8562. And there was no water for the people to drink. That this signifies a lack of truth and of the consequent refreshment, is evident from the signification of “water,” as being the truth of faith (see n. 2702, 3058, 3424, 4976, 5668); and from the signification of “drinking,” as being to be instructed in the truths of faith and to receive them (n. 3069, 3772, 4017, 4018), here, to be refreshed; for as water and drink refresh the natural life, so truths and the knowledges of truth refresh the spiritual life. For he who is in spiritual life longs for the sustenance thereof from such things as are called heavenly food and drink, which are the goods and truths of faith; in like manner as he who is in natural life longs for sustenance from such things as are natural food and drink.

[2] That temptation as to truth is now treated of, is because temptation as to good was treated of just before, after which temptation they received the manna, by which is signified good. For when man is endowed with good by the Lord, he comes into a longing for truth, and this longing is kindled according to the lack of truth, because good continually strives after truth. All the genuine affection of truth is from good. The case herein is like food, which without drink cannot nourish the natural life; and it is also like it in that food longs for drink, with which it may be conjoined so as to serve for use. This then is the reason why temptation as to truth follows immediately after temptation as to good. Temptation attacks that which a man loves and longs for (n. 4274, 4299).

117. And tribulation. That this signifies anxiety from the desire to know truths, is evident from the signification of tribulation, as being such anxiety; for those are here treated of who wish to understand the Word, and do not yet well understand it (as may be seen above, n. 112), and these are in a state of anxiety as to the spirit when they do not understand. That they have such anxiety when they do not understand, none can know but those who are in the affection of truth for the sake of truth, thus, who are in spiritual affection. Who these are, may be seen above (n. 115). The reason is, that they are conjoined to the angels of heaven, who continually desire truths, because they desire intelligence and wisdom. They desire these as the hungry desire food; therefore, also, intelligence and wisdom are called spiritual food. This desire man has from his infancy, because, when he is an infant, and afterwards when he becomes a boy, he is conjoined to heaven; and this desire is from heaven, but it perishes with those who turn themselves to the world. From these considerations it may be known what the anxiety of mind, or spiritual anxiety, is, which is here signified by tribulation.

[2] The reason why they have such anxiety when they read the Word and do not well understand it, is, that all the truths of heaven and the church are from the Word, and lie concealed in its spiritual sense, but are not opened to any except those who are conjoined with heaven, because that sense of the Word is in heaven. But the spiritual sense itself of the Word - does not flow into man directly from heaven, but it flows into his affection, and by this into the knowledges (cognitiones) which he has, and thus enkindles his desire, and then, so far as he can see from the literal sense of the Word, so far he receives the genuine truths of the church. Every one who is in the spiritual affection of truth perceives that there are few things which he knows, and infinitely numerous things which he does not know. He knows also that to know and acknowledge this, is the first step to wisdom; and that those have not arrived at the first step to wisdom who pride themselves on their knowledge (scientia), and thence believe themselves to be highly intelligent. Such persons also are in the habit of being more proud of falsities than of truths, for they have regard to their own fame, and are influenced by that alone, and not by the truth itself. Such are those who are only in a natural affection, and the desire thence derived (concerning whom also see above, n.115).