Arcana Coelestia # 9857
9857. 'And you shall make a breastplate of judgement' means that which has regard to Divine Truth shining forth from Divine Good. This is clear from the meaning of 'a breastplate' as Divine Truth shining forth from the Lord's Divine Good within last and lowest things, dealt with in 9823. It is called 'a breastplate of judgement' because it gave answers, and through these Divine Truth was revealed; furthermore Divine Truth, and therefore doctrinal teachings and a life in accord with them, is meant in the Word by 'judgement'. This then is why this breastplate is referred to as 'the breastplate of judgement', and also further on in this chapter as 'the judgement', in verse 30 - 'Aaron shall carry the judgement of the children of Israel over his heart before Jehovah continually'. And when Joshua was chosen to be leader of the people, it says that he was to stand before Eleazar the priest, who would inquire for him by the judgement of the Urim before Jehovah, Numbers 27:21.
[2] 'Judgement' means Divine Truth and intelligence springing from It, as a consequence of which it means religious teachings and a life in accord with them. This is clear from a large number of places in the Word, such as the following: In Isaiah,
The vineyard of Jehovah Zebaoth is the house of Israel. He looked for judgement, but behold, festering; for righteousness, but behold, a cry. Isaiah 5:7.
'Looking for judgement' means intelligence springing from Divine Truth, and a life in accord with the commandments. In the same prophet,
On the throne there sat in truthfulness, in the tabernacle of David, one who judges and seeks judgement. Isaiah 16:5.
This refers to the Lord's Coming. 'The throne' on which He is going to sit means Divine Truth that emanates from Him, and consequently means the spiritual kingdom, see 2129, 5313, 6397, 8625, 9039. 'Judging judgement' means teaching Divine Truth, and 'seeking judgement' people's acceptance of it.
[3] In the same prophet,
On that day Jehovah will be a tiara of beauty for the remnant of His people, and a spirit of judgement to him who sits in judgement. Isaiah 28:5-6.
'A tiara of beauty', when these words have reference to Jehovah, that is, the Lord, means Divine Intelligence, see above in 9827; and 'a spirit of judgement' means wisdom that springs from Divine Truth, 9818. 'To him who sits in judgement' means one who informs people about or teaches Divine Truth. In the same prophet,
Jehovah has filled Zion with judgement and righteousness. Isaiah 33:5.
'Zion' stands for the celestial Church, 'being filled with judgement' for intelligence that springs from Divine Truth, and 'being filled with righteousness' for wisdom that comes from Divine Good.
[4] In the same prophet,
Who has directed the Spirit of Jehovah? With whom did He deliberate, that He might make Him intelligent, and instruct Him in the way of judgement, and teach Him knowledge, and show Him the way of intelligence? Isaiah 40:13-14.
'The Spirit of Jehovah' means Divine Truth, 9818. 'Instructing Him in the way of judgement' self-evidently means making him knowledgeable, intelligent, and wise. In Jeremiah,
The stork in the sky knows her appointed times, but Jehovah's people do not know the judgement of Jehovah. How can you say, We are wise, and the law of Jehovah is with us? Jeremiah 8:7-8.
'Not knowing the judgement of Jehovah' stands for ignorance of Divine Truth, the source of wisdom; and this is why it says, 'How can you say, We are wise?'
[5] In the same prophet,
Woe to him who builds his house without righteousness, and his upper rooms without judgement! Jeremiah 22:13.
'Building upper rooms without judgement' stands for absorbing ideas that are not true. In Hosea,
I will betroth you to Me forever in righteousness and in judgement, and I will betroth you to Me in truth. Hosea 2:19-20.
'Betrothing in judgement' stands for joining by means of Divine Truth, thus by means of faith and the life of faith. In Amos,
Let judgement flow like water, and righteousness like a mighty torrent. Amos 5:24.
In the same prophet,
You have turned judgement into poison and the fruit of righteousness into wormwood. Amos 6:12.
Here also 'judgement' stands for intelligence that springs from Divine Truth, and for a life based on this.
[6] In Zephaniah,
Jehovah in the morning will bring His judgement to light. Zephaniah 3:5.
'Bringing judgement to light' stands for revealing Divine Truth. In Moses,
All the ways of Jehovah are judgement. Deuteronomy 32:4.
In David,
O Jehovah, Your truth reaches up to the skies, Your righteousness is like the mountains of God, Your judgements [like] the great abyss. Psalms 36:5-6.
In the same author,
Jehovah will bring forth your righteousness as the light, and your judgement as the noonday. Psalms 37:6.
