4378. And that the flocks and the herds are suckling with me. That this signifies goods both interior and natural, which as yet have not acquired Divine life, is evident from the signification of “flocks,” as being interior goods (n. 2566, 3783); and from the signification of “herds,” as being exterior or natural goods (n. 2566, and further, n. 2180, 2781); and from the signification of “suckling,” as being also recent goods, here spiritual goods that are being born in the natural. For in the state of infancy (in relation to the regeneration of man) spiritual things are in potency within; for spiritual life develops successively from one age to another, as from an egg. The age of infancy is as an egg to the age of childhood, and the age of childhood is as an egg to the age of youth and early manhood, and this as an egg to adult age; so that man is as it were being born continually. From this it is evident what is meant by goods both interior and natural which as yet have not acquired Divine life, and which are here signified by the flocks and the herds that are suckling. (See also what was said just above concerning the state of infancy, n. 4377)

3784. Verses 7-8. And he said, Behold as yet the day is great, it is not time for the cattle to be gathered together: water ye the flock, and go and feed them. And they said, We cannot until all the droves are gathered together, and they roll the stone from the well’s mouth; then shall we water the flock. “And he said, Behold as yet the day is great,” signifies that now the state was advancing; “it is not time for the cattle to be gathered together,” signifies that the goods and truths of the churches and of doctrinal things could not as yet be gathered into a one; “water ye the flock and go and feed them,” signifies instruction therefrom to a few; “and they said, We cannot until all the droves are gathered together,” signifies that they ought to be together; “and they roll the stone from the well’s mouth,” signifies that thus the things of the Word are disclosed; “then shall we water the flock,” signifies that then they are instructed.