Arcana Coelestia # 367
367. It is unnecessary to confirm these things by similar passages from the Word, except so far as to prove that charity is the “brother” of faith, and that a “field” signifies whatever is of doctrine. That charity is the “brother” of faith is evident to everyone from the nature or essence of faith. This brotherhood was represented by Esau and Jacob, and was the ground of their dispute about the birthright and the consequent dominion. It was also represented by Pharez and Zarah, the sons of Tamar by Judah (Genesis 38:28-29, 30); and by Ephraim and Manasseh (Genesis 48:13-14); and in both of these, as well as in other similar cases, there is a dispute about the primogeniture and the consequent dominion. For both faith and charity are the offspring of the church. Faith is called a “man” as was Cain, in verse 1 of this chapter, and charity is called a “brother” as in Isaiah 19:2; Jeremiah 13:14 and other places. The union of faith and charity is called “the covenant of brethren” (Amos 1:9). Similar to the signification of Cain and Abel, was that of Jacob and Esau, as just said; in that Jacob also was desirous of supplanting his brother Esau, as is evident also in Hosea:
To visit upon Jacob his ways, according to his doings will He recompense him; he supplanted his brother in the womb (Hosea 12:2-3).
But that Esau, or the charity represented by Esau, should nevertheless at length have the dominion, appears from the prophetic prediction of their father Isaac:
By thy sword shalt thou live, and shalt serve thy brother; and it shall come to pass, when thou hast the dominion, that thou shalt break his yoke from off thy neck (Genesis 27:40).Or what is the same, the Church of the Gentiles, or new church, is represented by Esau, and the Jewish Church is represented by Jacob; and this is the reason for its being so often said that the Jews should acknowledge the Gentiles as brethren; and in the Church of the Gentiles, or primitive church, all were called brethren, from charity. Such as hear the Word and do it are likewise called brethren by the Lord (Luke 8:21); those who hear are such as have faith; those who do are such as have charity; but those who hear, or say that they have faith, and do not, or have not charity, are not brethren, for the Lord likens them unto fools (Matthew 7:24, 26).
Hosea 12
1
Ephraim feeds on wind, and chases the east wind. He continually multiplies lies and desolation. They make a covenant with Assyria, and oil is carried into Egypt.
2
Yahweh also has a controversy with Judah, and will punish Jacob according to his ways; according to his deeds he will repay him.
3
In the womb he took his brother by the heel; and in his manhood he contended with God.
4
Indeed, he struggled with the angel, and prevailed; he wept, and made supplication to him. He found him at Bethel, and there he spoke with us,
5
even Yahweh, the God of Armies; Yahweh is his name of renown!
6
Therefore turn to your God. Keep kindness and justice, and wait continually for your God.
7
A merchant has dishonest scales in his hand. He loves to defraud.
8
Ephraim said, "Surely I have become rich, I have found myself wealth. In all my wealth they won't find in me any iniquity that is sin."
9
"But I am Yahweh your God from the land of Egypt. I will yet again make you dwell in tents, as in the days of the solemn feast.
10
I have also spoken to the prophets, and I have multiplied visions; and by the ministry of the prophets I have used parables.
11
If Gilead is wicked, surely they are worthless. In Gilgal they sacrifice bulls. Indeed, their altars are like heaps in the furrows of the field.
12
Jacob fled into the country of Aram, and Israel served to get a wife, and for a wife he tended flocks and herds.
13
By a prophet Yahweh brought Israel up out of Egypt, and by a prophet he was preserved.
14
Ephraim has bitterly provoked anger. Therefore his blood will be left on him, and his Lord will repay his contempt.
