Spiritual Meaning of EXODUS 13:3-10
[2] As to what further concerns this subject, be it known that before the Lord’s coming heaven was not distinguished into three heavens, namely into the inmost or third, the middle or second, and the ultimate or first, as it was after the Lord‘s coming; but was one. The spiritual heaven was not yet formed. The region where the spiritual heaven was to be, was occupied by those who were in falsity and evil, but who could be kept in some truth and good by external means, especially by means of ideas of eminence and dignity, just as is the case in the world, where they who are in evil and falsity are nevertheless obliged to as it were think and speak truths, and as it were will and do goods, by external means, which are honors and gains. The reason why this region of heaven" was then occupied by such spirits, was that good ones were lacking, and they who were of the spiritual church had not as yet been prepared, and yet every place had to be filled by spirits, in order that there might be continuity from the Lord down to man, for without continuity man would have perished. At this day also there are some regions of heaven occupied by such; but they who are there are withheld by a strong force from the doing of evils. Immediately above the head are they who deceive and seduce by means of innocence; but above them are the celestial from the Most Ancient Church, who keep them in bonds with such force that they cannot possibly occasion what is evil to any on. Behind the back part of the head there is also at this day a region which had been a region of heaven, that is occupied by the evil; and another in front toward the left.
[3] There is also a continual endeavor on the part of the evil to invade the places where the good are, and they actually do invade them as soon as they are not filled by the good, which endeavor it has often been granted me to notice. These regions are thus occupied when the evil are increased and the good diminished in the world; for in this case evil spirits come near to man, and good spirits recede from him; and in so far as these recede, so far the regions nearest to man are occupied by the evil. When this condition becomes general, the inhabitants of these regions are completely changed. Much is the case when the church is near its end, for then evil and falsity prevail. But about the end of the church the evil are cast down, and the regions they had occupied are given to the good, who in the meantime have been prepared for heaven. This is meant by these words in John:--
There was war in heaven; Michael and his angels fought against the dragon; and the dragon fought and his angels; but they prevailed not, neither was their place found any more in heaven (Rev. 12:7, 8).
This state of heaven was represented by the land of Canaan, in that the nations occupied it; and by the sons of Israel, in that they cast those nations out from it; for by the "land of Canaan" is signified the Lord’s kingdom, thus heaven and the church, as can be seen from the passages cited above.
. Which He sware to thy fathers to give thee. That this signifies which was promised from the Divine to those who are in good and truth, is evident from the signification of "swearing," when by Jehovah, as being irrevocable confirmation by the Divine (n. 2842, 3375), whence "to swear to give" denotes a promise; and from the signification of "fathers," as being those who are in good and truth, for by "fathers," when the church is treated of, are signified the ancients, or the ancient churches, which were in good and truth (n. 6050, 6075, 6589, 6876, 6884, 7649). . A land flowing with milk and honey. That this signifies where are gladness and joy, is evident from the signification of "a land flowing with milk and honey," as being what is pleasant and what is delightful (n. 5620, 6857), thus gladness and joy. It is said "gladness and joy," because in the Word "gladness" is predicated of truth, and "joy" of good; in like manner "what is pleasant" and "what is delightful;" moreover "milk" is predicated of the truth of good, and "honey" of the good of truth. . That thou shalt serve this service in this month. That this signifies unceasing worship of the Lord on account of liberation, is evident from the signification of "as being worship (n. 7934); and from the signification of "month," as being the end of a former state and the beginning of a new one; and of "the month Abib," as being the beginning from which are all following states (n. 8053); consequently by "month" is signified also what is unceasing. . Seven days thou shalt eat unleavened things. That this signifies purification from falsities, is evident from the signification of "seven days," as involving what is holy (n. 395, 433, 716, 881, 5265, 5268), and as being a full state (n. 6508); and from the signification of "eating unleavened things," as being the appropriation of truth and purification from falsity, for "what is unleavened" denotes good purified from falsity, and "eating" denotes appropriation (n. 3168, 3513, 3596, 3832, 4745). That "what is unleavened" denotes good purified from falsity, is because "bread" denotes good, and "leaven" falsity. . And in the seventh day is a feast to Jehovah. That this signifies the holy worship of the Lord, is evident from the signification of "the seventh day," as being a holy state. "Day" denotes state, (n. 23, 487, 488, 493, 893, 2788, 3462, 3785, 4850, 5672, 5962); and "seven" denotes what is holy, (n. 395, 433, 716, 881, 5265, 5268); and the signification of "a feast to Jehovah," is the worship of the Lord. A "feast" denotes worship from a glad mind, (n. 7093); and "Jehovah" denotes the Lord, (n. 8046). . Unleavened things shall be eaten seven days. That this signifies that they must be wholly purified from falsities, is evident from the signification of "eating unleavened things," as being to appropriate good purified from falsities (n. 8058); and as this is repeated, it signifies that it shall be wholly done; and from the signification of "seven days," as being what is holy, and also a full state (n. 8058). . And that which is leavened shall not be seen with thee. That this signifies that what is falsified must not be admitted at all, that is to say, so as to be appropriated, is evident from what was unfolded above (n. 8051); that this must not be done at all, is signified by the words being repeated. . And leaven shall not be seen with thee. That this signifies that neither must any falsity be admitted, is