An honest and straightforward approach for sure. At least you're trying to get at the truth of it all. But the problem lies in the assumption that the Old Testament is "God's Word". Extraordinary claims require extraordinary evidence as Carl Sagan once said...and all rationale points to other conclusions.

You're perfectly welcome to your beliefs in my book; just as long as they aren't forced on me through laws, Government or Education. Unfortunately we're ass deep in problems, prohibitions and wars because religious practitioners can't keep their practices to themselves.