7115. 'They must go and gather straw for themselves' means in order that they may acquire that basest kind of factual knowledge for themselves. This is clear from the meaning of 'gathering' as acquiring; and from the meaning of 'straw' as the basest kind of factual knowledge, dealt with just above in 7112.

'Stubble for straw,' as in Exodus 5:12, signifies scientific truth. 'Stubble' symbolizes the kind of truth that is suited to factual knowledge. 'Stubble' means truth because 'stubble' is the stalk -- the tip of which contains the seed. 'Seeds,' in the Word represent truths and forms of good. So, the stalk underneath the seeds represents a general vessel containing truth, and so means factual truth. Stems of factual knowledge about faith and charity are truths, but they are general truths and so are vessels for receiving particular and specific truths.

(Odkazy: Arcana Coelestia 7131)