8557. 'And all the assembly of the children of Israel travelled on' means a further development of spiritual life. This is clear from the meaning of 'travelling on' as a further stage and continuation of life, dealt with in 4375, 4554, 4585, 5996, 8181, 8345, 8397, at this point a further stage or development of spiritual life, that is, an increase of it, which temptations are constantly bringing about. The reason why temptations bring about an increase of spiritual life is that the truths of faith are corroborated by means of them and joined to the good of charity. For the meaning of 'the assembly of the children of Israel' as those who belong to the spiritual Church, see 7830, 7843.

4375. 'He said, Let us travel on and go' means a further stage, that is to say, in the joining together of good and truth. This is clear from the meaning of 'travelling and going' which, it is evident, implies progress towards things that stand further away. For progress and a stage further are contained in the internal sense of the phrases that follow next.