6028. 'To show [the way] before him to Goshen' means regarding the middle of the natural, that is to say, a communication regarding it. This is clear from the meaning of 'Goshen' as the middle, that is, the inmost part of the natural, dealt with in 5910. By the middle or inmost part of the natural is meant the best part there; for the best good exists in the middle, that is, in the centre or inmost part. Then surrounding it in every direction lie other grades of good, which follow a heavenly pattern and are positioned near to or further away from the best part in the middle in keeping with their degree of goodness. This is how different degrees of good are arranged into order with a regenerate person. But with the evil the grossest evils exist in the middle and all good is banished to the outermost parts, where it is constantly being pushed right outside. This pattern exists with evil persons in particular and in the hells in general, and is accordingly the hellish pattern. From what has now been said about the existence of the best part in the middle and other grades of good in order outside it one may see what is meant by a communication of the good of the Church with the internal celestial regarding the middle of the natural.

5837. 'And your servants will cause the grey hair of your servant our father to go down in sorrow to the grave' means that the Church will be done for. This is clear from the explanation above in 5832, where similar words occur. The reason why Israel, to whom 'father' refers, here means the Church is that spiritual good, which he represents, makes the Church with a person, so much so that whether you say spiritual good or the Church it amounts to the same thing; for the two are inseparable. This is why in the Word, especially the prophetical part, 'Israel' is the spiritual Church.