7235. 'Lead the children of Israel out of the land of Egypt' means that those who belonged to the Lord's spiritual kingdom were to be delivered, that is to say, from close proximity to those steeped in falsities. This is clear from the meaning of 'leading out' as delivering; from the representation of the 'children of Israel' as those who belong to the Lord's spiritual kingdom, dealt with in 6426, 6637, and also in 6862, 6868, 7075, 7062, 7198, 7201, 7215, 7223; and from the meaning of 'the land of Egypt' as the place where the falsities are which are used to carry out molestations.

7075. I spoke to them further about this subject on another occasion; and since I knew that they talked to people on their own planet I asked them in what way they instruct those who inhabit it. They said that they do not tell them all about a matter; nevertheless they instill some discernment of it in order that this may feed and increase their curiosity. For if they gave answers to everything their curiosity would die. They went on to say that they put contrary ideas in the way for the further purpose that truth may subsequently be seen all the better; for when compared with opposite ideas all truth becomes apparent.