Spiritual Meaning of EXODUS 14:19-22
[2] As regards the angels, be it known that by "angels" in the Word is meant the Lord (n. 1925, 3039, 4085); and therefore the Lord Himself is called an "angel" (n. 6280, 6831). Hence "angels" signify Divine truth, for the Divine truth proceeding from the Lord makes heaven, consequently also the angels who constitute heaven; for in so far as they receive the Divine truth which is from the Lord, so far they are angels. This can also be seen from the fact that the angels are quite unwilling, and are even averse, to have anything of truth and good attributed to them, because it is of the Lord with them. Hence also it is said that the Lord is the all in all of heaven, and that they who are in heaven are in the Lord; and moreover by virtue of the Divine truth which they receive from the Lord, the angels are called in the Word "gods" (n. 4295, 7268), and therefore "God" in the original tongue is in the plural number.
[3] Be it known further, that in the Word "an angel" is spoken of, when yet many are meant; as in the present case, where it is said "the angel of God," and there is meant the pillar which advanced before the sons of Israel, and which was constituted of many angels. Moreover in the Word angels are mentioned by name, as "Michael," "Raphael," and others. They who do not know the internal sense of the Word believe that "Michael" or "Raphael" is some one angel who is supreme among his associates; but by these names in the Word is not signified some one angel, but the angelic function itself, thus also the Divine of the Lord in respect to that which belongs to the function.
. Marching before the camp of Israel. That this signifies that was around the truths and goods of the church, is evident from the signification of "the camp," as being truths and goods; for by "the camp" is signified the whole assemblage of Israel, and by the "assemblage of Israel" are signified all goods and truths in the complex (n. 7830, 7843); hence also "encampment" denotes a setting in order according to truths and goods (n. 8103, 8130, 8131, 8155). That "Israel" denotes the spiritual church has been frequently shown. . And he went behind them. That this signifies protection lest the falsity of evil should flow into the will, is evident from the signification of "going behind" the sons of Israel, as being protection lest the Egyptians should attack; in the internal sense, lest the falsities from evil which are signified by "the Egyptians" should flow in (n. 8132, 8135, 8148). That it denotes lest they should flow into the will, is because in the Grand Man, or in the spiritual world, the things of the will are presented at the back, or behind, and those of the understanding in front, or before. As regards influx into the will and into the understanding of man, be it known that the Lord takes the utmost care lest the infernals flow into a man‘s will; for if they were to flow into his will after he had been regenerated or made a church, it would be all over with him, because his will is nothing but evil. Hence it is that the man of the spiritual church is regenerated by the Lord in respect to the intellectual part, and that a new will is formed in this part, which is completely separated from the will that the man has by heredity (n. 863, 875, 927, 1023, 1043, 1044, 2256, 4328, 4493, 5113). From all this it can now been seen whence it is that by "he went behind them" is signified protection lest the falsity of evil should flow into the will. . And the pillar of cloud set out from before them, and stood behind them. That this signifies the presence of the Lord protecting the things of the will, as it had previously protected those of the understanding, is evident from the signification of "the pillar of cloud," as being the presence of the Lord (n. 8110), it being an angelic choir in which the Lord was; and from the signification of "from before them," as being the an understanding, and of "behind them," as being the will (n. 8194); that protection is meant is evident. . And it came between the camp of the Egyptians and the camp of Israel. That this signifies between the falsities of evil on the one side and the truths of good on the other, is evident from the signification of "camp," as being goods and truths in the complex (n. 8193); thus, in the opposite sense, evils and falsities also in the complex. consequently "the camp of the Egyptians" denotes falsities of evil, because by "the Egyptians" are signified falsities from evil (n. 8139, 8135, 8148); and "the camp of Israel" denotes the goods of truth, because by "Israel" are signified the truths which are from good (n. 7957). That "to come between them" denotes to prevent the falsities from evil from flowing in, is evident. . And it was a cloud and darkness. That this signifies the condensation of falsity from evil on the one side, and that it lighted up the night, signifies the enlightenment of truth from good on the other, is evident from the signification of a "cloud and darkness," as being the condensation of falsity from evil. A "cloud" denotes falsity, (n. 1043, 1047, 8137, 8138); also "darkness," (n. 1839, 1860, 4418, 4531, 7688, 7711); and from the signification of "to light up the night," as being the enlightenment of truth by good. The "pillar of fire by night" denotes a state of obscurity tempered by enlightenment by good, (n. 8108).[2] In regard to this circumstance, that the pillar brought darkness upon the Egyptians, and gave light to the sons of Israel, the case is as follows. The presence of the Lord, here signified by "the pillar," is heavenly light itself, from which heaven has its light, and this light is a thousand times brighter than the noonday light of the world. But the same light becomes thick darkness with the evil: even if they are in the light itself, and it becomes thicker darkness in proportion as the falsity from evil is denser with them. The reason is that the truth Divine proceeding from the Lord appears before the eyes of the angels as light, but to those who are in falsities from evil it cannot appear as light, but as thick darkness, for falsity is opposite to truth and extinguishes truth. Hence it is that the pillar, which was the presence of the Lord, brought cloud and darkness on the Egyptians, because by "the Egyptians" are signified those who are in falsities from evil, and that it lighted up the night with the sons of Israel, because by "the sons of Israel" are signified those who are in truth from good. The Lord appears to everyone according to his quality, (n. 1861, 6832).
