pete - Yes, I understand what Israel's role presumably was to be, as put forth in the Bible...as you have explained it.

I just don't buy it, that's all.

I think that God...if there is a God...would expect exactly the same from all of us...or would have, better yet, NO expectations of us, but just a great deal of love for us.

Rather as a parent loves a child. One should not have expectations of one's children. That leads to a lot of pain and sorrow. One should only love them...without any preconditions, without any expectations, without any rewards, punishments or demands. Love is not love if it's conditional. It might be a degree of affection. It might be merely attraction. It might be attachment or a sense of ownership. But it's not love.

NOTE: I am not saying in the above that children do not require guidance, discipline, and direction. They do. And if you love them, and aren't afraid to love them, you will give them guidance, discipline, and direction...because to not do so would be a betrayal of your children and would greatly harm them in time.