Arcana Coelestia # 5964
5964. And they went up out of Egypt. That this signifies a receding from the memory-knowledges of the church, is evident from the signification of “going up” thence, as being to recede (mention is made of “going up out of Egypt into the land of Canaan,” and of “coming down from that land into Egypt,” for a reason several times stated above: here by “going up” is signified departing); and from the signification of “Egypt,” which in the proper sense denotes the memory-knowledges of the church (see n. 4749, 4964, 4966). That these memory-knowledges are here signified is because they were in them when in Egypt with Joseph (n. 5958). Removal from those things which are of good and of truth, thus from those things which are of the church, is here treated of down to the last verse of this chapter, which removal is meant by the concealment mentioned above (n. 5962), and here by receding. In the Word this state is signified by “evening.” When men are in this state, they recede from things heavenly and spiritual, and accede to such as contain nothing spiritual and heavenly. But this concealment or receding does not come to pass by the Lord’s concealing Himself or receding, but by they themselves doing so; for they can no longer be withheld from their own, because to do so is not fitting; and therefore this state arrives when they are left to themselves or their own; and insofar as they are thus left, or are immersed therein, so far they recede from those things which are of heaven, and so far good becomes imperceptible to them, and truth obscure. From this it is evident that the Lord does not conceal Himself, but that the man, spirit, or angel conceals himself.
Genesis 45
1
Then Joseph couldn't control himself before all those who stood before him, and he cried, "Cause everyone to go out from me!" No one else stood with him, while Joseph made himself known to his brothers.
2
He wept aloud. The Egyptians heard, and the house of Pharaoh heard.
3
Joseph said to his brothers, "I am Joseph! Does my father still live?" His brothers couldn't answer him; for they were terrified at his presence.
4
Joseph said to his brothers, "Come near to me, please." They came near. "He said, I am Joseph, your brother, whom you sold into Egypt.
5
Now don't be grieved, nor angry with yourselves, that you sold me here, for God sent me before you to preserve life.
6
For these two years the famine has been in the land, and there are yet five years, in which there will be neither plowing nor harvest.
7
God sent me before you to preserve for you a remnant in the earth, and to save you alive by a great deliverance.
8
So now it wasn't you who sent me here, but God, and he has made me a father to Pharaoh, lord of all his house, and ruler over all the land of Egypt.
9
Hurry, and go up to my father, and tell him, 'This is what your son Joseph says, "God has made me lord of all Egypt. Come down to me. Don't wait.
10
You shall dwell in the land of Goshen, and you will be near to me, you, your children, your children's children, your flocks, your herds, and all that you have.
11
There I will nourish you; for there are yet five years of famine; lest you come to poverty, you, and your household, and all that you have."'
12
Behold, your eyes see, and the eyes of my brother Benjamin, that it is my mouth that speaks to you.
13
You shall tell my father of all my glory in Egypt, and of all that you have seen. You shall hurry and bring my father down here."
14
He fell on his brother Benjamin's neck, and wept, and Benjamin wept on his neck.
15
He kissed all his brothers, and wept on them. After that his brothers talked with him.
16
The report of it was heard in Pharaoh's house, saying, "Joseph's brothers have come." It pleased Pharaoh well, and his servants.
17
Pharaoh said to Joseph, "Tell your brothers, 'Do this. Load your animals, and go, travel to the land of Canaan.
18
Take your father and your households, and come to me, and I will give you the good of the land of Egypt, and you will eat the fat of the land.'
19
Now you are commanded: do this. Take wagons out of the land of Egypt for your little ones, and for your wives, and bring your father, and come.
20
Also, don't concern yourselves about your belongings, for the good of all of the land of Egypt is yours."
21
The sons of Israel did so. Joseph gave them wagons, according to the commandment of Pharaoh, and gave them provision for the way.
22
He gave each one of them changes of clothing, but to Benjamin he gave three hundred pieces of silver and five changes of clothing.
23
He sent the following to his father: ten donkeys loaded with the good things of Egypt, and ten female donkeys loaded with grain and bread and provision for his father by the way.
24
So he sent his brothers away, and they departed. He said to them, "See that you don't quarrel on the way."
25
They went up out of Egypt, and came into the land of Canaan, to Jacob their father.
26
They told him, saying, "Joseph is still alive, and he is ruler over all the land of Egypt." His heart fainted, for he didn't believe them.
27
They told him all the words of Joseph, which he had said to them. When he saw the wagons which Joseph had sent to carry him, the spirit of Jacob, their father, revived.
28
Israel said, "It is enough. Joseph my son is still alive. I will go and see him before I die."