In the same author,
Hear my voice according to Your mercy; O Jehovah, revive me according to Your judgements. Psalms 119:149.
In these places 'judgement' and 'judgements' stand for Divine Truth.
[7] In Luke,
Woe to you Pharisees! You pass by the judgement and the love of God. These you ought to have done. Luke 11:42.
'Passing by the judgement of God' stands for shunning Divine Truth, and 'passing by the love of God' for shunning Divine Good and a life inspired by them both. The fact that this life is also meant accounts for their being told, These you ought to have done. In Isaiah,
Jehovah Zebaoth will be exalted in judgement, and God will be made holy in righteousness. Isaiah 5:16.
In the same author,
... upon the throne of David to establish the kingdom in judgement and in righteousness, from now and even for evermore. Isaiah 9:7.
In the same author,
Give counsel, execute judgement, set your shade like the night in the middle of the day. Isaiah 16:3.
'Executing judgement' stands for acting in accordance with God's truth.
[8] In Jeremiah,
I will raise up for David a righteous branch, who will execute judgement and righteousness in the land. Jeremiah 23:5; 33:15.
In Ezekiel,
If a man has been righteous, one who has executed judgement and righteousness ... [if he] walks in My statutes, and keeps My judgements, to execute truth, he is righteous; he will surely live. Ezekiel 18:5, 9.
In Zephaniah,
Seek Jehovah, O all the meek of the earth, who have executed His judgement. Zephaniah 2:3.
'Executing God's judgement' stands for carrying out Divine Truth or acting in accord with it. In Isaiah,
I have put My Spirit upon Him; He will bring forth judgement to the nations. He will not quench nor will He break until He has set judgement on the earth. Isaiah 42:1, 4.
This refers to the Lord. 'Bringing forth judgement to the nations' and 'setting judgement on the earth' stand for teaching Divine Truth and establishing it in the Church.
[9] In the same prophet,
Law will go out from Me, and I will raise up My judgement to be the light of peoples. Isaiah 51:4.
'Judgement' stands for Divine Truth, 'to be the light of peoples' for to bring enlightenment. In John,
For judgement I came 1 into this world, that those who do not see may see, but those who see may become blind. John 9:39.
'Coming into the world for judgement' stands for coming to reveal Divine Truth, which gives people vision if the Lord is the source of their wisdom, but makes them blind if they themselves are the source of it and on account of this are reputed to be learned.
[10] In Jeremiah,
Swear by the living Jehovah, in truth, in judgement, and in righteousness. Jeremiah 4:2.
In the same prophet,
There is none judging judgement for healthiness; you have no restorative medicaments. Jeremiah 30:13.
In David,
Righteousness and judgement are the support of Your throne; mercy and truth will stand firm before Your face. Psalms 89:14.
'Righteousness' stands for the good that belongs to mercy, and 'judgement' for the truth that belongs to faith, which is why the expression 'mercy and truth' is also used. In Ezekiel,
Jerusalem has changed My judgements into wickedness more than the nations, and My statutes more than the lands. Therefore I will execute in you [My] judgements in the eyes of the nations, and I will scatter all your remnant. Ezekiel 5:6-8, 10, 15.
'Changing judgements' stands for altering truths as they exist in the civic state, these truths being meant by 'judgements' when 'statutes' are also mentioned, see 8972. But 'executing judgements' means passing judgement that points to death, which is damnation, or to life, which is salvation. Salvation or damnation is also meant by 'judgement' when the expression 'day of judgement' or 'hour of judgement' is used, for example in Matthew 11:22, 24; 12:36, 41-42; Luke 10:14; 11:31-32; John 5:28-29; Revelation 14:7; 18:10. The same thing is also meant by 'judgement' when judgement-making is referred to, for example in Matthew 5:21-22; 7:1-2; 23:14, 33; John 5:24, 26-27; 7:24; 8:15-16; 12:31, 47-48; Luke 6:37; 12:13-14, 56-57; 19:21-22; 20:47; 22:30; Mark 12:40; Isaiah 3:14; 41:1; Jeremiah 25:31; 48:21; Joel 3:12; Psalms 7:7-8; 9:4, 7-8; Leviticus 19:15; Deuteronomy 1:16-17; 25:1; Revelation 17:1; 18:10; 20:12-13.
Poznámky pod čarou:
1. The Latin means I come but the Greek means I came, which Swedenborg Has in other places where he quotes this verse.
John 7
1
After these things Jesus walked in Galilee: for he would not walk in Jewry, because the Jews sought to kill him.
2
Now the Jews' feast of tabernacles was at hand.
