rookaponz,
I like what you said about children growing up and later realizing that the seemingly arbitrary punishment from the parents was motivated by their love for the child and a desire that he be ok. I have often thought that the Bible was written that way, too. Early on you see the relationship between God and Man as dictatorial and punitive like a child would view its parents, giving way to total pardon, forgiveness and love as the relationship comes of age with Jesus.

The second part of your post was like the beginning of Paul's thesis on Grace in Romans. He goes on to say that not only are we like spoiled children, but we are incapable of living up to any Godly notions of perfection. So God's only choice is to change the rules. And change it he does from Law (Mosaic covenant), to full pardon and love (Jesus' new covenant.).

So where there was once obligation and conditional love, there is now promise, hope, and unconditional love.

If the Old Testament is viewed from the point of view of the empty cross, its easy to see that it was the loving parent all along.

You have a nice insight into the Bible rook. God is Love. Thats all we really have to know. Keep spreading the Good News.