Doctrine of the Lord # 48
48. Because a person’s life varies in accordance with his state, therefore by spirit is meant the varying life’s affection in a person. For example:
1. The life of wisdom:
(Bezalel was filled) with the spirit of wisdom, understanding, and knowledge.... (Exodus 31:3).
You shall speak to all the wise of heart, whom I have filled with the spirit of wisdom.... (Exodus 28:3)
Joshua was filled with the spirit of wisdom (Deuteronomy 34:9).
Nebuchadnezzar said of Daniel that an excellent spirit, of knowledge, understanding and wisdom was found in him (Daniel 5:12, 14).
The erring in spirit will know understanding.... (Isaiah 29:24)
[2] 2. The arousal of life:
Jehovah has stirred up the spirit of the kings of the Medes. (Jeremiah 51:11)
Jehovah stirred up the spirit of Zerubbabel...and the spirit of all the remnant of the people. (Haggai 1:14)
...I am putting (into the king of Assyria) a spirit..., that he may hear a rumor and return to his own land. (Isaiah 37:7)
...Jehovah...hardened (the) spirit (of the king of Sihon).... (Deuteronomy 2:30)
What has come up upon your spirit shall never be.... (Ezekiel 20:32)
[3] 3. Liberty of life: The four creatures, which were cherubim, seen by the prophet went “wherever they had a spirit to go” (Ezekiel 1:12, 20).
[4] 4. Life in a state of fear, distress, and anger:
...that every heart may melt, and all hands be feeble, and every spirit shrink.... (Ezekiel 21:7)
...my spirit was faint within me, my heart within me is stunned.... (Psalms 143:4, cf. 142:3)
My spirit has been consumed! (Psalms 143:7)
As for me, Daniel, my spirit grieved.... (Daniel 7:15)
(Pharaoh’s) spirit was troubled. (Genesis 41:8)
(Nebuchadnezzar said,) “...my spirit is troubled....” (Daniel 2:3)
I went bitterly in the wrath of my spirit. (Ezekiel 3:14)
[5] 5. Life in a state of various evil affections:
“...provided there is no deceit in his spirit.” (Psalms 32:2)
Jehovah has mingled a spirit of perversity in her midst. (Isaiah 19:14)
...said (He)...to the foolish prophets, who follow their own spirit.... (Ezekiel 13:3)
The prophet is a fool, the man of the spirit is insane. (Hosea 9:7)
Be observant by your spirit, and do not deal treacherously. (Malachi 2:16)
...the spirit of harlotry has caused them to stray.... (Hosea 4:12)
...a spirit of harlotry is in their midst.... (Hosea 5:4)
When a spirit of jealousy comes upon him.... (Numbers 5:14)
...a man who is a wanderer in spirit, and he prattles falsehood.... (Micah 2:11)
...a generation...whose spirit was not steadfast with God. (Psalms 78:8)
...poured out on (them) a spirit of drowsiness.... (Isaiah 29:10)
Conceive chaff, bring forth stubble; as for your spirit, fire shall shall devour you. (Isaiah 33:11)
[6] 6. Hellish life:
I will...cause...the unclean spirit to depart from the land. (Zechariah 13:2)
When an unclean spirit goes out of a man, he goes through dry places.... And then he...attaches to himself seven worse spirits than himself, and they enter and dwell there. (Matthew 12:43-45)
...Babylon...has become a dwelling place of...a foul spirit.... (Revelation 18:2)
[7] 7. In addition, the spirits of hell themselves who torment mankind: Matthew 8:16, 10:1, 12:43-45; Mark 1:23-27, 9:17-29; Luke 4:33, 36, 6:17-18, 7:21, 8:2, 29, 9:39, 42, 55, 11:24-26, 13:11; Revelation 13:15, 16:13-14.
Published by the General Church of the New Jerusalem, 1100 Cathedral Road, Bryn Athyn, Pennsylvania 19009, U.S.A. A translation of Doctrina Novae Hierosolymae de Domino, by Emanuel Swedenborg, 1688-1772. Translated from the Original Latin by N. Bruce Rogers. ISBN 9780945003687, Library of Congress Control Number: 2013954074.
Psalms 143
1
Hear my prayer, Yahweh. Listen to my petitions. In your faithfulness and righteousness, relieve me.
2
Don't enter into judgment with your servant, for in your sight no man living is righteous.
3
For the enemy pursues my soul. He has struck my life down to the ground. He has made me live in dark places, as those who have been long dead.
4
Therefore my spirit is overwhelmed within me. My heart within me is desolate.
5
I remember the days of old. I meditate on all your doings. I contemplate the work of your hands.
6
I spread forth my hands to you. My soul thirsts for you, like a parched land. Selah.
7
Hurry to answer me, Yahweh. My spirit fails. Don't hide your face from me, so that I don't become like those who go down into the pit.
8
Cause me to hear your loving kindness in the morning, for I trust in you. Cause me to know the way in which I should walk, for I lift up my soul to you.
9
Deliver me, Yahweh, from my enemies. I flee to you to hide me.
10
Teach me to do your will, for you are my God. Your Spirit is good. Lead me in the land of uprightness.
11
Revive me, Yahweh, for your name's sake. In your righteousness, bring my soul out of trouble.
12
In your loving kindness, cut off my enemies, and destroy all those who afflict my soul, For I am your servant. By David.
