How were gods used to explain events that took place?

Answer 1

A:First of all, we know that if we pray often enough, at least some of our prayers will seem to have been answered. When they are, that good fortune can be attributed to the favour of the god or gods. When they are not, we realise that the gods will never answer all our prayers.

The gods also become angry with their human subjects and can bring about calamity. The late Jewish prophets explained that God had become angry with the Jews, and that this was the reason for the Babylonian Exile. Only by re-establishing his favour were they able to return to Jerusalem.