10054. It is an odor of rest. That this signifies perceptivity of peace, is evident from the signification of “odor,” as being perceptivity (see n. 3577, 4624-4634, 4748); and from the signification of “rest,” as being peace. (What Divine peace is in the heavens, see n. 92, 93, 2780, 5662, 8455, 8665, 8722; also that in the supreme sense “peace” denotes the Lord, and the Divine proceeding from Him affecting with good in the heavens from the inmost, n. 3780, 8517.) The burnt-offering is called “an odor of rest to Jehovah,” because by the burnt offering was represented the unition of the Divine Human of the Lord with the Divine Itself (see above n. 10053); and through this unition peace was acquired in the heavens; for all the hells were subjugated by the Lord when He was in the world, and all the heavens were reduced into order (n. 9715, 9809, 9937, 10019). From this it is plain whence it is that the burnt-offering is called “an odor of rest to Jehovah,” as in many other places where the burnt-offerings and the meat-offerings are treated of (Leviticus 1:9, 13, 17; 2:2, 9, 12; 3:5; 4:31; 6:6, 15; 8:28 23:13, 1 23:18; Numbers 15:3, 7, 13; 28:6, 8, 13; 29:2, 6, 13).

9528. Of shittim wood. That this signifies from mercy, is evident from the signification of “shittim wood,” as being the good of merit which is of the Lord alone (see n. 9472, 9486); and because the good of merit is mercy, therefore this also is signified by “shittim wood.” For from pure love, and thus from pure mercy, the Lord assumed the Human, and endured the most grievous temptations, and finally the passion of the cross, that He might save the human race; whereby merit and righteousness became His. From this it is clear that the good of merit is mercy. Mercy is the Divine love toward those who are set fast in a state of misery. (That the Lord underwent the most grievous temptations, and thereby reduced heaven and hell into order, and that He fought from Divine love to save those who receive Him with love and faith, see n. 1266, 1663, 1668, 1676, 1690, 1691, 1737, 1787, 1789, 1812, 1813, 1820, 1921, 2083, 2159, 2574, 2649, 2776, 2795, 2813, 2816, 3318, 4180, 4286, 4295, 5078)