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I hadn't given the topic any thought until it was mentioned here. I personally think it's symbolic, rather than geographical.
There's one take at this link. I'm Catholic so I don't get mixed up with "Messianic" churches or movements, but they seem to have some reasonable explanations.
http://messianic-revolution.com/2-21-significance-direction-east-scriptures/
You can't get closer to or farther away from God with geography.
I'm not aware there is anything to it.Reading Genesis again I notice that the further east you go, the further you get from God.
To begin with, God plants a garden to the east of his location (Genesis 2:8), then when man is expelled he is sent further eastwards (Genesis 3:24), and finally when Cain is expelled even further, he goes into Nod which to is yet further eastwards (Genesis 4:16).
So what exactly is it about East and West that lays behind this?
Any ideas?
That's an interesting idea. Care to unpack it?
What's there to unpack? I simply made an observation.
Traditionally, wasn't widdershins (i.e. in a direction contrary to the sun's course), considered as unlucky, whereas deisul (clockwise) was normal, usual and acceptable? This doesn't really answer your question, but the idea appears to have been identified outside of the bible also (or perhaps as a result of the bible).
What is your reason for this belief?That's interesting. It reminds me of psalm 19:1-6 where the sun is described as taking its course through the houses of the zodiac, that some say (and I believe) was created by Adam to serve as a witness of the gospel for future generations. I personally think that Abraham learned this message from Noah's close descendents near Haran, which accounted for his extraordinary faith.
The unpacking would be what you mean by following the sun...
What is your reason for this belief?
Reading Genesis again I notice that the further east you go, the further you get from God.
To begin with, God plants a garden to the east of his location (Genesis 2:8), then when man is expelled he is sent further eastwards (Genesis 3:24), and finally when Cain is expelled even further, he goes into Nod which to is yet further eastwards (Genesis 4:16).
So what exactly is it about East and West that lays behind this?
Any ideas?
Lot choose the east land and "pitched his tents near Sodom" where Abraham went west to Canaan.
Canaan is on the Mediterranean so perhaps to an ancient there is no "west of Canaan". ... I would suggest there is nothing "west" of Canaan and Canaan is the goal. Anything not "of Canaan" is considered east.
perhaps Eden is the reference point and where it begins but as you move west of eden it seems Canaan is spot where the western momentum ends.I think that the implication in the text is that God's abode is west of Eden...
Reading Genesis again I notice that the further east you go, the further you get from God.
To begin with, God plants a garden to the east of his location (Genesis 2:8), then when man is expelled he is sent further eastwards (Genesis 3:24), and finally when Cain is expelled even further, he goes into Nod which to is yet further eastwards (Genesis 4:16).
So what exactly is it about East and West that lays behind this?
Any ideas?
Abraham came from the East in order to inherit the land of God.
You can only go so far north until you reach the pole then you are going south. But you go east and you continue going east forever. Or west. But if you go south just so far until suddenly you are going north. Be east is always east and west is always west.Reading Genesis again I notice that the further east you go, the further you get from God.
To begin with, God plants a garden to the east of his location (Genesis 2:8), then when man is expelled he is sent further eastwards (Genesis 3:24), and finally when Cain is expelled even further, he goes into Nod which to is yet further eastwards (Genesis 4:16).
So what exactly is it about East and West that lays behind this?
Any ideas?
Indeed.
Going east appears to be bad, and going west appears to be good.
The ultimate suggestion is that the land of Canaan is the land of God - the good land which Israel ought to strive to inherit and remain in.
Which is ironic, given that its a parched piece of sand.
Give me temperate Europe any day
It is about as fruitless as looking for where up or down are.Reading Genesis again I notice that the further east you go, the further you get from God.
To begin with, God plants a garden to the east of his location (Genesis 2:8), then when man is expelled he is sent further eastwards (Genesis 3:24), and finally when Cain is expelled even further, he goes into Nod which to is yet further eastwards (Genesis 4:16).
So what exactly is it about East and West that lays behind this?
Any ideas?
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