The previous residence in Canaan, though designed to be permanent, was interrupted because of a failure of the people to cooperate with the program of Heaven. The people had built houses, but strangers dwelt in them. Now they were again offered the promise of permanence (see on Isa. 65:21). If the discipline of the Captivity had done its designed work, and the returning exiles had continued to carry out the divine objective, residence would have been permanent.