Arcana Coelestia #2661
2661. 'Because of his son' means for the reason that He delighted in it, that is, in the first rational. This is clear from the meaning of 'son', that is to say, the son of the servant-girl, as the merely human or first rational, dealt with already. The reason for the grief is not actually mentioned here but it is nevertheless evident from what follows. Love is plainly the reason for that grief, for it is said [that Abraham was distressed] 'because of his son', and this son is the subject in verses 13-21 which follow. But so that it may be known why this grief existed, that is, why it is said that 'the matter was deeply distressing to Abraham because of his son', let the following few comments serve by way of illustration.
[2] The Lord did not come into the world to save those who are celestial, but to save those who are spiritual. The Most Ancient Church, which was called Man, was celestial, and if this Church had remained uncorrupted there would have been no need for the Lord to be born a human being. But as soon as it began to decline the Lord foresaw that the celestial Church would cease to exist altogether in the world, and therefore a prophecy was given there and then about the Lord's Coming into the world, Genesis 3:15. After the era of that Church there was no longer a celestial Church but a spiritual Church. The Ancient Church, which came after the Flood, was this spiritual Church, referred to many times in Volume One. This Church, or the people who belonged to the spiritual Church, could not have been saved unless the Lord had come into the world. This is what the Lord's words in Matthew are used to mean,
Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick. I did not come to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance. Matthew 9:12-13.
And the following in John are used with the same meaning,
And other sheep I have which are not of this fold; I must bring them also, and they will hear My voice, and there will be one flock and one shepherd. John 10:16.
And the same is also meant in the parable about the hundred sheep, in Matthew 18:11-13.
[3] Now seeing that 'Isaac', representing the Lord's Divine Rational, also means those that are celestial, who are called 'heirs', while 'Ishmael', representing the Lord's merely human rational, also means those that are spiritual, who are referred to as 'sons' - as may also be evident from what has been stated above in 2658 - the words used in the present verse therefore mean that because of His Divine Love the Lord suffered grief. This is also the meaning of what follows in verses 13-21, where Hagar's son and she his mother represent the spiritual Church, and where the subject is the state of that Church, that is, of those who are members of that Church, 2612. Any further declaration regarding these arcana is not as yet possible. All that can be stated here is that with the Lord when in the world all states of the Church were represented, and also the way in which those who belonged to it were to be saved through Him. Consequently the same states of the Church are also meant by those same names.
Matthew 19
1
It happened when Jesus had finished these words, he departed from Galilee, and came into the borders of Judea beyond the Jordan.
2
Great multitudes followed him, and he healed them there.
3
Pharisees came to him, testing him, and saying, "Is it lawful for a man to divorce his wife for any reason?"
4
He answered, "Haven't you read that he who made them from the beginning made them male and female,
5
and said, 'For this cause a man shall leave his father and mother, and shall join to his wife; and the two shall become one flesh?'
6
So that they are no more two, but one flesh. What therefore God has joined together, don't let man tear apart."
7
They asked him, "Why then did Moses command us to give her a bill of divorce, and divorce her?"
8
He said to them, "Moses, because of the hardness of your hearts, allowed you to divorce your wives, but from the beginning it has not been so.
9
I tell you that whoever divorces his wife, except for sexual immorality, and marries another, commits adultery; and he who marries her when she is divorced commits adultery."
10
His disciples said to him, "If this is the case of the man with his wife, it is not expedient to marry."
11
But he said to them, "Not all men can receive this saying, but those to whom it is given.
12
For there are eunuchs who were born that way from their mother's womb, and there are eunuchs who were made eunuchs by men; and there are eunuchs who made themselves eunuchs for the Kingdom of Heaven's sake. He who is able to receive it, let him receive it."
13
Then little children were brought to him, that he should lay his hands on them and pray; and the disciples rebuked them.
14
But Jesus said, "Allow the little children, and don't forbid them to come to me; for the Kingdom of Heaven belongs to ones like these."
15
He laid his hands on them, and departed from there.
16
Behold, one came to him and said, "Good teacher, what good thing shall I do, that I may have eternal life?"
17
He said to him, "Why do you call me good? No one is good but one, that is, God. But if you want to enter into life, keep the commandments."
18
He said to him, "Which ones?" Jesus said, "'You shall not murder.' 'You shall not commit adultery.' 'You shall not steal.' 'You shall not offer false testimony.'
19
'Honor your father and mother.' And, 'You shall love your neighbor as yourself.'"
20
The young man said to him, "All these things I have observed from my youth. What do I still lack?"
21
Jesus said to him, "If you want to be perfect, go, sell what you have, and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow me."
22
But when the young man heard the saying, he went away sad, for he was one who had great possessions.
23
Jesus said to his disciples, "Most certainly I say to you, a rich man will enter into the Kingdom of Heaven with difficulty.
24
Again I tell you, it is easier for a camel to go through a needle's eye, than for a rich man to enter into the Kingdom of God."
25
When the disciples heard it, they were exceedingly astonished, saying, "Who then can be saved?"
26
Looking at them, Jesus said, "With men this is impossible, but with God all things are possible."
27
Then Peter answered, "Behold, we have left everything, and followed you. What then will we have?"
28
Jesus said to them, "Most certainly I tell you that you who have followed me, in the regeneration when the Son of Man will sit on the throne of his glory, you also will sit on twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel.
29
Everyone who has left houses, or brothers, or sisters, or father, or mother, or wife, or children, or lands, for my name's sake, will receive one hundred times, and will inherit eternal life.
30
But many will be last who are first; and first who are last.
