668. 'Sons' means truths and 'wives' goods. This also has been shown already at Chapter 5:4 where the phrase 'sons and daughters' is used. Here however it is 'sons and wives', for 'wives' are goods which have been joined to truths. Indeed no truth can ever be brought forth unless some good or delight exists for it to spring from. Within good and delight there is life, but not within truth apart from that which it derives from good and delight. It is from these that truth is given form and develops, even as faith, which is connected with truth, is given form by and develops out of love, which is connected with good. Truth is like light; there is no light apart from that which flows from the sun or flame. It is from these that light is given form. Truth is merely the form which good takes, and faith merely the form which love takes. The form that truth takes depends therefore on the character of its good, as does that of faith on that of its love or charity. This is the reason why 'wife' and 'wives who mean goods that have been joined to truths are meant at this point. This also is why in the next verse reference is made to pairs of all, male and female, entering the ark, for without goods joined to truths regeneration does not take place.
Deuteronomy 29:12-15
12
that you may enter into the covenant of Yahweh your God, and into his oath, which Yahweh your God makes with you this day;
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that he may establish you this day to himself for a people, and that he may be to you a God, as he spoke to you, and as he swore to your fathers, to Abraham, to Isaac, and to Jacob.
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Neither with you only do I make this covenant and this oath,
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but with him who stands here with us this day before Yahweh our God, and also with him who is not here with us this day