. And the one came not near the other. That this signifies consequently no communication, is evident from the signification of "coming near," as being influx and communication (n. 8159). . All the night. That this signifies in the obscure state, is evident from the signification of "the night," as being a state of obscurity in respect to the truth and good of faith (n. 1712, 6000). By "the night" is here meant that obscurity which follows immediately after temptations; for they who are liberated from temptations first come into obscurity before they come into clearness, because the falsities and evils that are injected by the hells adhere to them awhile, and are not dissipated except successively. . And Moses stretched out his hand over the sea. That this signifies the rule of the power of truth Divine over hell, is evident from the signification of "stretching out the hand," as being the rule of power (n. 7673, 8183); from the representation of Moses, as being truth Divine; and from the signification of "the sea," here the sea Suph, as being hell (n. 8099, 8137, 8138). It is said "the rule of the power of truth Divine," because all Divine power is through the truth which proceeds from the Lord. This created all things, according to this in John:--All things were made by means of the Word, and without Him was not anything made that was made (John 1:3);
"the Word" denotes the Lord as to Divine truth; by means of this truth all things in heaven and in hell are set in order; from this also is all order on the earth; all the miracles were brought by means of it; in short, Divine truth has in it all power, insomuch that it is power itself. There are some in the other life who are in truth in advance of others, and they are in such power therefrom that they can pass through the hells without any danger. They who are in the hells flee in every direction at their presence. There are some also who by means of truth from the Divine exercise power magically. Of the Lord’s Divine mercy more shall be aid of both of these at the end of the chapters, when the hells will be spoken of. They who pay attention to the causes of things from things external and earthly, cannot perceive otherwise than that truth from the Divine is a mere affair of thought, of no real essence; but on the contrary it is the veriest essentiality from which are all the essences of things in both worlds, the spiritual and the natural.
. And Jehovah made the sea to go away by a strong east wind. That this signifies the means of the dissipation of falsity, is evident from the signification of "making to go away," as being to dissipate; from the signification of "the sea," as being falsity, for by "the sea" are here signified its waters, which denote falsities (n. 8137, 8138); and from the signification of "an east wind," as being a means of destruction (n. 7679), here of the destruction of falsity, thus of its dissipation. . All the night, signifies in an obscure state (n. 8199). . And made the sea dry. That this signifies the dissipation of falsity, is evident from the signification of "the sea," as being falsity (n. 8201); and from the signification of "making it dry," as being its dissipation. "To pass over on the dry" or arid, when said in respect to the waters of that sea when removed, denotes in safety, and without any influx of falsity, (n. 8185). . And the waters were cleft asunder. That this signifies separation from truths, and removal, is evident from the signification of "the waters were cleft asunder," as being the dissipation and separation of falsity (n. 8184), thus separation from truths, and removal. . And the sons of Israel came into the midst of the sea in the dry. That this signifies the entrance and passage of those who were of the spiritual church, through hell in safety, and without any influx of falsity, is evident from what was unfolded above (n. 8185), where like words occur. . And the waters were a wall to them on their right hand, and on their left. That this signifies that they were withheld from falsities on every side, is evident from the signification of "the waters" of that sea, as being falsities from evil (n. 8137, 8138); from the signification of "were a wall to them," as being to be withheld from them; and from the signification of "on their right hand and on their left," as being on every side. That "to be a wall to them," when said of waters by which are signified falsities, denotes to be withheld from falsities, is because the case with man is this. When a man is kept by the Lord in good and truth, then falsities and evils are removed, and being removed they stand round like a wall, for they cannot enter into the sphere where good and truth are. The reason is, that in good and truth the Lord is present, and the presence of the Lord puts away evil and falsity on every side; for good and truth are absolutely opposite to evil and falsity, and therefore they cannot be together without one destroying the other. But indeed good with truth destroys, that is, removes, evil with falsity, because the former is Divine and consequently has all power, whereas the latter is infernal and consequently has no power. The former acts from things internal, but the latter from things external. When evils with falsities are removed in a man, they as before said stand round like a wall, and are in the perpetual endeavor to rush in; but this they cannot do, because the presence of the Lord, which is in good and truth, wards them off. This is what is signified by the waters being a wall unto them on their left hand and on their right. That man is withheld from evil and falsity by being kept in good and truth by the Lord, see (n. 1581, 2406, 4564). But no one can be withheld from evil and kept in good, unless he has received this capacity by means of the exercise of charity in the world. This is effected by means of a life of good, or a life according to the truths of faith, consequently by means of the affection or love of good. He who by reason of his life has the love and affection of good, can be in the sphere of good and truth; but not he who by his life has put on a nature of evil. EXODUS 14:19-22 previous - next - text - summary - Exodus - Full Page
| Author: E. Swedenborg (1688-1772). | Design: I.J. Thompson, Feb 2002. | www.BibleMeanings.info |