157. Internal Meaning of Ezekiel, Chapter 34

1-4 Respecting teachers who regard their own good only, and not the good of the church. (2)

5-6 In consequence those who are of the church come into an evil life. (2)

7-10 Being such, everything of the church is taken from them. (3)

11-16 When the Lord comes into the world He will gather the church together, and will teach it Divine truths. (11, 11)

16-17 The evil among them He will separate. (3, 11)

18-20 Evil shepherds destroy everything of the church, (3)

21 and destroy the simple. (3, 6)

22-25 When the Lord comes He will teach and save these. (1, 11)

26-31 He will both teach them and protect them from falsities, and they will acknowledge Him. (11)

45. This was how people who lived in most ancient times envisaged matters of the understanding and those of the will. Among the Prophets therefore, and consistently throughout the Old Testament Word, like matters are represented by various kinds of living creatures. There are two kinds of beasts - evil ones, because they are harmful, and good ones, because they are gentle. Evil [and harmful] things in man were meant by such beasts as bears, wolves, and dogs, while good and gentle things were meant by beasts such as calves, sheep, and lambs. As the subject here is those persons who are to be regenerated, 'the beasts' are good and gentle ones, which mean affections. Things of a baser nature that derive from the body are called 'wild animals of the earth'. These are desires and pleasures.