Arcana Coelestia volume 7 - Swedenborg Foundation

ARCANA COELESTIA 4000of the Word as being to perceive (of which often above); and fromthe representation of Reuben as being faith in doctrine and in theunderstanding (see n. 3861, 3866, 5472), consequently the thingsof this faith; and from the representation of Jacob, who is here the“father” to whom Reuben spoke, as being the good of truth (n.3659, 3669, 3677, 3775, 4234, 4273, 4538, 5533). From this it isplain that by “Reuben’s speaking to his father” are signified thethings of faith in the understanding perceived from the good oftruth. The reason why Reuben speaks here is that the church istreated of, in which faith in doctrine and in the understandingapparently takes the first place, and also teaches, here what must bedone lest the things of the church be destroyed.5542. Saying, Slay my two sons. That this signifies that neitherkind of faith will live is evident from the signification of the “twosons” of Reuben, as being both kinds of faith; for by Reuben isrepresented faith in doctrine and in the understanding, and his“sons” are the two doctrines of the church, the doctrine of truthand the doctrine of good, or the doctrine of faith and the doctrineof charity. That neither of these things of faith or of the church willlive unless the intermediate represented by Benjamin is conjoined issignified by “Slay my two sons, if I bring him not to thee.” By thesewords Reuben gives confirmation that it will be all over with thechurch, unless there be an intermediate. Unless there were thisinternal sense in these words, Reuben would not have told hisfather to slay his two sons if he brought not Benjamin back; for hewould thereby have proposed to put an end to one family more,which being contrary to all right, would have been infamous. Butthe internal sense teaches us why this was said.5543. If I bring him not to thee. That this signifies unless anintermediate be conjoined is evident from the representation ofBenjamin, who is here meant by “him whom he would bring” asbeing what is intermediate (see n. 5411, 5413, 5443, 5539); andfrom the signification of “bringing” as being to be conjoined.5544. Give him upon my hand. That this signifies so far as was inits power is evident from the signification of the “hand” as being