17
até que lhes falte o pão e a água, e se espantem uns com os outros, e se definhem na sua iniqüidade.
Ezequiel 4:17
Arcana Coelestia #2336
2336. That 'the street' means truth becomes clear from many places in the Word, as in John where the New Jerusalem is referred to,
The twelve gates were twelve pearls, each gate was one pearl; and the street of the city was pure gold, like transparent glass. Revelation 21:21.
[2] 'The New Jerusalem' is the Lord's kingdom which because it is being described as regards good and truth is described by walls, gates, and streets. By the last of these -'the streets' - are meant all avenues of truth which lead to good, that is, all those of faith which lead to love and charity. And because truths in this way become part of good, and so are made transparent from good, it is said that 'the street was pure gold, like transparent glass'. In the same book,
Out of the middle of the street of it, and of the river, on this side and on that, was the tree of life bearing twelve fruits. Revelation 22:2.
This also refers to the New Jerusalem or the Lord's kingdom. 'The middle of the street' is the truth of faith, by means of which good comes and which after that stems from good. 'The twelve fruits' are those called the fruits of faith, for 'twelve' means all things of faith, as shown in 577, 2089, 2129, 2130.
[3] In Daniel,
Know and perceive that from the going forth of the Word to restore and to build Jerusalem until the Messiah, the Leader, there will be seven weeks - and sixty-two weeks; and it will be restored and built with street and moat. Daniel 9:25.
This refers to the Coming of the Lord, 'it will be restored with street and moat' meaning that there will be truth and good at that time. The fact that Jerusalem was not restored and built at that time is well known; and that it is not to be restored and built anew anyone may also know provided he does not fix his ideas on a worldly kingdom but on a heavenly kingdom meant in the internal sense by Jerusalem.
[4] In Luke,
The householder said to his servant, Go out quickly into the streets and lanes of the city and bring in here the poor, the maimed, the lame, and the blind. Luke 14:21.
People who confine themselves to the sense of the letter gain nothing more from this verse than the idea that the servant was to go everywhere, and that this is what is meant by 'streets and lanes', and that he was to fetch in everybody, and that this is what is meant by 'the poor, the maimed, the lame, and the blind'. But each and all of these words, being the Lord's, embody arcana within them. The command that he should go out into the streets and lanes means that he was to search everywhere for some genuine truth, that is, for truth which shines out of good, or through which good shines. The command that he should bring in the poor, the maimed, the lame, and the blind, means that such people were to be brought in as had in the Ancient Church been called the poor, maimed, lame, or blind - that is, he was to bring in those who were such as regards faith but who had led good lives, and who for this reason ought to be taught about the Lord's kingdom - thus to bring in gentiles who were as yet uninformed.
[5] Because 'streets' meant truths it was a representative custom among the Jews to teach in the streets, as is evident from Matthew 6:2, 5, and Luke 13:26-27. Wherever 'streets' are mentioned in the Prophets they mean in the internal sense either truths or things contrary to truths, as in Isaiah,
Judgement is cast away backwards, and justice stands afar off, for truth has stumbled in the street, and uprightness cannot come in. Isaiah 59:14.
In the same prophet,
Your sons fainted and lay at the head of every street. Isaiah 51:20.
In Jeremiah,
Death has come up into our windows, it has entered our palaces, cutting off the small child from the street and the young men from the lanes. Jeremiah 9:21.
[6] In Ezekiel,
By means of the hoofs of his horses Nebuchadnezzar will trample all your streets. Ezekiel 26:11.
This refers to Tyre, which means cognitions of truth, 1201. 'The hoofs of the horses' are facts which pervert the truth. In Nahum,
In the streets the chariots rage; they rush about in the lanes. Nahum 2:4.
'Chariots' stands for the doctrine of truth, which is said 'to rage in the streets' when falsity has replaced truth. In Zechariah,
Old men and old women will again dwell in the streets of Jerusalem. And the streets of the city will be full of boys and girls playing in the streets. Zechariah 8:4-5.
This refers to affections for truth, and consequent forms of joy and gladness. There are other places besides these, such as Isaiah 24:11; Jeremiah 5:1; 7:34; 49:26; Lamentations 2:11, 19; 4:8, 14; Zephaniah 3:6.
Luke 15
1
Then drew near unto him all the publicans and sinners for to hear him.
2
And the Pharisees and scribes murmured, saying, This man receiveth sinners, and eateth with them.
3
And he spake this parable unto them, saying,
4
What man of you, having an hundred sheep, if he lose one of them, doth not leave the ninety and nine in the wilderness, and go after that which is lost, until he find it?
5
And when he hath found it, he layeth it on his shoulders, rejoicing.
6
And when he cometh home, he calleth together his friends and neighbours, saying unto them, Rejoice with me; for I have found my sheep which was lost.
7
I say unto you, that likewise joy shall be in heaven over one sinner that repenteth, more than over ninety and nine just persons, which need no repentance.
8
Either what woman having ten pieces of silver, if she lose one piece, doth not light a candle, and sweep the house, and seek diligently till she find it?
9
And when she hath found it, she calleth her friends and her neighbours together, saying, Rejoice with me; for I have found the piece which I had lost.
10
Likewise, I say unto you, there is joy in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner that repenteth.
11
And he said, A certain man had two sons:
12
And the younger of them said to his father, Father, give me the portion of goods that falleth to me. And he divided unto them his living.
13
And not many days after the younger son gathered all together, and took his journey into a far country, and there wasted his substance with riotous living.
14
And when he had spent all, there arose a mighty famine in that land; and he began to be in want.
15
And he went and joined himself to a citizen of that country; and he sent him into his fields to feed swine.
16
And he would fain have filled his belly with the husks that the swine did eat: and no man gave unto him.
17
And when he came to himself, he said, How many hired servants of my father's have bread enough and to spare, and I perish with hunger!
18
I will arise and go to my father, and will say unto him, Father, I have sinned against heaven, and before thee,
19
And am no more worthy to be called thy son: make me as one of thy hired servants.
20
And he arose, and came to his father. But when he was yet a great way off, his father saw him, and had compassion, and ran, and fell on his neck, and kissed him.
21
And the son said unto him, Father, I have sinned against heaven, and in thy sight, and am no more worthy to be called thy son.
22
But the father said to his servants, Bring forth the best robe, and put it on him; and put a ring on his hand, and shoes on his feet:
23
And bring hither the fatted calf, and kill it; and let us eat, and be merry:
24
For this my son was dead, and is alive again; he was lost, and is found. And they began to be merry.
25
Now his elder son was in the field: and as he came and drew nigh to the house, he heard musick and dancing.
26
And he called one of the servants, and asked what these things meant.
27
And he said unto him, Thy brother is come; and thy father hath killed the fatted calf, because he hath received him safe and sound.
28
And he was angry, and would not go in: therefore came his father out, and intreated him.
29
And he answering said to his father, Lo, these many years do I serve thee, neither transgressed I at any time thy commandment: and yet thou never gavest me a kid, that I might make merry with my friends:
30
But as soon as this thy son was come, which hath devoured thy living with harlots, thou hast killed for him the fatted calf.
31
And he said unto him, Son, thou art ever with me, and all that I have is thine.
32
It was meet that we should make merry, and be glad: for this thy brother was dead, and is alive again; and was lost, and is found.
