498. This first state after death lasts a few days for some people, months for some, and a year for some, but rarely more than a year for anyone. The difference for particular individuals depends on the harmony or discord between their inner and outer natures. These inner and outer natures must act as one and correspond for everyone. No one is allowed to think and intend one way and speak and act another way in the spiritual world. Everyone must be an image of his or her affection or love, which means we must be outwardly what we are inwardly. This is why the outer concerns of a spirit are first stripped off and brought into order: so that they may serve as a plane responsive to the inner ones.
Arcana Coelestia #8674
8674. 'And Jethro said, Blessed be Jehovah' means that the Lord is the source of all good. This is clear from the meaning of 'blessed be Jehovah' as the Lord's being the source of all good, dealt with in 1096, 1422, 3140, 'Jehovah' being the Lord, see above in 8671. The reason why 'blessed be Jehovah' means that the Lord is the source of all good is that the blessing which man receives holds within it all the good of eternal life, that is, the good of love to the Lord and towards the neighbour, 3406, 4981. Such good is what constitutes eternal life with a person.