. But he who does the truth comes to the light, that his deeds may be clearly seen, that they have been done in God." John 3:19-22
"Cast away from you all the transgressions which you have committed, and get yourselves a new heart and a new spirit.... For I have no pleasure in the death of one who dies," says the Lord God. "Therefore turn and live!" Ezekiel 18:31-32