22. 20. (The Lord is described as to the Word appearing above the expanse of the cherubim (Ezekiel 1:26-28), and is called the Lord Jehovih (Ezekiel 2:4; 3:11, 27; 4:14; 5:7-8, 11; 6:3, 11; 7:2, 5; 8:1 seq.). Then he is called the God of Israel (8:4, especially 11:22-23).

I will raise up one shepherd over them, who shall feed them, My servant David. I, Jehovah, will be a God to them, and My servant David a prince in the midst of them. Then will I destroy for them the covenant of peace (Ezekiel 34:23-25).

My servant David shall be king over them, and they all shall have one shepherd. And I will make a covenant of peace with them; it shall be an everlasting covenant with them, and I will set My sanctuary in the midst of them to eternity. Thus shall My habitation be with them; and I will be God to them, moreover they shall be a people to Me (Ezekiel 37:24-25). Throughout the chapter the regeneration of man in the New Church is treated of, for this is meant by the dry bones, and by the two sticks which were one.

In that day will I make a covenant with the beast of the field and with the bird of the heavens, and I will break war from the earth, and make them to lie down securely. And I will betroth thee unto Me for ever, and I will betroth thee unto Me in justice and in judgment and in mercy, and I will betroth thee unto Me in faithfulness, and thou shalt know Jehovah. And it shall be in that day that I will hear the heavens, and they shall hear the earth (Hosea 2:18-21).

I have consecrated their gain, and their wealth unto the Lord of the whole earth (Micah 4:13).

(Thou, Bethlehem Ephratah, though thou art little among the thousands of Judah, out of thee shall one come forth unto Me, that is to be ruler in Israel; whose goings forth have been from of old, from the days of eternity. Then shall he stand and feed in the strength of Jehovah, in the excellency of the name of his God; and they shall abide; for now shall he increase unto the ends of the earth (Micah 5:2-4). He will give them until the time, until the remnant of his brethren shall return unto the sons of Israel (verse 2). Concerning the New Church (4:5, seq.).)

3876. 'For I have borne him three sons' means that which happens next. This is clear from what has been stated above in 3871. That which happens next, meant here by 'three sons', is the arrival of charity. For when a person is being regenerated, that is, becoming the Church, the first thing is his need to know and understand what the truth of faith is; the second is his determination to will and do it; and the third comes when he has an affection for it. When a person has an affection for truth, that is, when he experiences delight and blessing in acting in accordance with truth, charity or mutual love has arrived in him. This next stage is what is meant here by 'I have borne him three sons'.