The last kings of Juda were not the protagonists of the drama but the antagonists to God
instead. God used the neighbouring peoples and Babel as tools of punishment. The reason for
these punishments was the systemic covenant break of God's people. The consequences of these
punishments can be read in Deuteronomy 28. The story is a composed deconstruction of divine
salvation promises. The salvation gifts were withdrawn but the promises still remained. The
people needed a new beginning that with reference to the exodus could only be indicated or
prepared by pardoning Jehoiachin (2 Kings 25:27-30). How did the Babylonian Exile come about?
Was God to blame or was it the people themselves?
