309. The flame of a sword turning itself symbolizes self-love with its mad desires and delusions, which are such that although we want to enter there, we are carried in the opposite direction, toward bodily and earthly preoccupations. So many quotations from the Word are available to prove this symbolism that they would fill pages. Let me offer only these words from Ezekiel:
Prophesy, and you are to say, "This is what Jehovah has said: ‘Say, "A sword! A sword sharpened and even polished for committing slaughter, sharpened to have a flash of lightning to it!" Let the sword be used again a third time, the sword of its victims, the sword of much stabbing, penetrating to them in their private rooms, so that their heart will dissolve; and it will multiply the stumbling blocks in all their gates. I have put a terror of a sword there; oh, it has turned into lightning!'" (Ezekiel 21:9-10, 14-15)
The sword stands for our desolation — desolation to the point where we see not a bit of goodness or truth but only the false things that stand in the way; this is the multiplying of stumbling blocks. Let me add these words in Nahum:
A horse rider rushing up, and the flame of a sword, and the lightning flash of a spear, and a throng of those stabbed. (Nahum 3:3)
This describes people who wish to pry into the secrets of faith.
