Arcana Coelestia volume 7 - Swedenborg Foundation

ARCANA COELESTIA 4041receive you graciously; “and send you your other brother” signifiesmay it give the good of faith; “and Benjamin” signifies and alsointerior truth; “and I, as I have been bereaved I shall be bereaved”signifies that the church, before these things are done, will be as ifdeprived of its truths.5616. And their father Israel said unto them. That this signifiesperception from spiritual good is evident from the signification of“saying” in the historicals of the Word, as being perception; andfrom the representation of Israel, as being spiritual good (of whichabove, n. 5595). He is called “father” because the truths that hissons represent are from this good as from a father.5617. If therefore this be so, do this. That this signifies that if itcannot be done otherwise so let it be done is evident withoutexplication.5618. Take of the song of the land in your vessels. That this signifiesthe choice things of the church in the truths of faith is evident fromthe signification of the “song” as being the choice things (of whichin what follows); and from the signification of the “land” as beingthe church (of which above, n. 5577); and from the signification of“vessels” as being the truths of faith (n. 3068, 3079, 3316, 3318).The word “song” is used because this word in the original tongue isderived from singing; hence the “song of the land” signifiesproductions hailed with songs and praises, consequently in theinternal sense choice things.5619. And carry down the man a present. That this signifiesobtaining favor is evident from the signification of “offering apresent to the man” here to Joseph, who is called the “lord of theland” as being to obtain favor. It was customary in the ancientrepresentative church, and thence in the Jewish, to give somepresent to judges, and at a later period to kings and priests, whenthey were approached; moreover, this was commanded. The reasonwas that the presents they gave them represented such things inman as ought to be offered to the Lord when he is approached,which are things that are from freedom, consequently from the