1927. 'Near a spring of water in the desert' means natural truth that has not yet acquired any life. This is clear from the meaning of 'a spring of water' as truth, and from the meaning of 'desert' as that which as yet possesses little life. Something similar is meant by 'desert' in the internal sense of the following reference to the Lord in Luke,

The boy grew and became strong in spirit; he was however in desert places till the days of his manifestation to Israel. Luke 1:80. ¹

It may be confirmed from very many places in the Word that 'spring of water' and 'desert' have these meanings, but as 'springs' and also 'a desert' are frequently mentioned in places further on where they have the same meanings, confirmations will in the Lord's Divine mercy be given in those places. What truth is when it has yet to acquire life will be clear from what is to be stated next.

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