Spiritual Meaning of GENESIS 29:7-8
[2] The case is the same in general with the church when it is being set up again-the doctrinal things of good and truth must be collected into a one, for it is on these that it is built. Moreover doctrinal things have a connection with and mutual respect to each other, and therefore unless they are first collected into a one, there will be a defect, and that which is lacking must be supplied by man’s rational; and how blind and illusory this is in spiritual and Divine things, when its conclusions are from itself, has been abundantly shown above. For this reason there has been given to the church the Word, which contains all the doctrinal things of good and truth. In this regard, with a man who is being regenerated, the case is the same with the church in general as it is with the church in particular; for such a man is the church in particular. That the doctrinal things of good and truth which belong to the church must needs first be together in a man before he is regenerated, has been shod above. This then is what is signified in the internal sense by "Behold as yet the lay is great, it is not time for the cattle to be gathered together."
. Water ye the flock, and go and feed them. That this signifies instruction therefrom to a few, is evident from the signification of " watering the flock," as being to instruct from the Word (n. 3772); and from the signification of the words, "go and feed them," as being the derivative life and doctrine. "To go" signifies life, (n. 3335, 3690); and "to feed" signifies doctrine, (n. 343). The arcanum which here lies hidden is that there are few who ever arrive at a full state (n. 2636); thus who can be regenerated. . And they said, We cannot, until all the droves are gathered together. That this signifies that they ought to be together, is evident from the signification of "gathering," as being to be made into a one, that is, to be together, as above (n. 3786); and from the signification of "droves," as being doctrinal things (n. 3767, 3768). What these words imply may be seen from what was said above (n. 3786, 3787). . And they rolled the stone from the well‘s mouth. That this signifies that thus the things which are of the Word are disclosed, is evident from the signification of "rolling away the stone," as being to be disclosed (n. 3769, 3771, 3773); and from the signification of the "well," as being the Word (n. 3424, 3765). . Then shall we water the flock. That this signifies that in this case they are instructed, is evident from the signification of "watering the flock," as being to instruct (n. 3772, 3787). This is also manifest from what goes before. GENESIS 29:7-8 previous - next - text - summary - Genesis - Full Page
Author: E. Swedenborg (1688-1772). | Design: I.J. Thompson, Feb 2002. | www.BibleMeanings.info |