evident from the signification of "leaven," as being falsity (n. 7906). That which is falsified, which is signified by "what is leavened," and falsity, which is signified by "leaven," differ in the fact that what is falsified is truth applied to confirm evil, and falsity is everything that is contrary to truth. . In all thy border. That this signifies so far as the truth which is from good extends itself, is evident from the signification of "border," as being the extension of truth from good; for all truth has its extension, which is sometimes manifested by a sphere; and because it has extension, it has its borders. The sphere of the extension of truth is according to the quality and the amount of good; for good is like flame, and truth is like light. The sphere of extension in the spiritual world is to the societies which are round about; and so far as the sphere extends into them, so far there is communication (n. 6598-6613). In heaven everyone has intelligence and wisdom, and has happiness, according to the sphere of extension; that is, according to its amount and at the same time its quality. From all this it can be seen what is signified in the spiritual sense by "in all thy border," here, that in good there must not be any falsity; for falsities are outside of the sphere, because they begin where truths leave of; whereas if they enter the sphere, they are appropriated. That they must not enter is signified by its being said "there shall no leavened thing, or leaven, be seen with thee in all thy border." . And thou shalt tell thy son in that day, saying. That this signifies the interior perception which is of conscience, is evident from what was unfolded above (n. 7935), where are like words. . It is because of that which Jehovah did for me, in my going forth out of Egypt. That this signifies that they were liberated by the Lord from spiritual captivity and from damnation, is evident from the signification of "to go forth," as being to be liberated; and from the signification of "Egypt," as being spiritual captivity and damnation (n. 8049). . And it shall be unto thee for a sign upon thine hand. That this signifies that it must be constantly in the will, is evident from the signification of "a sign," as being a constant recollection, for that which is for a sign and for a memorial is for the sake of constant remembrance; that the sign was to be upon the hand was in order that as often as they moved the hand, or did anything, they might be reminded of it; and that the memorial was to be between the eyes was in order that as often as they looked at anything, they might be reminded of it and from the signification of the "hand," as being power (n. 878, 3387, 4931-4937, 5327, 5328, 5544, 6292, 6947, 7011, 7188, 7189, 7518, 7673), here the will, because all the action and power of action which are effected by means of the hand, proceed from the will. . And for a memorial between thine eyes. That this signifies that it must be constantly in the understanding, is evident from the signification of "a memorial," as also being a constant recollection (it is said "a memorial," because in the Word this is predicated of the understanding, whereas "a sign" is predicated of the will); and from the signification of "eyes," as being the understanding (n. 2701, 3820, 4403-4421, 4523-4534), consequently by "a memorial between the eyes" is signified that it must be constantly in the understanding, that is, in the thought. How it is to be understood that it must be constantly in the understanding and constantly in the will, shall be briefly told. Those things with a man which have been impressed by means of faith and charity, or which the man fully believes and loves, are constantly in his thought and will; for he thinks them and wills them, even when he is thinking and busy about other things, and does not suppose them to be present in his mind; for they are among the things which constitute the mind‘s quality. That this is so is clearly evident from the spiritual sphere which encompasses a spirit or an angel; for when he approaches, it is at once known from this sphere of what faith and of what charity he is, and many things he has at heart, although at the time he is not thinking about them. Such things constitute the mind’s life of everyone, and they always keep themselves there. These things could be illustrated by very many things with man; as by the various reflections, by the affections, and by the actions impressed from infancy, and the like, which are continually present and guide, even if nothing is manifestly thought about the matter. The case is the same with love to the neighbor, with love to God, with the love of good and truth, and with faith; they who are in these, constantly will them and think them; for these are in them, and when they are within they are said to be "universally regnant" (n. 6159, 6571, 7648). . That the law of Jehovah may be in thy mouth. That this signifies that the Divine truth may be in everything which proceeds thence, is evident from the signification of "the law of Jehovah," as being the Divine truth (n. 7463); and from the signification of "being in the mouth," as being to be in everything which proceeds thence, that is, from the understanding and the will; for "in the mouth" denotes in the discourse, and in the discourse there is each part of the mind, both its understanding and its will; the understanding in the sense of the words and things; the will in the affection which gives life to the discourse. . Because with a strong hand hath Jehovah led thee forth out of Egypt. That this signifies that they were liberated by Divine power, is evident from the signification of the "strong hand" of Jehovah, as being the Divine power of the Lord; and from the signification of "to lead forth," as being to liberate (n. 8050). . And thou shalt keep this statute at the set time from year to year. That this signifies that this law of order must be in this state continually, is evident from the signification of "statute," as being a law of order (n. 7884, 7995); from the signification of "time," as being state (n. 2625, 2788, 2837, 3254, 3356, 3404, 3827, 3938, 4814, 4882, 4901, 4916, 6110, 7381); hence "at the set time" denotes in this state; and from the signification of "year," as being an entire period from beginning to end (n. 2906); thus "from year to year" denotes continually. EXODUS 13:3-10 previous - next - text - summary - Exodus - Full Page
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