26
And so he did unto them, and rescued them out of the hand of the sons of Israel, and they killed them not.
Joshua 9:26
Spiritual Experiences #271
271. The lower place of damnation is extremely cold, and their life at that time had been miserable
Those who had been in a certain lower place were many, who are so cold that they seem to themselves obliged to acquire heat through labor, and the cutting of wood; for this kind of fantasy stays with them, and they do not know but that it is real, supposing that this work will make them not only warm, but also deserving of salvation. The cold is comparable to cold in the teeth.
Now these are the ones who are represented by the wood-cutters [Deut. 29:11, Josh. 9:23-27]. Who they are that are being held in such an extremely cold prison, may be concluded from [the nature of] their loves in the life of the body, namely, that they had then been cold, not instructed at an early age in any true love, but only enticed by bodily pleasures contrary to true love. So perhaps one may infer that they had come more from the crowd of gentiles, but on this I am not so well informed. These people were exceedingly glad to come into the day, and to see the light, which also shows that they had been in darkness. No one can describe how miserable these crowds are. 1747, the 28th day of November.
Joshua 9:23-27
23
Now therefore you are cursed, and some of you will never fail to be bondservants, both wood cutters and drawers of water for the house of my God."
24
They answered Joshua, and said, "Because your servants were certainly told how Yahweh your God commanded his servant Moses to give you all the land, and to destroy all the inhabitants of the land from before you. Therefore we were very afraid for our lives because of you, and have done this thing.
25
Now, behold, we are in your hand. Do to us as it seems good and right to you to do."
26
He did so to them, and delivered them out of the hand of the children of Israel, so that they didn't kill them.
27
That day Joshua made them wood cutters and drawers of water for the congregation and for the altar of Yahweh, to this day, in the place which he should choose.
