The Bible

 

Postanak 28

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1 Stoga Izak pozove Jakova, blagoslovi ga te mu naloži: "Nemoj uzimati ženu od kanaanskih djevojaka.

2 Odmah se zaputi u Padan Aram, u dom Betuela, oca svoje majke, pa odande sebi uzmi ženu, od kćeri Labana, brata svoje majke.

3 A Bog Svemožni, El-Šadaj, neka te blagoslovi i neka te učini rodnim i brojnim, tako da postaneš mnoštvo naroda.

4 Neka protegne na te blagoslov Abrahamov, na te i na tvoje potomstvo, tako da zaposjedneš zemlju u kojoj boraviš kao pridošlica, a koju je Bog predao Abrahamu!"

5 Tako Izak otpremi Jakova, i on ode u Padan Aram Labanu, sinu Aramejca Betuela, bratu Rebeke, majke Jakova i Ezava.

6 Kad je Ezav vidio kako je Izak blagoslovio Jakova kad ga je otpremao u Padan Aram da odande sebi uzme ženu, naređujući mu kad ga je blagoslivljao: "Ne smiješ uzeti ženu od kanaanskih djevojaka",

7 i da je Jakov poslušao svoga oca i svoju majku te otišao u Padan Aram,

8 Ezav shvati koliko su djevojke kanaanske mrske njegovu ocu Izaku.

9 Stoga ode k Jišmaelu te se, uza žene koje već imaše, oženi Mahalatom, kćerju Jišmaela, sina Abrahamova, a sestrom Nebajotovom.

10 Jakov ostavi Beer Šebu i zaputi se u Haran.

11 Stigne u neko mjesto i tu prenoći, jer sunce bijaše već zašlo. Uzme jedan kamen s onog mjesta, stavi ga pod glavu i na tom mjestu legne.

12 I usne san: ljestve stoje na zemlji, a vrhom do neba dopiru, i anđeli Božji po njima se penju i silaze.

13 Uza nj je Jahve te mu govori: "Ja sam Jahve, Bog tvoga praoca Abrahama i Bog Izakov. Zemlju na kojoj ležiš dat ću tebi i tvome potomstvu.

14 Tvojih će potomaka biti kao i praha na zemlji; raširit ćete se na zapad, istok, sjever i jug; tobom će se i tvojim potomstvom blagoslivljati svi narodi zemlje.

15 Dobro znaj: ja sam s tobom; čuvat ću te kamo god pođeš te ću te dovesti natrag u ovu zemlju; i neću te ostaviti dok ne izvršim što sam ti obećao."

16 Jakov se probudi od sna te reče: "Zaista se Jahve nalazi na ovome mjestu, ali ja nisam znao!"

17 Potresen, uzviknu: "Kako je strašno ovo mjesto! Zaista, ovo je kuća Božja, ovo su vrata nebeska!"

18 Rano ujutro Jakov uzme onaj kamen što ga bijaše stavio pod glavu, uspravi ga kao stup i po vrhu mu izlije ulja.

19 Ono mjesto on nazva Betel, dok je ime tome gradu prije bilo Luz.

20 Tada učini zavjet: "Ako Bog ostane sa mnom i uščuva me na ovom putu kojim idem, dade mi kruha da jedem i odijela da se oblačim,

21 te se zdravo vratim kući svoga oca, Jahve će biti moj Bog.

22 A ovaj kamen koji sam uspravio kao stup bit će kuća Božja. A od svega što mi budeš davao za te ću odlagati desetinu."

   

From Swedenborg's Works

 

Arcana Coelestia #4242

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4242. 'And he commanded them, saying, Thus shall you say to my lord Esau' means the first acknowledgement that good occupied the higher position. This becomes clear from the meaning here of 'commanding the messengers to say' as reflection and consequent perception that this is so, dealt with in 3661, 3682, and therefore as acknowledgement; and from the representation of 'Esau' as good, dealt with above in 4234, 4239. The acknowledgement that it occupied the higher position is meant by his calling Esau not his brother but his 'lord' and also by calling himself in the next breath his 'servant', and likewise further on. For while a person is being regenerated truth seemingly occupies first position and good second, but once he has been regenerated good occupies first and truth second, see 1904, 2063, 2189, 2697, 2979, 3286, 3288, 3310 (end), 3325, 3330, 3332, 3336, 3470, 3509, 3539, 3548, 3556, 3563, 3570, 3576, 3579, 3603, 3701. This is also what is meant by the prophetic utterances made by father to son - when Isaac declared to Esau,

By your sword you will live, and you will serve your brother; and it will be, when you have dominion over him, that you will break his yoke from above your neck. Genesis 27:40.

It is the turning round within this state, foretold in these prophetic utterances, that is dealt with here.

  
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Thanks to the Swedenborg Society for the permission to use this translation.

From Swedenborg's Works

 

Arcana Coelestia #2697

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2697. 'Lift the boy up' means the spiritual as regards truth. This is clear from the meaning of 'the boy' as the spiritual, in particular as regards truth, dealt with in 2677, 2687. For the member of the spiritual Church is regenerated seemingly by means of the truths of faith; but he is not aware that in fact he is regenerated by means of the good allied to truth. For that good is not observable, but presents itself solely in the affection for truth, and after that in a life according to truth. In no way can anyone be regenerated by means of truth unless good accompanies that truth, for truth devoid of good has no life. Consequently no new life at all can come through truth separated from good; but a person acquires it through regeneration.

  
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Thanks to the Swedenborg Society for the permission to use this translation.