Praise, you remind me of the best of my Christian forebears. And that's a h*ll of a compliment. Emily Harrison, I used to ask my Sunday school teachers the same question. Also, how could God destroy entire cities that must have contained innocent women, children and pets, why don't we hear more about Jesus' siblings (yes, they are there in the Bible), if God is omniscient, how can He hold it against us what we do, allow airline crashes, wars, child abuse, etc. Now, years after much study and soul-searching, life is beginning to make sense (or, as Hemingway characters are prone to say, "I was really learning fast there towards the end"). Anyway, don't look for literal truths and facts in written texts. Read between the lines and find nuggets of truth and wisdom. Live the golden rule as best you can. Know that God is love (really). And bless you for seeking and caring.