Arcana Coelestia volume 7 - Swedenborg Foundation

ARCANA COELESTIA 4054who says this of himself, as being the church (see n. 3305, 4286);and from the signification of “being bereaved” as being to bedeprived of the truths of the church (see n. 5536). That this is sobefore these things are done is plain, for if there is no good of faithwhich is represented by Simeon (n. 5630), and no interior truth,which is the intermediate represented by Benjamin, the church hasnot any truth, except such as is on the lips merely, and not in theheart.5633. Verses 15–17. And the men took this present, and they tookdouble silver in their hand, and Benjamin; and rose up, and wentdown to Egypt, and stood before Joseph. And Joseph saw Benjaminwith them, and he said to him that was over his house, Bring the mento the house, and slaying slay, and make ready; for the men shall eatwith me at noon. And the man did as Joseph said; and the manbrought the men to Joseph’s house. “And the men took this present”signifies that truths had with them the means for obtaining favor;“and they took double silver in their hand” signifies also truthreceived in the ability; “and Benjamin” signifies and theintermediate also; “and rose up and went down to Egypt” signifieselevation to life to be gained by them from the interior things ofmemory-knowledges; “and stood before Joseph” signifies thepresence of the celestial of the spiritual there; “and Joseph sawBenjamin with them” signifies the perception by the celestial of thespiritual of a spiritual intermediate with truths; “and he said to himthat was over his house” signifies to that which is of the externalchurch; “Bring the men to the house” signifies that the truths inthe natural were to be introduced thither; “and slaying slay andmake ready” signifies through the goods of the exterior natural; “forthe men shall eat with me at noon” signifies that they will beconjoined when with the intermediate; “and the man did as Josephsaid” signifies bringing it about; “and the man brought the men toJoseph’s house” signifies first introduction into the good which isfrom the celestial of the spiritual.5634. And the men took this present. That this signifies that truthshad with them the means for obtaining favor is evident from thesignification of “men” as being truths (n. 3134); and from the