The word “corn” can be a bit tricky when looking at spiritual meanings, because there are two different Hebrew words with different meanings which are both often translated as “corn.” The Hebrew dawgawn is used to mean grain in general, and shehber is used to mean food that is for sale, or that is shared in common. Dawgawn, or “grain,” relates to the desire to be good. You can read more about that at the entry on corn/grain. Shehber – the English “rations” might be the best translation – is used in the Bible primarily in relationship to famine, and the need to buy or share food. It comes up several times in the stories of Jacob’s sons traveling to Egypt to buy food from Joseph. According to Swedenborg, shehber represents the basic spiritual ideas that can keep us going when we feel lost, when we’re struggling to have an idea of the Lord and what we should do in our own lives. At such times we may need to “buy” such ideas, just as Jacob’s sons bought corn from Joseph – we may need to seek help from people we trust. Something as simple as a friend saying “hang in there; it will get better” might be enough to keep us going until things get clearer again.