3653. From these considerations it may now be seen that these verses give a thorough description of the state of the Church when vastated as regards the goods of love and as regards the truths of faith. At the same time they urge what is to be done in those circumstances by those with whom such goods and truths are present. There are three kinds of people within the Church, namely, those who are moved by love to the Lord, those who are moved by charity towards the neighbour, and those who are moved by the affection for truth. Members of the first group - those moved by love to the Lord - are meant specifically in the injunction, Let those who are in Judea flee into the mountains. Members of the second group are those who are moved by charity towards the neighbour; and these are meant specifically in, Let him who is on the roof of the house not go down to take anything out of his house. Members of the third group are those who are moved by the affection for truth; and these are meant specifically in, Let him who is in the field not turn back to get his clothing. See what has been stated and explained already about these matters in Volume Two, in 2454, and also in the same paragraph what is meant by 'turning back' and 'looking back behind oneself'.

5480. 'And wept' means mercy. This is clear from the meaning of 'weeping', when used in reference to the Lord, who is represented here by 'Joseph', as showing mercy. It is well known that weeping is an expression of grief and love; it is consequently an expression of mercy since mercy is love that is grieving. Divine love therefore is called mercy because left by itself the human race is in hell; and when a person recognizes within himself that this is the case he prays for mercy. Since in the internal sense 'weeping' also implies mercy, there are many occasions in the Word when Jehovah or the Lord is spoken of as weeping, as in Isaiah,

I shall weep with weeping over Jazer, the vine of Sibmah. I will seek you with My tears, O Heshbon and Elealeh. Isaiah 16:9.

And in Jeremiah,

I know, says Jehovah, the indignation of Moab, that he is not right. Therefore I will howl over Moab and will cry out because of the whole of Moab. Above the weeping of Jazer I will weep because of you, O vine of Sibmah. Jeremiah 48:30-32.

'Moab' stands for those who are governed by natural good and allow themselves to be led astray; and once led astray they adulterate what is good, 2468. 'Howling, crying out, and weeping over Moab' stands for feelings of mercy and grief. Similarly in Luke,

As He drew near, Jesus saw the city and wept over it. Luke 19:41.

The Jerusalem over which Jesus wept, that is, for which He had feelings of mercy and grief, was not only the actual city of Jerusalem but also the Church, whose last day, when there will no longer be any charity or consequently any faith, is meant in the internal sense. His feelings of mercy and grief led Him to weep. As regards 'Jerusalem' being the Church, see 2117, 3654.