8650. 'Of whom the name of one was Gershom (for he said, I have been a sojourner in a foreign land)' means the essential nature of the good of truth of those outside the Church. This is clear from the meaning of 'the name' and 'calling the name' as the essential nature, dealt with in 144, 145, 1754, 1896, 2009, 2724, 3006, 3421, 6674. That essential nature is described by the words uttered by Moses then, which were, I have been a sojourner in a foreign land. The reason why these words mean the good of truth of those outside the Church is that 'a sojourner'' means those who were born outside the Church, yet were receiving instruction in things of the Church; and 'a foreign land' means a place where the Church does not exist. For the meaning of 'a sojourner' as those who were born outside the Church and were receiving instruction in things of the Church, see 1463, 4444, 7908, 8007, 8013. The reason why 'a foreign land' is where the genuine Church does not exist is that 'land' or 'earth' means the Church, 662, 1067, 1262, 1733, 1850, 2117, 2118 (end), 2928, 3355, 4447, 4535, 5577, and 'foreign' a place where what is genuine does not exist; for the Lord's Church is spread throughout all lands, and so exists also among gentiles, 2049, 2284, 2589-2604. Furthermore when Gershom was born Moses was outside his own Church, among those with whom the good of simple truth existed, who are meant by 'the Midianites', see 6793-6796.

8007. 'And when a sojourner sojourns with you' means those who have received instruction in the Church's truth and good, and have accepted them. This is clear from the meaning of 'a sojourner' as those who received instruction in and accepted the statutes and laws of the Church, dealt with in 2025, 4444, 7908. The words 'when he sojourns with you' are used because 'sojourning' means receiving instruction and living, 1463, 3672, so that' sojourners sojourning with them' means not only those who received instruction in the Church's truth and good and accepted them, but also those who led lives in keeping with them.