Unchanging God

Recently while studying the New Testament for my personal study and also the Old Testament for Sunday School, I have noticed a difference with God. Which bothered me, since I have been taught that God is always the same; same as he was then as he is now. The differences I've noticed is that in the Old Testament God was much more violent and aggressive with his children. Some examples of God acting this way is: Samuel 15, when God commands all the Amalekites to be slain (including man, woman and child, even all beasts), or Acts chapter 5 when God kills a couple for not being honest about their tithing. Can you imagine God asking us to kill an entire nation of people, even children? Or killing us as we stand at the bishop's office when we know the amount isn't honest? Crazy right?

At first I didn't think too much about it because it bothered me so much. I asked myself, "So, why is it that God is so harsh and so justice oriented whereas today I feel like the God I know is much more merciful and loving?", "Did the prophets who wrote the scriptures just forget to write about that subtle, caring and forgiving side of God that I know so well?", or, "Does God really change?" I felt like a cat whose fur was being rubbed the wrong way whenever I read stories like the ones I mentioned. But I feel like I can finally give an answer to my questions, and better yet, reasons for those answers too.

First and foremost I know that God is the same today as he was yesterday, because he is perfect and perfection has no need to change. So if God didn't change what did? I think we did, the children of Israel. I think although God himself, his nature, does not change his methods of working with his children change according to what we need. I related this idea to a 6 year old and a 16 year old to my boyfriend, Jeff. Here is exactly what I said through several texts:

"I've learned that God is always the same. God of Abraham is my God as well. I understand that he does not change, but his children do change. And because we change, his methods change. Like Jacob 5 (the parable of the olive trees of the Lord's orchard), how to best nourish us. I like to think of ourselves like the "older children" of God. you wouldn't spank a 16 year old- but that doesn't mean they need less discipline than a 6 year old either. I think the Israelites of the ancient days were more like [6] year olds [and they required a stricter, firmer form of discipline in order to understand and appreciate God's will.]"

I am happy with this answer and I am no longer bothered about those stories I read about in the Old Testament. Boy, it sure feels great to find answers to questions!