How Do You Answer People Concerning "Moral Abominations" in the OT?

[heb13-13]

I was wondering how any of you answer people that ask you about so-called "moral abominations" in the OT by God. Today, when Human Rights is such a major topic, how do you answer people that say the God of the OT is a vengeful, hateful, mean and unmerciful God?

One of the questions I get is "How can any moral person condone such horrendous actions and attribute them to the "God" they say created the universe?"

These are serious questions that people ask and I can't just say, "His ways are higher than our ways" as it will look like I am sweeping the subject under the rug and don't have any serious answers.

To these people the Old Testament is filled with moral abominations of God killing men, women and children and even but to their perception, God approves of and commands women to be considered property and He also condones and commands virgins of pagan peoples to be given as sex-slaves to the Hebrew men.

Num.31:7 And they warred against the Midianites, as the LORD commanded Moses; and they slew all the males....15-18) And Moses said unto them, Have ye saved all the women alive? Behold, these caused the children of Israel, through the counsel of Balaam, to commit trespass against the LORD in the matter of Peor, and there was a plague among the congregation of the LORD. Now therefore kill every male among the little ones, and kill every woman that hath known man by lying with him. But all the women children, that have not known a man by lying with him, keep alive for yourselves….30-35) And of the children of Israel's half, thou shalt take one portion of fifty, of the persons, of the beeves, of the asses, and of the flocks, of all manner of beasts, and give them unto the Levites, which keep the charge of the tabernacle of the LORD. And Moses and Eleazar the priest did as the LORD commanded Moses…And thirty and two thousand persons in all, of women that had not known man by lying with him.

Would really love to have some thoughtful responses to how you handle questions like this.

Thanks,
Rick