143. Internal Meaning of Ezekiel, Chapter 20 (11)

Successive states of the Jewish church. (2, 11)

1-3 Those who are of the Jewish church worship the Lord with the mouth and not with the heart. (2, 11)

4 The first of them, that is, their fathers. (2)

4-9 They worshipped other gods, and did not depart from them, however much admonished, because they were natural external; this concerning them when in Egypt. (2)

10-12 They were let into temptations, and then instructed. Also, respecting conjunction of the Lord with the church. (2)

13 And they cannot even thus be brought to the worship of the Lord. (2)

14-17 Although they were of such a character, yet they were not cast off. (2)

18-20 Their offspring were instructed in like manner. (2, 6)

21-24 They in like manner reprobated all things of the church. (2)

25-26 In consequence they had representatives different from the former good ones, because they had profaned them; this concerning them in the wilderness. (2)

27-29 When they had been introduced into the land of Canaan, they worshipped other gods in every way. (2)

30-31 They profaned things holy. (2)

32-36 They are to be cast out of the church, because they have been such from the beginning. (2, 3)

37-39 They will not return to the church, but will be among the profaners of the holy things of the church. (3)

40-42 A new church will be instituted, which will worship the Lord, (11)

43-44 and they will acknowledge their evils, and at the same time the Lord's mercy. (11)

The church has perished by reason of falsities. (3)

45-46 An external or natural church, which is able to be in the light of truth. (3)

47-48 It is destroyed by evil love. (3)

49, 1-3 It is the Jewish nation, which is here further treated of. (3)