Natural disasters often raise theological questions among believers. Are disasters such as volcanic eruptions, tsunamis, or wildfires simply natural phenomena that can be explained scientifically, or are there divine messages behind them? Throughout history, major disasters have often prompted deep religious reflection. Some see them as warnings or even punishment from God, while others seek answers through scientific understanding and disaster mitigation.

The Bible records several instances where people wondered whether a disaster was a natural event or a punishment from God. One example is the plague that struck the Philistines after they took the Ark of the Covenant. In 1 Samuel 6:9 it says, “If the ark turns to Beth Shemesh in its own country, it is He who has brought this great calamity on us. If not, we will know that His hand has not struck us; it has happened to us.” This story shows that humanity, even in the Bible, often tries to distinguish between natural events and divine intervention. In this case, they use a ‘test’ to determine whether the disease that befell them is really a punishment from God.

In general, a disaster is a shock in human life that disrupts their stability and comfort. This situation creates conditions where people begin to wonder about the meaning of life and the role of God in their reality. Human responses to disasters can be grouped into two. First, viewing disasters as natural phenomena that must be explained through science and technology. The main focus is on mitigation and infrastructure development to reduce the impact of future disasters. Second, viewing disasters as signs or warnings from God. Such responses encourage theological reflection, repentance, and moral change in society. A historical example from the Bible that shows how great shocks bring people to God is the Babylonian Exile. Although there are many examples of disasters in the Bible such as the flood in Noah's day, the account of the exile provides deeper insight into its theological impact.

The Exile of the Israelites to Babylon was a turning point in their history. Based on the reflections of the prophets, the main cause of the exile was the grave sins of the Israelites, especially in the form of syncretism and idolatry. Several verses support this view, including:

• Judges 2:12: “They abandoned the Lord, the God of their fathers, who brought them out of the land of Egypt, and followed other gods, from among the gods of the nations around them, and they bowed down to him, so that they offended the Lord.” The period of the Book of Judges is thought to take place between approximately 1375–1050 BC, after the death of Joshua and before the founding of the Kingdom of Israel beginning with King Saul.
• 2 Kings 17:10: “They set up idol pillars and Asherah pillars on every high hill and under every green tree.” Hosea was the last king of the northern kingdom of Israel (732-722 BC). His reign ended when the Northern Kingdom of Israel was conquered by the Assyrian Empire under King Sargon II, resulting in the mass exile of the Israelites (known as the "Ten Lost Tribes"). This event marked the end of the existence of the Northern Kingdom of Israel.
• 2 Kings 21:3: "Manasseh rebuilt the high places of sacrifice which had been destroyed by Hezekiah his father. He built altars to Baal, made an image of Asherah as did Ahab, king of Israel, and bowed down to all the host of heaven and worshiped him." King Manasseh, one of the kings of Judah, reigned for 55 years—the longest period of any king of Israel and Judah. He ruled from about 697–642 BC. He did a lot of idol worship, although he repented at the end of his life.
• Jeremiah 19:5: “They set up sacrificial hills to worship Baal, and burned his children as sacrifices in the fire, which I neither commanded nor spoke, nor thought of.” In the time of the Prophet Jeremiah, several kings of Judah ruled. The prophet Jeremiah served for a long period, from about 627–586 BC, so that he lived during the time of several kings of Judah: Josiah, Jehoahaz, Jehoiakim, Jehoiachin, Zedekiah.

So for 789 years the Israelites committed the sin of syncretism, before finally the great shock of exile brought them to their senses.

Post-exilic reflection shows a profound change in Israel's faith. Before their exile, they often fell into the sin of idolatry. However, after experiencing the suffering of exile, they became a nation that was more firmly monotheistic