@ kepler
It is good and interesting how you handle this discussion. I may not be able to contribute much, but I certainly would like to.
To me:
All scripture is about bringing back what was lost. Even by calling the human image and likeness of God death is already being called into question, if you think about it. What prevalence would be there over the reptile's sting, if not in a reversal of death to life? What use of sacrifices, however useless they were, if there were no hope at all in a remedy against the dieing?
The absence of overmuch talk of resurrection in the most part of these old writings is a good answer to the notion of these texts being opium for the (lower) people. The scriptures ask a lot from man. There is no cheap comfort in them. It is actually only the Law itself that remains somewhat silent on the matter. It'd be not fitting for any law to undermine its standards by cheap excuses and hopes.
Unfortunately religion did not ease the pain, but multiplied in order to administer its intoxicants, only seemingly benevolent.