10669. In plowing and in harvest thou shall rest. That this signifies in respect to the implanting of truth in good and its reception is evident from the signification of “plowing,” as being the implanting of truth in good (of which below); and from the signification of “harvest,” as being the reception of truth in good. That “harvest” has this signification is because by the “standing crop” is signified truth in conception (n. 9146); by the “ear,” the containant truth; and by “wheat and barley in the ear” the recipient good, and also the received good. Here however there is meant that the man’s labor in connection with this will cease, for it is said, “in plowing and in harvest thou shalt rest.” For by “rest on the Sabbath day” is signified the second state of regeneration, when the man is in peace, and is in heaven, and is led by the Lord, because then these things come without the man’s labor and exertion. (That “harvest” denotes the reception of truth by good may be seen in n. 9295; and that “the Sabbath” denotes the state of peace when the man is led by the Lord, see at the places cited in n. 10668.)

[2] That “plowing” signifies the implanting of truth in good, is because by “field” is signified the church in respect to good, thus also the good of the church; and by the “seed” which is sown is signified the truth of faith. (That “field” denotes the church as to good, see n. 2971, 3196, 3310, 3317, 7502, 9139, 9141, 9295; and that “seed” denotes the truth of faith, n. 1940, 3310, 3373, 3671, 6158)

[3] In the Word frequent mention is made of “earth,” “ground,” “field,” “seed time,” “harvest,” “standing crop,” “threshing-floor,” “grain,” “wheat,” “barley,” and these there signify such things as belong to the setting up of the church, and to the regeneration of the man who is in the church; thus such as bear relation to the truth of faith and to the good of love, from which is the church. That such things are signified is from correspondence, for all things in the earth, even those in its vegetable kingdom, correspond to spiritual things that are in heaven, as is very evident from the things there presented to view. For in heaven there appear fields, fallow lands, plains, beds of flowers, harvests, groves, and other like things, such as are on the earth; and it is there known that the things of heaven, and thus of the church, appear in this way before their eyes.

[4] One who is reading the Word believes that such things in it are merely comparisons, but be it known that they are real correspondences, as for example these in Isaiah:

Hearken, and hear ye My voice. Shall the plowman plow all day to sow? Shall he open and harrow his ground? When he hath made plain the faces thereof, doth he not scatter the fitches, and sow broadcast the cummin? So doth he set again the measured wheat, and the appointed barley, and the settled spelt thereof. So doth He instruct him unto judgment, his God doth teach him (Isaiah 28:23-26).

These things appear like comparisons; but they are real correspondences, by which are described the reformation and the regeneration of the man of the church; and therefore it is also said, “so doth He instruct him unto judgment, his God doth teach him.” “To instruct unto judgment” denotes to give him intelligence, for by “judgment” is signified the intelligence of truth (n. 2235); and “to teach him,” when this is done by God, denotes to give him wisdom. From this it can be seen what is meant by “plowing,” “harrowing,” “scattering the fitches,” “sowing broadcast the cummin,” “setting again the wheat, barley, and spelt;” namely, that “to plow” denotes to implant truth in good; “fitches” and “cummin” denote memory-knowledges, because these are the first things which are learned in order that man may receive intelligence. (That “wheat” denotes the good of love of the internal man may be seen in n. 7605; that “barley” denotes the good of love of the external man, in n. 7602; and that “spelt” denotes the truth of it, in n. 7605)

[5] That “plowing” (not from comparison, but from correspondence) signifies the first of the church in general and also in particular, with everyone who is being regenerated, or who is becoming the church, is evident from these words in Moses:

Thou shalt not sow thy vineyard intermixedly. Thou shalt not plow with an ox and an ass together. Thou shalt not wear a mixed garment of wool and linen together (Deuteronomy 22:9-11).

These words involve that states of good and of truth must not be jumbled together; for a “vineyard” denotes the church as to truth; and a “field,” the church as to good; “to plow with an ox” denotes to prepare by means of good; “to plow with an ass” denotes to prepare by means of truth; “wool” also denotes good; and “linen,” truth. For the case is this. Those who are in the Lord’s celestial kingdom are in a state of good; whereas those who are in His spiritual kingdom are in a state of truth; and he who is in the one, cannot be in the other. Who cannot see that the above words signify deeper things; for otherwise what evil could there be in sowing a vineyard intermixedly; or in plowing with an ox and an ass together; or in wearing a garment made of wool and linen mixed together?

2935. That he may give me the cave of Machpelah. That this signifies obscurity of faith, is evident from the signification of a “cave,” as being what is obscure (see n. 2463); and from the signification of “Machpelah,” as being faith that is in obscurity. A “cave” signifies obscurity because it is a dark place; when a “cave of a mountain” is spoken of, it then means obscurity of good; but when it is said the “cave of the field of Machpelah,” it then means obscurity of truth. As it is here said, the “cave of Machpelah,” and Machpelah was where there was a field at the end of which was the cave, obscurity of truth is here meant, or what is the same, obscurity of faith; and hence also it is plain that “Machpelah” means faith which is in obscurity.

[2] Those who are being regenerated and being made spiritual are in the greatest obscurity as to truth. Good indeed flows in with them from the Lord, but not so much truth; wherefore between the Lord and the good with man there exist parallelism and correspondence, but not with the truth (see n. 1832). The primary cause of this is that those here treated of do not know what good is; and even if they should know, still they do not believe from the heart; and so long as good is in obscurity with them, so long is truth, for all truth is from good. But to make this more clear: They know only very obscurely that the Lord is good itself, and that all is good which is of love to Him and of charity toward the neighbor, and that all is truth which asserts this and confirms it; indeed they even cherish doubts, and admit reasonings against these things; and so long as they are in such a state, the light of truth from the Lord cannot flow in; they even think of the Lord as another man, and not as God; and they think of love to Him from some worldly love; what the genuine affection of charity toward the neighbor is they scarcely know, nor indeed what charity is and what the neighbor, when yet these are essentials. Hence it is evident how far the spiritual are in obscurity; and they are still more so before regeneration, which is the state here treated of.