4542. When thou fleddest from before Esau thy brother. That this signifies when truth was set before good, is evident from the representation of Esau, as being the Divine good of the Lord’s Divine natural (see n. 3322, 3494, 3504, 3576, 3599). That the signification is when truth was set before good, may be seen from the explications given about Jacob (Genesis 27), when he fled before Esau, for the cause of his flight was that Jacob had taken away the birthright from Esau, by which is signified that truth had set itself before good; for Jacob there represents the truth of the Lord’s natural, and Esau its good. The reason why truth had set itself before good was that when anyone is being regenerated, truth is apparently in the first place; but after he has been regenerated, good is in the first place and truth is in a secondary place (see n. 3324, 3539, 3548, 3556, 3563, 3570, 3576, 3603, 3610, 3701, 4243, 4244, 4247, 4337). Hence it is, that “when thou fleddest from before Esau thy brother” signifies when truth was set before good.

219. That by the “voice of Jehovah God going to itself in the garden” is meant an internal dictate of which they were afraid, is evident from the signification of “voice” in the Word, where the “voice of Jehovah” is used to designate the Word itself, the doctrine of faith, conscience or a taking notice inwardly, and also every reproof thence resulting; whence it is that thunders are called the “voices of Jehovah” as in John:

The angel cried with a loud voice, as a lion roareth, and when he had cried seven thunders uttered their voices (Revelation 10:3), denoting that there was then a voice both external and internal. Again:

In the days of the voice of the seventh angel the mystery of God shall be consummated (Revelation 10:7).

In David:

Sing unto God, sing praises unto the Lord, who rideth upon the heavens of heavens which were of old; lo, He shall send out His voice, a voice of strength (Psalms 78:32, 33).

The “heavens of heavens which were of old” denote the wisdom of the Most Ancient Church; “voice” revelation, and also an internal dictate. Again:

The voice of Jehovah is upon the waters; the voice of Jehovah is in power; the voice of Jehovah is in glory; the voice of Jehovah breaketh the cedars; the voice of Jehovah divideth the flames of fire; the voice of Jehovah maketh the wilderness to shake; the voice of Jehovah maketh the hinds to calve, and uncovereth the forests (Psalms 29:3-5 and Psalms 7, 8, 9).

And in Isaiah:

Jehovah shall cause the excellency of His voice to be heard, for through the voice of Jehovah shall Asshur be beaten down (Isaiah 30:30-31).