Genocide in the Old Testament

[John V]

Why would you? Now that's a question.

You see to me it wouldn't make a jot of difference as I don't believe in either of them but if you are a believer then an eternity in heaven awaits the outcome - doesn't it?

If it's true an eternity in heaven awaits the outcome, regardless of one's belief or disbelief.

To be honest I was just musing as follows:

We know God is good because the Bible tells us.
If God didn't write the bible he certainly had a hand in steering those that did.

So its his word.

Now if we look at his word we see the rules (think 7 deadly sins for example)

I get your intent, but for the record, this really isn't Biblical.

and then we compare his behaviour against those. As a believer we then have to jump through hoops to justify why he doesn't live up to his own guidelines.

No, as a believer I can simply say that his guidelines for man are not binding on himself.

Could it be that the dangers of a written Bible is that we don't see the irony or sarcasm in his voice?

Could it? Sure. So what? Also note that important doctrines can usually be supported from multiple parts of the Bible, which logically decreases the possibility of misunderstanding sarcasm.