Yahweh’s actions are sometimes considered troublesome, incomprehensible, or inconsistent. The complaint of the Israelites of the Babylonian period that “the fathers eat sour grapes and the children’s teeth are set on edge” is only one example. At other times drought or famine occurs without ready explanation. The prophets and biblical authors, however, are never content to let stand the conclusion that the events in question simply represent divine whim. The prophets identify causes for the treatment of the nation.
