8755. 'And they travelled from Rephidim' means a continuation of life from the first state. This is clear from the meaning of 'travelling' as a Edom, continuation of life, dealt with in 4375, 4554, 4585, 5996, 8181, 8345, 8397, 8557; and from the meaning of 'Rephidim' as the essential nature of the state of a temptation that has to do with truth dealt with in 8561, thus the essential nature of the first state referred to immediately above in 8754. For in that first state a member of the spiritual Church undergoes temptations. Therefore from that first state there is a continuation of life, and this is meant by 'travelling from Rephidim'.

8557. 'And all the assembly of the children of Israel travelled on' means a further development of spiritual life. This is clear from the meaning of 'travelling on' as a further stage and continuation of life, dealt with in 4375, 4554, 4585, 5996, 8181, 8345, 8397, at this point a further stage or development of spiritual life, that is, an increase of it, which temptations are constantly bringing about. The reason why temptations bring about an increase of spiritual life is that the truths of faith are corroborated by means of them and joined to the good of charity. For the meaning of 'the assembly of the children of Israel' as those who belong to the spiritual Church, see 7830, 7843.