4713. 'And the peace of the flock' means what the situation was with those who learned, that is, with the Church. This is clear from the meaning of 'peace' as what the situation was, dealt with immediately above in 4712, and from the meaning of 'the flock' as those who learn. For 'a shepherd' or one who pastures the flock means the one who teaches and leads to good flowing from charity, while 'the flock' means the one who learns and is led, dealt with in 343, and so means the Church also.

4712. 'And he said to him, Go now, see the peace of your brothers' means every coming of the Lord, and a perception of what the situation was with those who taught. This is clear from the meaning of 'laying' as perception, dealt with just above in 4708; from the meaning of 'peace' as salvation, dealt with in 4681, and so a perception of what the situation was; and from the representation of 'brothers' here as those teaching from faith, dealt with above in 4705. From this it is evident that the words used here mean a perception of what the situation was with those who taught. The reason every coming of the Lord is also meant is that 'Joseph' represents the Lord's Divine Spiritual, 4669, 4708, 4710, and therefore when it is said that Joseph was told to 'go and see the peace of his brothers' His coming is meant. The expression 'every coming' is used to describe whenever truth enters into thought from the Word.