🏚️ Exile and Return
From Eden to Babylon to the heavenly homeland -- the pattern of departure and homecoming
He drove out the man; and He placed at the east of the garden of Eden Cherubims, and a flaming sword.
Get thee out of thy country -- departure as the path to promise.
I am God, the God of thy father: fear not to go down into Egypt; for I will there make of thee a great nation.
Thou in Thy mercy hast led forth the people which Thou hast redeemed.
The rest of the people that were left in the city carried Nebuzaradan the captain of the guard away.
By the rivers of Babylon, there we sat down, yea, we wept, when we remembered Zion.
Comfort ye, comfort ye My people, saith your God.
Who is there among you of all His people? The LORD his God be with him, and let him go up.
When he was yet a great way off, his father saw him, and had compassion, and ran, and fell on his neck.
Now they desire a better country, that is, an heavenly: wherefore God is not ashamed to be called their God.
Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and He will dwell with them, and they shall be His people.