Spiritual Meaning of EXODUS 14:29-31
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AC 8233. Verses 29-31. And the sons of Israel went on the dry into the midst of the sea; and the waters were a wall to them on their right hand, and on their left. And Jehovah saved Israel on this day out of the hand of the Egyptians; and Israel saw the Egyptians dead upon the sea shore. And Israel saw the great hand which Jehovah wrought on the Egyptians, and the people feared Jehovah; and they believed in Jehovah, and in His servant Moses. "And the sons of Israel went on the dry into the midst of the sea," signifies that they who were in the good of truth and the truth of good passed safely through that hell without infestation; "and the waters were a wall unto them on their right hand, and on their left," signifies that they were withheld from falsities on every side; "and Jehovah saved Israel on this day out of the hand of the Egyptians," signifies that in this state the Lord protected those who were of the spiritual church from all violence by reason of falsities from evil; "and Israel saw the Egyptians dead upon the sea shore," signifies the view of the damned scattered here and there; "and Israel saw the great hand which Jehovah wrought on the Egyptians," signifies the acknowledgment of the Lord’s omnipotence; "and the people feared Jehovah," signifies adoration; "and they believed," signifies faith and trust; "in Jehovah, and in His servant Moses," signifies the Lord as to Divine good, and as to Divine truth proceeding from Him and ministering.

AC 8234. And the sons of Israel went on the dry into the midst of the sea. That this signifies that they who were in the good of truth and the truth of good passed safely through that hell without infestation, is evident from what was unfolded above (n. 8185), where are the like words. It is said "in the good of truth and in the truth of good," and there is meant the spiritual church; for they who are of this church are first in the good of truth, and afterward in the truth of good; for at first they do what is good because the truth prescribes that it ought to be done, consequently from obedience; but afterward they do what is good from affection. Then they see truth from good and also do it. From this it is evident that before the man of the spiritual church receives a new will from the Lord, that is, before he has been regenerated, he does truth from obedience; but after he has been regenerated he does truth from affection, and then, to him, truth becomes good, because it is of the will. For to act from obedience is to act from the intellectual part; but to act from affection is to act from the will part. From this also it is that they who do truth from obedience are men of the external church; but they who do it from affection are men of the internal church. From all this it is evident that they who are of the spiritual church are meant when it is said "they who are in the good of truth and the truth of good."

AC 8235. And the waters were a wall unto them on their right hand, and on their left. That this signifies that they were withheld from falsities on every side, is evident from what was unfolded above (n. 8206), where are like words.

AC 8236. And Jehovah saved Israel on this day out of the hand of the Egyptians. That this signifies that in this state the Lord protected those who were of the spiritual church from all violence by reason of falsities from evil, is evident from the signification of "to save," as being to protect; from the signification of "in this day," as being in this state. "Day" denotes state, (n. 23, 487, 488, 493, 893, 2788, 3462, 3785, 4850); from the representation of Israel, as being those who are of the spiritual church; and from the representation of the Egyptians, as being those who are in falsities from evil, consequently it is evident that "to save out of their hand" denotes to be protected from violence on the part of those who are in falsities from evil.

AC 8237. And Israel saw the Egyptians dead upon the sea shore. That this signifies the view of the damned scattered here and there, is evident from the signification of "to see," as being to look at, or the view; from the representation of "the Egyptians," as being those who are in falsities from evil; from the signification of "dead," as being damned (n. 5407, 6119, 7494); and from the signification of "upon the sea shore," as being in the region which surrounds the utmost parts of hell; that "shores" denote the utmost parts is evident; and that "the sea" denotes hell has been already shown. Hence it is that by "seeing them dead upon the sea shore" is signified the view of the damned scattered here and there. As the view of the damned is mentioned, it must be made clear how the case herein is. They who are in hells are not seen by those who are in another hell, not even by those who are in the next or nearest, for they are completely separated; but they appear to those who are in heaven whenever the Lord pleases. For the Lord rules the hells also by means of angels, to whom an opportunity is given of seeing all things that come forth there, from the place where they are. This is done to the end that there may be order in hell also, and that one may not do violence to another beyond what is permitted. This office is given to the angels, and through it there is rule over the hells. To look into the hells and to see what is going on there, is also sometimes granted to good spirits, for it is from order that lower things can be seen from higher, but not higher things from lower. Thus the hells and their inhabitants can be seen by those who are in heaven, but not the reverse. Hence it is that evils can be seen from good, but not goods from evil, for good is higher and evil is lower.

AC 8238. Add Israel saw the great hand which Jehovah wrought on the Egyptians. That this signifies the acknowledgment of the omnipotence of the Lord, is evident from the signification of "to see," as being to understand, to acknowledge, and to have faith (n. 897, 2150, 2325, 2807, 3796, 3863, 3869, 4403-4421, 5400, 6805); from the signification of "a hand great," "strong," "firm," "high," when said of Jehovah, that is, of the Lord, as being omnipotence (n. 878, 7188, 7189, 7518, 8050, 8069, 8153); and from the representation of the Egyptians, as being those who are in damnation; now, those who are in hell.

AC 8239. And the people feared Jehovah. That this signifies adoration, is evident from the signification of "fearing Jehovah," as being worship either from love, or from faith, or from fear (n. 2826); thus adoration.

AC 8240. And they believed. That this signifies faith and trust, is evident from the signification of "believing," as being to have faith, and also to have trust; for he who has faith has trust also. Trust belongs to love through faith, consequently trust in Jehovah, that is, in the Lord, is possible with those only who are in love to the Lord and toward the neighbor, because with others there is no faith.

AC 8241. In Jehovah, and in His servant Moses. That this signifies the Lord as to the Divine good, and as to the Divine truth proceeding from Him and ministering, is evident from the fact that by "Jehovah" in the Word is meant the Lord (n. 1343, 1736, 2921, 3023, 3035, 5663, 6281, 6303, 6945, 6956); and indeed the Lord as to the Divine good (n. 2586, 2769, 2807, 2822, 4402, 6905); from the representation of Moses, as being the Divine truth proceeding from Him (n. 6752, 7010, 7014, 7089, 7382). It is said "the Lord as to the Divine good and as to the Divine truth," because Divine good is in the Lord, and Divine truth is from the Lord; Divine good is to Divine truth as the fire of the sun is to the light from it; the light not being in the sun, but from the sun. And from the signification of "servant," as being one who ministers. That he is called a "servant" who is of service, thus who ministers, see (n. 7143); and that on this account the Lord as to the Divine Human, when He was in the world, is called in the Word a "servant," (n. 3441); for He then ministered, as He Himself also says: "Whosoever would become great among you must be your minister; and whosoever would be first must be your servant; even as the Son of man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister" (Matt. 20:26-28; Mark 10:43-45).