185. Internal Meaning of Hosea, Chapter 2

1-4 Exhortation to abstain from the falsifications of the Word, otherwise there will be no church, but it will be without goods and truths, as before. (11, 2)

5-7 They will become as before when they loved evil and falsity, but they will be withheld. (11, 2)

8 They will return to God whom they worshipped at that time, and from whom they received good, not knowing that this was from the Lord;, (11, 2)

9-13 but because they still did not worship Him, but another god, goods and truths will be vastated. (11, 2)

14-17 Those who will be of the new church, are to be purified by temptations, and prepared, (11)

18-20 and a new church constituted of such will come into existence, which will acknowledge the Lord. (11)

21-23 Then they will receive all things of heaven and the church. (11)

To “lie down” in the Bible represents a state of spiritual serenity, a time when temptations are distant and we are not in spiritual conflict. Everyone must face temptation and conflict to be rid of evil desires, but the Lord also provides times of serenity so we can recover.

(Odkazy: Arcana Coelestia 3696, 9274)