Arcana Coelestia volume 7 - Swedenborg Foundation

ARCANA COELESTIA 3609If the master of the house had known in what hour the thief wouldcome, he would at least have watched, and would not have suffered hishouse to be broken through (Luke 12:39).From henceforth there shall be five in one house [divided], threeagainst two, and two against three. The father shall be divided againstthe son, and the son against the father; the mother against the daughter,and the daughter against the mother (Luke 12:52–53);where the subject treated of is the spiritual combats into whichthose who are of the church will come, after the internal or spiritualthings of the Word have been opened. The “house” denotes man,or his mind; “father,” “mother,” “son,” and “daughter” are goodsand truths with their affections, and in the opposite sense evils andfalsities with their affections, from which and with which there iscombat.[5] The Lord’s command to his disciples:Into whatsoever house ye enter, first say, Peace be to this house;and if a son of peace be there, your peace shall rest upon it; but if not, itshall return upon you; but remain in the same house; eat and drinkwhat they have; pass not from house to house (Luke 10:5–7);represented that they should abide in good itself, that is, in thegood of love to the Lord and of charity toward the neighbor, andnot pass into any other. (That man or his mind is a “house” may beseen also above, n. 3538, 4973.)5024. And she spoke unto him according to these words. That thissignifies false speaking is evident from what follows; for the thingswhich she told her husband are falsities.5025. Saying, The Hebrew servant whom thou hast brought unto us,came unto me. That this signifies that servant is evident from whatwas said above (see n. 5013); here by that servant is meant spiritualtruth and good, which here is “Joseph,” and which appears to thenatural not spiritual as a servant. For example, spiritual truth andgood desire that a man should not take pleasure in dignities or inany preeminence over others, but in services rendered to his