3111. Tell me I pray is there room in thy father’s house for us to pass the night? That this signifies exploration concerning the good of charity, is evident from the signification of “tell me I pray is there,” as being exploration; from the signification of a “house,” as being good (see n. 2048, 2233, 2331); and from the signification of “father,” in this case, Bethuel, as being the good of charity such as there is with the better Gentiles (see n. 2865)—the very origin of the affection of truth represented by Rebekah being from such good-and from the signification of “room to pass the night,” as being a state of “abiding” (see below, n. 3115).

[2] That there is in the internal sense a description of the exploration concerning the origin of the affection of truth as to innocence and the good of charity, is for the reason that the truth which is to be initiated and conjoined with good derives its first origin from no other source, as may be seen from all those with whom truth is received and wedded to good. Within the church, they who have not some measure of innocence and of charity toward the neighbor, howsoever they may be acquainted with truth and profess it with the lips, yet in no wise do they acknowledge it at heart. Outside of the church, among the Gentiles who are called to the truth of faith, or are instructed concerning it in the other life, no others receive it than those who are in innocence, and who live together in mutual charity; for innocence and charity produce the ground in which the seeds of faith can take root and grow.