In the first of these two articles, Exile I, we briefly explored the process by which God exiles His people from His land. There we discovered that blindness to the Scriptures was a major component of exile. God does not teach or promote unsound doctrine, but if He blinds us by removing our prophets and seers, we no longer clearly understand His words. With proper guidance hidden, our own hearts will lead us into all sorts of error.

In that first article, we asked whether the children of God would ever unite in one understanding of God's word.

Continuing to read in Isaiah 29, we find that just as there is a process of exile, there is a process of restoration, "In that day the deaf shall hear the words of a book, and out of their gloom and darkness the eyes of the blind shall see. The meek shall obtain fresh joy in the Lord, and the poor among mankind shall exult in the Holy One of Israel. For the ruthless shall come to nothing and the scoffer cease, and all who watch to do evil shall be cut off, who by a word make a man out to be an offender, and lay a snare for him who reproves in the gate, and with an empty plea turn aside him who is in the right." (Is 29:18-21, ESV)

So we see two parts to the process, first eyes and ears are reopened to Scripture and then scoffers and those who contend for wrong doctrine are removed. The second step reverses His removal of prophets and seers when sending us into exile. In other words, just as God once removed those who could clearly hear His word and guide His people, during restoration He removes those who prevent the teaching of sound doctrine.

This restoration of understanding will be completed upon the physical restoration of Israel. "And no longer shall each one teach his neighbor and each his brother, saying, 'Know the Lord,' for they shall all know me, from the least of them to the greatest, declares the Lord." (Jer 31:34, ESV)

So we see that the answer to the question posed in Exile I has been answered, yes the children of God will unite in one understanding of His word. In the third note of this series, we will look at what the enemy does trying to thwart God's plan of restoration.