Exile – by Raphael ben Levi
“Let the wicked forsake his way And the unrighteous man his thoughts; And let him return to the LORD, And He will have compassion on him, And to our God, For He will abundantly pardon. (Isa. 55:7)
Here is how the Jewish philosopher, Martin Buber, described exile. “A king’s son rebelled against his father and was banished from the sight of his face. After a time, the king was moved to pity for his fate and bade messengers go in search of him.
It was long before one of the messengers found him—far from home. He was at a village inn, dancing barefoot and in a torn shirt in the midst of drunken peasants. The courtier bowed and said:
‘Your father has sent me to ask you what you desire. Whatever it may be, he is prepared to grant your wish.’
The prince began to weep. ‘Oh,’ said he, ‘if only I had warm clothing and a pair of stout shoes!’”
See, how we so easily whimper to God to meet even our smallest list of needs because we have moved away from His Glory and placed ourselves in exile! We weep for the things we have not instead of returning to the place of true abundance.
