8169. Because it is good for us to serve the Egyptians, rather than that we should die in the wilderness. That this signifies that damnation by the violence of falsity in a state of infestations was to be preferred to the damnation which comes by yielding in a state of temptations, is evident from the signification of “to be good rather than that,” as being that it was to be preferred; from the signification of “serving the Egyptians,” as being a yielding to the falsities of the infesters; for “to serve” signifies subjugation (see n. 6666, 6670, 6671), thus a yielding, here to the falsities of the infesters; from the signification of “dying,” as being damnation (n. 8165); and from the signification of “the wilderness,” as being a state of undergoing temptations (n. 8098). From all this it is evident that by “it is good for us to serve the Egyptians, rather than that we should die in the wilderness,” is signified that to yield to falsities when they were infested would be preferable to yielding in temptations. Moreover it is true that to yield in the former state is preferable to yielding in the latter; for to yield in temptations is to be confirmed in falsities and evils against the truths and goods of faith; whereas to yield in a state of infestations is to be confirmed in falsities and evils, yet not manifestly against the truths and goods of faith. Hence it is evident that in yielding in temptations there is a blaspheming of truth and good, and sometimes profanation; and the greatest and most direful damnation of all is that which comes from profanation.