8557. 'And all the assembly of the children of Israel travelled on' means a further development of spiritual life. This is clear from the meaning of 'travelling on' as a further stage and continuation of life, dealt with in 4375, 4554, 4585, 5996, 8181, 8345, 8397, at this point a further stage or development of spiritual life, that is, an increase of it, which temptations are constantly bringing about. The reason why temptations bring about an increase of spiritual life is that the truths of faith are corroborated by means of them and joined to the good of charity. For the meaning of 'the assembly of the children of Israel' as those who belong to the spiritual Church, see 7830, 7843.

8181. 'And let them travel on' means a further stage, continuing until their preparation has been accomplished. This is clear from the meaning of 'travelling on' as a stage further and a continuation, dealt with in 4375, 4554, 4585, 5996. For this directive to travel on means that there should be no cry from them, that is, no pleading, but that the journeying should be continued towards the Sea Suph, and then through it towards the wilderness, that is, through hell, which they will pass through in safety, towards a succession of temptations continuing one after another, until their preparation has been accomplished. For the meaning of 'the Sea Suph' as hell, see 8099, 8137, 8148, and of 'the wilderness' as a state for undergoing temptations, 8098.