Why is God so mean?

There are many who read the Bible and see the actions of God as mean, cruel, and evil.  They see His condoning groups of people to be killed by the Israelites in the Old Testament, asking Abraham to kill Isaac, and even thinking that the death of His Son was a good thing.  We as humans have a hard time grasping these things from a humanistic standpoint.  However, when we look at them through the eyes of God, and in context as to what is happening within the Bible, we find something completely different.  God is patient with everyone and gives them the chance to turn to Him (2 Peter 3:9), but if they do not and continue on in sin then He executes judgment.  Even though many want God to just be a God of love, mercy, and grace, we need to remember that He is also a God of holiness, righteousness, and justice.