Arcana Coelestia #3384
3384. 'Isaac dwelt in Gerar' means the Lord's state as regards matters of faith in respect to the rational concepts which were to be allied. This is clear from the meaning of 'dwelling in Gerar' as possessing what are matters of faith, and so a state as regards those things, since 'dwelling in' means living, 1293, and 'Gerar' matters of faith, 1209, 2504, 3365; and from the representation of 'Isaac' as the Lord as regards the Divine Rational, dealt with in 1893, 2066, 2072, 2083, 2630. Their being matters of faith in respect to the rational concepts that were to be allied is clear from what comes before and after, for in the whole of this chapter those things are the subject, that is to say, rational concepts which, when enlightened from the Lord's Divine, are appearances of truth.
[2] That 'dwelling in' means one's being and life, and so one's state, is evident from very many places in the Word, as in David,
I will dwell in the house of Jehovah for the length of days. Psalms 23:6.
One thing have I asked from Jehovah, that will I seek: I may dwell in the house of Jehovah all the days of the my life. Psalms 27:4
He shall not dwell within My house who practices deceit. Psalms 101:7.
Here 'dwelling in the house of Jehovah' stands for one's being and life residing in good that stems from love, for this good is 'the house of Jehovah'. In Isaiah,
Those dwelling in the land of the shadow of death, upon them has the light shone out. Isaiah 9:2.
'Those dwelling in the land of the shadow of death' stands for the state of those who have no knowledge of good and truth. In the same prophet,
Babel will not be dwelt in for ever. Isaiah 13:20.
This stands for the state of condemnation of those meant by 'Babel'.
[3] In the same prophet,
O Jehovah God of Israel, dwelling among the cherubim. Isaiah 37:16.
O Shepherd of Israel, dwelling among the cherubim, shine forth. Psalms 80:1.
'Dwelling among the cherubim' means the Lord at work in a providential state, in which He prevents anyone's access to the sacred things of love and faith unless that person has been prepared for it by the Lord, 308. In David,
In peace I both lie down and sleep, for You, O Jehovah, alone make me dwell in safety. Psalms 4:8.
'Making a person dwell in safety' stands for a state of peace. In Jeremiah,
You who dwell on many waters, great in treasures, your end has come, the measure of your gain. Jeremiah 51:13.
This refers to Babel. 'Dwelling on many waters' stands for possessing cognitions concerning truth.
[4] In Daniel,
God Himself reveals deep and hidden things; He knows what is in the darkness, and the light dwells with Him. Daniel 2:22.
'Dwelling' stands for having its being. In the same prophet,
The beast of the field had shade under that tree, and in its branches dwelt the birds of the air. Daniel 4:12.
And in Ezekiel,
Under its branches every wild beast of the field brought forth, and in its shadow dwelt all great nations. Ezekiel 31:6.
'Dwelling' stands for one's being and life. In Hosea,
Threshing-floor and winepress will not feed them, and new wine will be deceptive to her. They will not dwell in Jehovah's land, but Ephraim will return to Egypt. Hosea 9:2-3.
'Not dwelling in Jehovah's land' stands for not being in a state where the good of love is present, and so for not being in the Lord's kingdom.
Isaiah 9
1
But there shall be no more gloom for her who was in anguish. In the former time, he brought into contempt the land of Zebulun and the land of Naphtali; but in the latter time he has made it glorious, by the way of the sea, beyond the Jordan, Galilee of the nations.
2
The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light. Those who lived in the land of the shadow of death, on them the light has shined.
3
You have multiplied the nation. You have increased their joy. They rejoice before you according to the joy in harvest, as men rejoice when they divide the spoil.
4
For the yoke of his burden, and the staff of his shoulder, the rod of his oppressor, you have broken as in the day of Midian.
5
For all the armor of the armed man in the noisy battle, and the garments rolled in blood, will be for burning, fuel for the fire.
6
For to us a child is born. To us a son is given; and the government will be on his shoulders. His name will be called Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.
7
Of the increase of his government and of peace there shall be no end, on the throne of David, and on his kingdom, to establish it, and to uphold it with justice and with righteousness from that time on, even forever. The zeal of Yahweh of Armies will perform this.
8
The Lord sent a word into Jacob, and it falls on Israel.
9
All the people will know, including Ephraim and the inhabitants of Samaria, who say in pride and in arrogance of heart,
10
"The bricks have fallen, but we will build with cut stone. The sycamore fig trees have been cut down, but we will put cedars in their place."
11
Therefore Yahweh will set up on high against him the adversaries of Rezin, and will stir up his enemies,
12
The Syrians in front, and the Philistines behind; and they will devour Israel with open mouth. For all this, his anger is not turned away, but his hand is stretched out still.
13
Yet the people have not turned to him who struck them, neither have they sought Yahweh of Armies.
14
Therefore Yahweh will cut off from Israel head and tail, palm branch and reed, in one day.
15
The elder and the honorable man is the head, and the prophet who teaches lies is the tail.
16
For those who lead this people lead them astray; and those who are led by them are destroyed.
17
Therefore the Lord will not rejoice over their young men, neither will he have compassion on their fatherless and widows; for everyone is profane and an evildoer, and every mouth speaks folly. For all this his anger is not turned away, but his hand is stretched out still.
18
For wickedness burns like a fire. It devours the briers and thorns; yes, it kindles in the thickets of the forest, and they roll upward in a column of smoke.
19
Through the wrath of Yahweh of Armies, the land is burnt up; and the people are the fuel for the fire. No one spares his brother.
20
One will devour on the right hand, and be hungry; and he will eat on the left hand, and they will not be satisfied. Everyone will eat the flesh of his own arm:
21
Manasseh, Ephraim; and Ephraim, Manasseh; and they together shall be against Judah. For all this his anger is not turned away, but his hand is stretched out still.
