5703. 'And they took their seats in front of him' means that they were ranged in order, as determined by his presence. This is clear from the meaning of 'taking one's seat' here as being ranged in order, for they were placed in order by Joseph, as is evident from what immediately follows - they were astonished that the firstborn took his seat according to his birthright, while the youngest took his according to his youth; and from the meaning of 'in front of him' as determined by his presence.

[2] The truth of the matter is that in the highest sense 'Joseph' represents the Lord, 'the sons of Israel' the forms of good and the truths in the natural. When the Lord is present His very presence arranges everything into order. The Lord is order itself, and therefore wherever He is present order exists, and wherever order exists He is present. That order is described in what follows next, the aim of that order being to see that truths are properly arranged beneath good.

3339. In the next life those forms of light, and also those forms of warmth, manifest themselves visually. Angels live within the light of heaven and also within the warmth that has been spoken of. From that light they receive intelligence, and from that warmth the affection for good. Indeed the forms of light seen with their external sight have their origin in the Lord's Divine wisdom, and the forms of warmth which are also felt by them have their origin in the Lord's Divine love. To the extent therefore that spirits and angels possess intelligence in truth and affection for good they are closer to the Lord.