8782. 'In order that the people may hear when I speak to you' means in order that those belonging to the spiritual Church may have some understanding of Divine things. This is clear from the meaning of 'hearing' as discerning, dealt with in 5017, and so having some understanding; from the representation of the children of Israel, to whom 'the people' refers here, as those who belong to the spiritual Church, dealt with often; and from the meaning of 'when I speak' as Divine Truths, for 'Jehovah's voice' is Divine Truth, 219, 220, 3563, 6971, and so also is His speech.

220. 'His voice going to and fro' means that only a residue of perception was left, so small as to be solitary and inaudible, so to speak. This is also clear from the next verse in which it is said that Jehovah called out to the man. A similar usage occurs in Isaiah,

The voice of one crying in the wilderness; the voice said, Cry! Isaiah 40:3, 6.

'Wilderness' stands for a Church where no faith exists; 'the voice of one crying stands for the declaration of the Lord's coming, in general for every declaration of His coming, as is made to regenerate persons who have this dictate residing in them.