7011. 'And you are to take this rod in your hand' means Divine power in these [two kinds of truth]. This is clear from the meaning of 'rod' as power, dealt with in 4013, 4015, 4876, 4936, especially when it is held in the hand since 'hand' means spiritual power and 'rod' natural power.

There is no power at all in the natural unless it receives it from the spiritual, just as a rod has none unless it is held in the hand; and that is why it says that he was 'to take it in his hand'. Used in reference to the Lord 'hand' means the power going forth from His Divine Rational, and 'rod' the power going forth from His Divine Natural, see 6947. Divine power is said to be in these - the kinds of truth dealt with above - because power has reference to truth, 3091, 6344, 6427, 6948.

4016. 'And he set the rods which he had stripped in runners' means further preparation. This is clear from what appears below, for there the subject is that which is effected within the natural by the interior power of truth. For 'rods' means power, 4013, 4015, 'stripping' an ordering effected by the interior man, 4015, and 'runners' the good of truth within the natural, 3095.