Sab - " You speak as if you have experience after experience of "God swooping in right before we blew it too much." History dictates that when we mess up the repercussions are not witheld in any manner."
In the context of sinning against Jehovah, yes. In every instance, he could have done more damage. In the case of Adam and Eve, he could have sentenced them to death instantly. However, his love for mankind moved him to spare them for a great period of time so that mankind could continue on.
He could have completely wiped out the Jews, but he did not. He allowed some to survive, the ones that heeded the warnings. I don't view that as Monster of a God, I see that as giving you more chances at survival than you deserve.
People tend to see how bad God was/is; however, how many work to see the flip side of the coin.... his patience? Instead of finding fault with how you percieve him as being a bad guy, how about seeing the good side of Him? Do you think your parents were the worst people on the planet because they spanked you as a little boy? Or do think they were trying to give you some guidence through corrective actions?
