Arcana Coelestia # 46
46. That 'beasts' means affections residing with man - evil affections in evil men and good affections in good men - becomes clear from many examples in the Word, as in Ezekiel,
Behold, I am for you, and I will turn to you, so that you will be tilled and sown; and I will multiply upon you man and beast, and they will be multiplied and be fruitful, and I will resettle you 1 to be as in your ancient times. Ezekiel 36:9-11.
This refers to regeneration. In Joel,
Fear not, you beasts of My field, for the dwelling-places of the wilderness have been made green. Joel 2:22.
In David,
I was stupid, a beast 2 was I with God. Psalms 73:12.
In Jeremiah,
Behold, the days are coming when I will sow the house of Israel and the house of Judah with the seed of man and the seed of beast, and I will watch over them to build and to plant. Jeremiah 31:27-28.
This refers to regeneration.
[2] 'Wild animals' (fera) has a similar meaning, as in Hosea,
I will make for them a covenant on that day, with the wild animals of the field, and with the birds of the air, 3 and with the creeping things of the earth. Hosea 2:18.
In Job,
You will not fear the wild animals of the earth, for your covenant will be with the stones of the field, and the wild beasts of the field will be at peace with you. Job 5:22-23.
In Ezekiel,
I will make with them 4 a covenant of peace, and I will banish the evil wild animal from the land, so that they may dwell securely in the wilderness. Ezekiel 34:25.
In Isaiah,
The wild animals of the field will honour me, for I have given water in the desert. Isaiah 43:20.
In Ezekiel,
In its branches all the birds of the air 3 made their nests and under its branches every wild animal of the field gave birth, and in its shadow dwelt all great nations. Ezekiel 31:6.
This refers to Assyria, which means the spiritual man and is compared to the Garden of Eden. In David,
Praise Jehovah, all his angels, praise Him from the earth, sea monsters, fruit trees, wild animals, and all beasts, creeping things, and flying birds! Psalms 148:2-4, 7, 9-10.
Here the list is precisely the same - sea monsters, fruit trees, wild animals, beasts, creeping things, and birds. Unless they all mean things that are alive in human beings, they cannot possibly be referred to as praising Jehovah.
[3] A careful distinction is made in the Prophets between beasts and wild animals of the earth, and between beasts and wild animals of the field. The practice of calling goods 'beasts' extends to calling people in heaven who are nearest to the Lord 'living creatures', both in Ezekiel and in John,
All the angels stood around the throne, and the elders, and the four living creatures; and they fell on their faces before the throne and worshipped God. 5 Revelation 7:11; 19:4.
The expression 'creatures' is also used of people who are to have the gospel preached to them because they are to be created anew, Go into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature. Mark 16:15.
Poznámky pod čarou:
1. literally, I will cause you to inhabit
2. literally, beasts
3. literally, bird of the heavens (or the skies)
4. The Latin means with you; but the Hebrew means with them which Swedenborg has in other places where he quotes this verse.
5. The Latin means the Lamb; but the Greek means God which Swedenborg has in other places where he quotes this verse.
Psalms 147
1
Praise Yah, for it is good to sing praises to our God; for it is pleasant and fitting to Praise him.
2
Yahweh builds up Jerusalem. He gathers together the outcasts of Israel.
3
He heals the broken in heart, and binds up their wounds.
4
He counts the number of the stars. He calls them all by their names.
5
Great is our Lord, and mighty in power. His understanding is infinite.
6
Yahweh upholds the humble. He brings the wicked down to the ground.
7
Sing to Yahweh with thanksgiving. Sing praises on the harp to our God,
8
who covers the sky with clouds, who prepares rain for the earth, who makes grass grow on the mountains.
9
He provides food for the livestock, and for the young ravens when they call.
10
He doesn't delight in the strength of the horse. He takes no pleasure in the legs of a man.
11
Yahweh takes pleasure in those who fear him, in those who hope in his loving kindness.
12
Praise Yahweh, Jerusalem! Praise your God, Zion!
13
For he has strengthened the bars of your gates. He has blessed your children within you.
14
He makes peace in your borders. He fills you with the finest of the wheat.
15
He sends out his commandment to the earth. His word runs very swiftly.
16
He gives snow like wool, and scatters frost like ashes.
17
He hurls down his hail like pebbles. Who can stand before his cold?
18
He sends out his word, and melts them. He causes his wind to blow, and the waters flow.
19
He shows his word to Jacob; his statutes and his ordinances to Israel.
20
He has not done this for just any nation. They don't know his ordinances. Praise Yah!
