Definitions of Terms INTRODUCTION

The impacts of Babylonian Empire influence the writing of scripture and the Jewish culture. It does not only influence the writing of Daniel but also the writing of Kings. Another study that supports this idea is written by Kari Latuvus with the title, “Decolonizing Yahweh: A Postcolonial Reading of 2 Kings 24- 25 1 ”. In this essay, Latuvus uses Postcolonial theory in order to see the problem of Babylonian Empire experienced by Jehoiachin, the next king of Judah after Jehoiakim. The aim of his study is to first, elucidate the message in the end of 2 Kings, more elaborates on the rehabilitation of Jehoiachin, and the second is to observe how theology is affected by colonialism. In his essay, Latuvus finds out that 2 Kings 24-25 mainly talks about the loss of political and social independence of southern state of Judah. Latuvus says that the “core crisis” of Hebrew Bible is the destruction of Jerusalem temple and the deportation of Jewish people. This deportation then makes Judah dispers and consequently leads to the contact and interaction with other cultures, which Latuvus says as “multicultural Orient”. As the result, this also leads to the condition of uncertainty then threats the ethnic identity Sugirtharajah, 2006: 186 . Politics of Babylon plays a serious role here. Colonialism takes part in shaping the way Israelites religion and how they pray to their God and also their contents of theology. This is because the Israelites construct their relationship with their God based on the reality they have as the colonized people. Latuvus says that the power of imperialism is showed through the destruction of the city 25: 9-10, the slaughter of royal family and officers 25: 7, 11, and deportation of some society groups 24: 12, 14, 15-16; 25:27, 11 . In the deportation, Latuvus finds out that it only involves several specific groups or those who are wealthy and have special social status and professional skills. In another side, those who are left are “the poor of the land”. This marginalized group then by Latuvus, is never been mentioned again in the latter text. Compared to those who are politically related to the empire, this group are not important at all to be named, deported and even killed. This group, during the exile, establish a new governmental system in their homeland. They even make a rebellion but fail which cause the destruction of the city, temple, and palace, houses and walls Sugirtharajah, 2006: 188. Latuvus finds out that all Babylonian cruelties mentioned in the text are always caused by the deeds of Israelites that do something against what their God wills. Both Jehoiachin and Zedekiah were the main people who caused the major destruction of Jerusalem as they both with their people committed a rebellion against the empire. Every rebellious activity they make only let them to the disastrous facts. Hence, Latuvus finds the inferiority attitude of the writer of 2 Kings. This inferior attitude is found in the characteristic of Gedaliah 25: 24. Babylonian Empire is considered as the one which “is not to be afraid of...Babylonian should be “served” and the colonial power would let good things happen” and everything will be alright Sugirtharajah, 2006: 189. This shows how inferior Gedaliah is. In deuteronomistic theology, Latuvus finds out that the way Israelites make relationship with Yahweh is by serving. However, in this colonial context, it is not Yahweh to be served but the empire. Latuvus argues that