8681. 'And Aaron and all the elders of Israel came' means the things which in the Church are primary. This is clear from the representation of 'Aaron' as the truth contained in doctrinal teachings, dealt with in 6998, 7009, 7089, 7382; and from the representation of 'the elders of Israel' as the chief truths of the Church that accord with good, dealt with in 6524, 8578, 8585 - for 'Israel' means the Church, 8645.

7382. 'Stretch out your hand with your rod' means the power of inward truth directed through outward truth. This is clear from the meaning of 'hand' as spiritual power, which belongs to inward truth, and from the representation of 'rod' as natural power, which belongs to outward truth, both dealt with in 6947, 6948. For the fact that all power in the spiritual world belongs to truth, see 3091, 3787, 4931, 6344, 6423, 6948. Since 'Moses' represents inward law, which is the same as inward truth, and 'Aaron' represents outward law, which is the same as outward truth, and since inward truth flows into outward truth and gives it power, 7381, Moses' word of command to Aaron 'stretch out your hand with your rod' means the power of inward truth directed through outward truth.