241. Verse 18. I counsel thee, signifies the means of reformation of those who are in the doctrine of faith alone. This is evident from what now follows, for the reformation of those who are in that doctrine is now treated of; therefore "I counsel thee" implies precepts as to how such must live that they may be reformed and thus saved.

8575. 'Yet a little, and they stone me' means that they are not far from doing violence to the truth from God. This is clear from the meaning of 'yet a little' as not far from; and from the meaning of 'stoning' as punishing for the violation of truth that relates to worship, dealt with in 7456, though here it is used in the contrary sense and so means doing violence to the truth from God, which 'Moses' represents. The fact that 'Moses' represents the truth from God has been shown rather often.