Water generally represents “natural truth,” or true concepts about day-to-day matters and physical things. Since all water ultimately flows into the seas, then, it follows that a sea represents a huge agglomeration of such natural truths -- usually all of the natural truth a person has, or all the natural truth a church has. Water in the sea mixes freely, and is easily stirred up by winds and currents. This is also true of the concepts we hold about natural things -- they are not all related to each other, and when relationships do exist they usually can change without damaging the concepts themselves. Many of the concepts are easily disputed, and arguments can arise like waves on the ocean -- generally with little effect other than a mixing of waters. But the sea also offers great bounty. We draw fish from it (spiritual food), float ships (doctrinal systems) on it, bathe in it (using true concepts to purify ourselves), and the water that evaporates from it and falls as rain (purer forms of truth that can attach to desires for good) makes life possible.

358. “脸沉了下来” 表内在的变化, 这一点从 “脸” 和 “沉下” 的意思明显可知. 古人用 “脸” 来表示内在之物, 因为内在的东西会从脸上透露出来; 上古之人的表情与内在完全一致, 以致于看一个人的脸就能知道他的性情或心情如何. 他们视表面一套, 心里一套为骇人之事. 伪装与欺骗在那时被认为是可憎的, 因此, 内在之物用 “脸” 来表示. 当仁从脸上发出, 就说脸 “仰” 起来; 反之, 则说脸 “沉” 下来. 这也解释了为什么主赐福时就说祂 “向人仰脸” (民数记 6:26; 诗篇 4:6), 这表示主赐人以仁.

“脸沉下来” 的意思从耶利米书的经文可以看出来:

耶和华说: “我将不向你们沉下脸来, 因为我是慈爱的.” (耶利米书 3:12)

“耶和华的脸” 表慈爱 (或慈悲), 当祂向人 “仰起脸” 时, 意味着祂出于慈悲而赐人以仁. 当祂 “沉下脸” (*有时译作 “变脸”), 也就是人的脸沉下来时, 情况刚好相反.