3089. Let me I pray sip a little water from thy pitcher. That this signifies inquiry whether anything of truth from this source could be conjoined, is evident from the signification of “sipping,” as being similar to that of “drinking;” but diminutively, because exploring is implied. (That “to drink”, is to perceive may be seen above, n. 3069.) In the internal sense “to drink” also denotes to be communicated and to be conjoined, and is predicated of what is spiritual, as “to eat” is predicated of what is celestial (n. 2187, 2343). The same is further evident from the signification of “water,” as being truth (see n. 680, 739, 2702). Here therefore the words “let me I pray sip a little water from thy pitcher,” signify exploring whether anything of truth from this source could be conjoined. The “pitcher” is the recipient, in which and out of which is truth (n. 3068, 3079). That there was an exploration is because the first affection of truth was attended with something from the maternal, which was to be separated (n. 3040, 3078). With a man about to be regenerated the case is that his first affection of truth is very impure; for there is in it an affection of use and an end for the sake of himself, for the sake of the world, for the sake of glory in heaven, and the like, which ends regard himself, but not the community, the Lord’s kingdom, and still less the Lord. Such an affection necessarily precedes; nevertheless it is successively purified by the Lord, till at last falsities and evils are removed and are cast as it were into the circumference; and yet they had been of service as means.

3039. He shall send His angel before thee. That this signifies the Divine providence, is evident from the signification of “angel” in the Word, as being the Lord; but what of the Lord is meant, appears from the series (see n. 1925); and that the Divine providence is meant here is evident. That the Lord is meant by “angels” in the Word, is because all that was spoken in the Word by the prophets and others under the dictation of angels, is from the Lord, that is, belongs to the Lord Himself. The angels in heaven also acknowledge and perceive that nothing of good and truth is from themselves, but all from the Lord; and this so fully that they are averse to all things that induce any other idea. Hence it is that by “angels,” that is, by good angels, is meant the Lord; but what of His, becomes apparent from the series, or connection.