3
His brethren therefore said unto him, Depart hence, and go into Judaea, that thy disciples also may see the works that thou doest.
4
For there is no man that doeth any thing in secret, and he himself seeketh to be known openly. If thou do these things, shew thyself to the world.
5
For neither did his brethren believe in him.
6
Then Jesus said unto them, My time is not yet come: but your time is alway ready.
7
The world cannot hate you; but me it hateth, because I testify of it, that the works thereof are evil.
8
Go ye up unto this feast: I Go not up yet unto this feast; for my time is not yet full come.
9
When he had said these words unto them, he abode still in Galilee.
10
But when his brethren were gone up, then went he also up unto the feast, not openly, but as it were in secret.
11
Then the Jews sought him at the feast, and said, Where is he?
12
And there was much murmuring among the people concerning him: for some said, He is a good man: others said, Nay; but he deceiveth the people.
13
Howbeit no man spake openly of him for fear of the Jews.
14
Now about the midst of the feast Jesus went up into the temple, and taught.
15
And the Jews marvelled, saying, How knoweth this man letters, having never learned?
16
Jesus answered them, and said, My doctrine is not mine, but his that sent me.
17
If any man will do his will, he shall know of the doctrine, whether it be of God, or whether I speak of myself.
18
He that speaketh of himself seeketh his own glory: but he that seeketh his glory that sent him, the same is true, and no unrighteousness is in him.
19
Did not Moses give you the law, and yet none of you keepeth the law? Why go ye about to kill me?
20
The people answered and said, Thou hast a devil: who goeth about to kill thee?
21
Jesus answered and said unto them, I have done one work, and ye all marvel.
22
Moses therefore gave unto you circumcision; (not because it is of Moses, but of the fathers;) and ye on the sabbath day circumcise a man.
23
If a man on the sabbath day receive circumcision, that the law of Moses should not be broken; are ye angry at me, because I have made a man every whit whole on the sabbath day?
24
Judge not according to the appearance, but judge righteous judgment.
25
Then said some of them of Jerusalem, Is not this he, whom they seek to kill?
26
But, lo, he speaketh boldly, and they say nothing unto him. Do the rulers know indeed that this is the very Christ?
27
Howbeit we know this man whence he is: but when Christ cometh, no man knoweth whence he is.
28
Then cried Jesus in the temple as he taught, saying, Ye both know me, and ye know whence I am: and I am not come of myself, but he that sent me is true, whom ye know not.
29
But I know him: for I am from him, and he hath sent me.
30
Then they sought to take him: but no man laid hands on him, because his hour was not yet come.
31
And many of the people believed on him, and said, When Christ cometh, will he do more miracles than these which this man hath done?
32
The Pharisees heard that the people murmured such things concerning him; and the Pharisees and the chief priests sent officers to take him.
33
Then said Jesus unto them, Yet a little while am I with you, and then I go unto him that sent me.
34
Ye shall seek me, and shall not find me: and where I am, thither ye cannot come.
35
Then said the Jews among themselves, Whither will he go, that we shall not find him? will he go unto the dispersed among the Gentiles, and teach the Gentiles?
36
What manner of saying is this that he said, Ye shall seek me, and shall not find me: and where I am, thither ye cannot come?
37
In the last day, that great day of the feast, Jesus stood and cried, saying, If any man thirst, let him come unto me, and drink.
38
He that believeth on me, as the scripture hath said, out of his belly shall flow rivers of living water.
39
(But this spake he of the Spirit, which they that believe on him should receive: for the Holy Ghost was not yet given; because that Jesus was not yet glorified.)
40
Many of the people therefore, when they heard this saying, said, Of a truth this is the Prophet.
41
Others said, This is the Christ. But some said, Shall Christ come out of Galilee?
42
Hath not the scripture said, That Christ cometh of the seed of David, and out of the town of Bethlehem, where David was?
43
So there was a division among the people because of him.
44
And some of them would have taken him; but no man laid hands on him.
45
Then came the officers to the chief priests and Pharisees; and they said unto them, Why have ye not brought him?
46
The officers answered, Never man spake like this man.
47
Then answered them the Pharisees, Are ye also deceived?
48
Have any of the rulers or of the Pharisees believed on him?
49
But this people who knoweth not the law are cursed.
50
Nicodemus saith unto them, (he that came to Jesus by night, being one of them,)
51
Doth our law judge any man, before it hear him, and know what he doeth?
52
They answered and said unto him, Art thou also of Galilee? Search, and look: for out of Galilee ariseth no prophet.
