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.
Luke 12
1
Meanwhile, when a multitude of many thousands had gathered together, so much so that they trampled on each other, he began to tell his disciples first of all, "Beware of the yeast of the Pharisees, which is hypocrisy.
2
But there is nothing covered up, that will not be revealed, nor hidden, that will not be known.
3
Therefore whatever you have said in the darkness will be heard in the light. What you have spoken in the ear in the inner rooms will be proclaimed on the housetops.
4
"I tell you, my friends, don't be afraid of those who kill the body, and after that have no more that they can do.
5
But I will warn you whom you should fear. Fear him, who after he has killed, has power to cast into Gehenna. Yes, I tell you, fear him.
6
"Aren't five sparrows sold for two assaria coins? Not one of them is forgotten by God.
7
But the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Therefore don't be afraid. You are of more value than many sparrows.
8
"I tell you, everyone who confesses me before men, him will the Son of Man also confess before the angels of God;
9
but he who denies me in the presence of men will be denied in the presence of the angels of God.
10
Everyone who speaks a word against the Son of Man will be forgiven, but those who blaspheme against the Holy Spirit will not be forgiven.
11
When they bring you before the synagogues, the rulers, and the authorities, don't be anxious how or what you will answer, or what you will say;
12
for the Holy Spirit will teach you in that same hour what you must say."
13
One of the multitude said to him, "Teacher, tell my brother to divide the inheritance with me."
14
But he said to him, "Man, who made me a judge or an arbitrator over you?"
15
He said to them, "Beware! Keep yourselves from covetousness, for a man's life doesn't consist of the abundance of the things which he possesses."
16
He spoke a parable to them, saying, "The ground of a certain rich man brought forth abundantly.
17
He reasoned within himself, saying, 'What will I do, because I don't have room to store my crops?'
18
He said, 'This is what I will do. I will pull down my barns, and build bigger ones, and there I will store all my grain and my goods.
19
I will tell my soul, "Soul, you have many goods laid up for many years. Take your ease, eat, drink, be merry."'
20
"But God said to him, 'You foolish one, tonight your soul is required of you. The things which you have prepared--whose will they be?'
21
So is he who lays up treasure for himself, and is not rich toward God."
22
He said to his disciples, "Therefore I tell you, don't be anxious for your life, what you will eat, nor yet for your body, what you will wear.
23
Life is more than food, and the body is more than clothing.
24
Consider the ravens: they don't sow, they don't reap, they have no warehouse or barn, and God feeds them. How much more valuable are you than birds!
25
Which of you by being anxious can add a cubit to his height?
26
If then you aren't able to do even the least things, why are you anxious about the rest?
27
Consider the lilies, how they grow. They don't toil, neither do they spin; yet I tell you, even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these.
28
But if this is how God clothes the grass in the field, which today exists, and tomorrow is cast into the oven, how much more will he clothe you, O you of little faith?
29
Don't seek what you will eat or what you will drink; neither be anxious.
30
For the nations of the world seek after all of these things, but your Father knows that you need these things.
31
But seek God's Kingdom, and all these things will be added to you.
32
Don't be afraid, little flock, for it is your Father's good pleasure to give you the Kingdom.
33
Sell that which you have, and give gifts to the needy. Make for yourselves purses which don't grow old, a treasure in the heavens that doesn't fail, where no thief approaches, neither moth destroys.
34
For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.
35
"Let your waist be dressed and your lamps burning.
36
Be like men watching for their lord, when he returns from the marriage feast; that, when he comes and knocks, they may immediately open to him.
37
Blessed are those servants, whom the lord will find watching when he comes. Most certainly I tell you, that he will dress himself, and make them recline, and will come and serve them.
38
They will be blessed if he comes in the second or third watch, and finds them so.
39
But know this, that if the master of the house had known in what hour the thief was coming, he would have watched, and not allowed his house to be broken into.
40
Therefore be ready also, for the Son of Man is coming in an hour that you don't expect him."
41
Peter said to him, "Lord, are you telling this parable to us, or to everybody?"
42
The Lord said, "Who then is the faithful and wise steward, whom his lord will set over his household, to give them their portion of food at the right times?
43
Blessed is that servant whom his lord will find doing so when he comes.
44
Truly I tell you, that he will set him over all that he has.
45
But if that servant says in his heart, 'My lord delays his coming,' and begins to beat the menservants and the maidservants, and to eat and drink, and to be drunken,
46
then the lord of that servant will come in a day when he isn't expecting him, and in an hour that he doesn't know, and will cut him in two, and place his portion with the unfaithful.
47
That servant, who knew his lord's will, and didn't prepare, nor do what he wanted, will be beaten with many stripes,
48
but he who didn't know, and did things worthy of stripes, will be beaten with few stripes. To whoever much is given, of him will much be required; and to whom much was entrusted, of him more will be asked.
49
"I came to throw fire on the earth. I wish it were already kindled.
50
But I have a baptism to be baptized with, and how distressed I am until it is accomplished!
51
Do you think that I have come to give peace in the earth? I tell you, no, but rather division.
52
For from now on, there will be five in one house divided, three against two, and two against three.
53
They will be divided, father against son, and son against father; mother against daughter, and daughter against her mother; mother-in-law against her daughter-in-law, and daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law."
54
He said to the multitudes also, "When you see a cloud rising from the west, immediately you say, 'A shower is coming,' and so it happens.
55
When a south wind blows, you say, 'There will be a scorching heat,' and it happens.
56
You hypocrites! You know how to interpret the appearance of the earth and the sky, but how is it that you don't interpret this time?
57
Why don't you judge for yourselves what is right?
58
For when you are going with your adversary before the magistrate, try diligently on the way to be released from him, lest perhaps he drag you to the judge, and the judge deliver you to the officer, and the officer throw you into prison.
59
I tell you, you will by no means get out of there, until you have paid the very last penny."
