5297. For food in the cities. That this signifies such things in the interiors of the natural mind, is evident from the signification of “food,” as being all things that are of use, thus truths and goods (of which just above, n. 5293); and from the signification of “cities,” as being the interiors of the natural mind. In the universal sense “cities” signify the doctrinal things of the church (see n. 402, 2268, 2449, 2451, 2712, 2943, 3216, 4492, 4493); but in an individual sense they signify the interiors of man where doctrinal things are, or rather where are truths conjoined with good. That the truths and goods in man form as it were a city, may be seen above (n. 3584); and hence that man himself in whom is the church is called the “city of God.” The signification of a “city” is circumstanced as is that of a “house.” In the universal sense a “house” signifies good, but in the individual sense it signifies a man (n. 3128), and specifically his mind as to the good and truth conjoined in it (n. 3538, 4973, 5023); and a house with its apartments, outbuildings, and courts, is a city in the least form.

[2] The interiors of the natural mind are signified by “cities” in Isaiah:

In that day there shall be five cities in the land of Egypt that speak with the lips of Canaan, and that swear to Jehovah Zebaoth (Isaiah 19:18);

and the goods and truths in the interiors are signified by the “cities” in the Lord’s parable in Luke:

He said to him that by the pound had made ten pounds, Well done thou good servant; because thou hast been faithful in a very little, be thou over ten cities. And he said to the second, who had made five pounds, Be thou also over five cities (Luke 19:12.).

Here therefore by “heaping up food in the cities and guarding it,” is signified that truths conjoined with good were to be stored up in the interiors of the natural mind; and when these truths and goods have been stored up there, they are called “remains,” in which the veriest spiritual life of man consists, and from which he is spiritually nourished in every case of need and want, that is, in every spiritual famine.

5023. Until his lord came to his house. That this signifies that it might communicate with natural good, is evident from the signification of the “lord,” as being good natural not spiritual (n. 4973, 4988). A “house” in the internal sense is the natural mind, for the natural mind, as also the rational mind, is like a house: the husband therein is good, the wife is truth, the daughters and sons are affections of good and truth, and also goods and truth derived from the former as parents; the maidservants and menservants are the pleasures and memory-knowledges which minister and confirm. Here therefore by “until his lord came to his house” is signified until natural good came to its dwelling place, where there is also truth conjoined with it; but here falsity persuading good that it is truth, for good natural not spiritual is easily persuaded that falsity is truth, and that truth is falsity. It is said “his lord,” because the natural not spiritual considers the spiritual as a servant (n. 5013).

[2] That the natural and the rational mind of man are called a “house,” is evident from the following passages:

When the unclean spirit is gone out from a man, he wandereth through dry places, seeking rest; and if he findeth it not, he saith, I will return unto my house whence I came out. And if on coming he findeth it swept and garnished, he then goeth away and taketh to him seven other spirits worse than himself; and they enter in and dwell there (Luke 11:24-26).

The “house” here denotes the natural mind, which is called a “house that is empty and swept” when there are within it no goods and truths, which are the husband and wife; no affections of good and truth, which are the daughters and sons; nor such things as confirm, which are the maidservants and menservants. The man himself is the “house,” because the rational and the natural mind make the man; and without these things, that is, without goods and truths and their affections and the ministry of these affections, he is not a man, but a brute.

[3] The mind of man is also meant by a “house” in the same evangelist:

Every kingdom divided against itself is laid waste, and house falleth upon house (Luke 11:17);

And in Mark:

If a kingdom be divided against itself, this kingdom cannot stand. And if a house be divided against itself, this house cannot stand. No one can pillage the vessels of a strong man after entering into his house, unless he first bind the strong man; and then he pillages his house (Mark 3:24-25, 27);

by “kingdom” is signified truth (n. 1672, 2547, 4691), and by “house,” good (n. 2233, 2234, 3720, 4982); “house” signifies good in an eminent sense.

[4] In Luke:

If the master of the house had known in what hour the thief would come, he would at least have watched, and would not have suffered his house to be broken through (Luke 12:39).

Again:

From henceforth there shall be five in one house [divided], three against two, and two against three. The father shall be divided against the son, and the son against the father; the mother against the daughter, and the daughter against the mother (Luke 12:52-53); where the subject treated of is the spiritual combats into which those who are of the church will come, after the internal or spiritual things of the Word have been opened. The “house” denotes man, or his mind; “father,” “mother,” “son,” and “daughter” are goods and truths with their affections, and in the opposite sense evils and falsities with their affections, from which and with which there is combat.

[5] The Lord’s command to His disciples:

Into whatsoever house ye enter, first say, Peace be to this house; and if a son of peace be there, your peace shall rest upon it; but if not, it shall return upon you; but remain in the same house; eat and drink what they have; pass not from house to house (Luke 10:5-7);

represented that they should abide in good itself, that is, in the good of love to the Lord and of charity toward the neighbor, and not pass into any other. (That man or his mind is a “house” may be seen also above, n. 3538, 4973)