10286. The man who shall make ointment like it. That this signifies the imitation of Divine things by art, is evident from the signification of “making like it,” as being imitation; and from the signification of the “ointment,” as being Divine truths which are of the Lord alone, and from the Lord alone (see above, n. 10264). That imitation by art is signified is because all imitation of Divine things by man is done by art. How the case herein is can be seen from what was said and shown above (n. 10284). But all this can be further illustrated by what exists among spirits. Those of them who attribute all things to fortune and their own sagacity, and nothing to the Divine (as they had done in the world), know how to imitate Divine things by various methods; for they present to view palaces almost like those in the heavens, also groves and fields almost like those which are presented to view by the Lord among good spirits; they adorn themselves with shining garments, and the sirens even assume a beauty almost angelic; but all these things are produced by art by means of phantasies. And however much these things may appear similar in the outward form, nevertheless in the internal form they are loathsome, which also is instantly made manifest to good spirits by the Lord; because if this were not done they would be led astray. The external is taken away, and then the diabolism within stands forth; what is external is taken away by means of light let in upon it from heaven, whereby is dispelled the delusive light of phantasies by means of which they produce such effects. From this can be seen the nature of the imitation of Divine things by art. But the things which are from the Lord are inwardly heavenly, and the more interior they are, so much the more heavenly they are; for Divine things increase in perfection toward the interiors, until finally they are of unspeakable perfection and beauty.

[2] The like is the case with the imitation of what is good and true among those who live evilly; those of them who know how to counterfeit good affections, and somewhat of charity toward the neighbor, and of love to God, and at the same time from these affections speak and preach the truths of faith as if from the heart, are in a similar light of foolishness and phantasy; and therefore when the external which had counterfeited what is internal is taken away, there appears the infernalism that lay hidden within, which is nothing but evil and the falsity of evil; and then it is in like manner presented to view that this evil is their love, and the falsity of this evil their faith. From all this it is again evident what is the imitation of things Divine by the study of man (of which above, n. 10284).

7575. And the fire walked unto the land. That this signifies the evils of cupidities, is evident from the signification of “fire,” as being the evils of cupidities (see n. 1297, 1861, 2446, 5071, 5215, 6314, 6832, 7324); and from the signification of “walking unto the land,” as being to take possession of the natural mind even to its lowest parts (that the “land of Egypt” denotes the natural mind, see n. 5276, 5278, 5280, 5288, 5301). As by “hail” are signified falsities, and by “fire” the evils from which they spring, therefore where “hail” is mentioned, so also is “fire” as in Isaiah 30:30-31; Psalms 18:12-15; 78:47-49; Revelation 8:7; and also in the verse that here follows, “and there was hail, and fire at the same time walking in the midst of hail, very grievous.”