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Jeremija 50

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1 Reč koju reče Gospod za Vavilon i za zemlju haldejsku preko Jeremije proroka.

2 Javite narodima i razglasite, podignite zastavu, razglasite, ne tajite, recite: Uze se Vavilon, posrami se Vil, razbi se Merodah; posramiše se idoli njegovi, razbiše se gadni bogovi njegovi.

3 Jer se narod podiže na nj sa severa, koji će mu zemlju opusteti, da neće biti nikoga da živi u njoj; i ljudi i stoka pobeći će i otići.

4 U te dane i u to vreme, govori Gospod, doći će sinovi Izrailjevi i sinovi Judini zajedno, ići će plačući i tražiće Gospoda Boga svog.

5 Pitaće za put u Sion, i obrativši se onamo reći će: Hodite, sjedinimo se s Gospodom zavetom večnim, koji se ne zaboravlja.

6 Narod je moj stado izgubljeno; pastiri njegovi zavedoše ga, te luta po gorama, ide s brda na humove, zaboravivši stan svoj.

7 Ko ih nađe, proždiraše ih, i neprijatelji njihovi govoriše: Nećemo biti krivi, jer zgrešiše Gospodu, stanu pravde, Gospodu, nadi otaca njihovih.

8 Bežite iz Vavilona i iziđite iz zemlje haldejske i budite kao ovnovi pred stadom.

9 Jer, evo, ja ću podignuti i dovešću na Vavilon zbor velikih naroda iz zemlje severne, koji će se uvrstati da se biju s njim, i uzeće ga; strele su im kao u dobrog junaka, ne vraćaju se prazne.

10 I zemlja će se haldejska opleniti, svi koji će je pleniti nasitiće se, govori Gospod.

11 Jer se veseliste, jer se radovaste pleneći moje nasledstvo; jer besneste kao junica na travi i rzaste kao jaki konji.

12 Mati se vaša osramoti vrlo, roditeljka vaša postide se; evo biće poslednja među narodima, pustinja, zemlja suva i pustoš.

13 Od gneva Gospodnjeg neće se u njoj živeti, nego će sva opusteti; ko god prođe mimo Vavilona, čudiće se i zviždaće radi svih rana njegovih.

14 Postavite se oko Vavilona svi koji natežete luk, streljajte ga, ne žalite strela; jer je sagrešio Gospodu.

15 Vičite na nj unaokolo; pruža ruku; temelji mu padoše, zidovi su mu razvaljeni; jer je osveta Gospodnja, osvetite mu se; kako je činio, onako mu činite.

16 Istrebite iz Vavilona sejača i onog koji maše srpom o žetvi; od mača nasilnikovog neka se vrati svaki svom narodu, i svaki u svoju zemlju neka beži.

17 Izrailj je stado razagnano, lavovi ga rasplašiše; najpre ga jede car asirski, a posle mu kosti izlomi Navuhodonosor, car vavilonski.

18 Zato ovako veli Gospod nad vojskama, Bog Izrailjev: Evo, ja ću pohoditi cara vavilonskog i zemlju njegovu, kao što sam pohodio cara asirskog.

19 I povratiću Izrailja u torove njegove, i pašće po Karmilu i Vasanu; i po gori Jefremovoj i Galadu sitiće se duša njegova.

20 U one dane i u ono vreme, govori Gospod, tražiće se bezakonje Izrailjevo, ali ga neće biti; i gresi Judini, ali se neće naći, jer ću oprostiti onima koje ostavim.

21 Iziđi na zemlju meratijamsku i na stanovnike fekodske; zatri i istrebi iza njih, govori Gospod, i učini sve kako ti zapovedim.

22 Vika je ubojna u zemlji i polom velik.

23 Kako se slomi i skrši malj cele zemlje? Kako Vavilon posta čudo među narodima?

24 Ja ti metnuh zamku, Vavilone, i ti se uhvati ne doznavši, našao si se i uhvatio si se, jer si se zaratio s Gospodom.

25 Gospod otvori riznicu svoju i izvadi oružje gneva svog; jer je to delo Gospoda Gospoda nad vojskama u zemlji haldejskoj.

26 Hodite na nju s kraja zemlje, otvorite žitnice njene; gazite je kao stogove, i potrite je da ne ostane od nje ostatka.

27 Pokoljite mačem sve teoce njene, neka siđu na zaklanje; teško njima! Jer dođe dan njihov, vreme pohođenja njihovog.

28 Čuje se glas onih koji beže i koji pobegoše iz zemlje vavilonske da jave u Sionu osvetu Gospoda Boga našeg, osvetu dvora Njegovog.

29 Sazovite na Vavilon mnoštvo; svi koji natežete luk, stanite u logor prema njemu unaokolo da ne pobegne ni jedan, platite mu po delima njegovim; kako je činio, onako mu učinite, jer se je suprot Gospodu uznosio, suprot Svecu Izrailjevom.

30 Zato će mladići njegovi pasti po ulicama njegovim, i svi će vojnici njegovi izginuti u onaj dan, govori Gospod.

31 Evo mene na tebe, ponositi, govori Gospod Gospod nad vojskama, jer dođe dan tvoj, vreme da te pohodim.

32 Ponositi će se spotaći i pasti, i neće biti nikoga da ga podigne; i raspaliću oganj u gradovima njegovim, i spaliće svu okolinu njegovu.

33 Ovako veli Gospod nad vojskama: Sila se čini sinovima Izrailjevim i sinovima Judinim; koji ih zarobiše, drže ih, neće da ih puste.

34 Izbavitelj je njihov silan, ime Mu je Gospod nad vojskama, On će doista braniti stvar njihovu da umiri zemlju i smete stanovnike vavilonske.

35 Mač na Haldejce, govori Gospod, i na stanovnike vavilonske i na knezove njegove i na mudrace njegove.

36 Mač na laže njegove, i poludeće; Mač na junake njegove, i prepašće se.

37 Mač na konje njegove, i na kola njegova i na svu mešavinu što je usred njega, i postaće kao žene; Mač na blago njegovo, i razgrabiće se.

38 Suša na vode njegove, i usahnuće, jer je zemlja idolska, i oko lažnih bogova luduju.

39 Zato će se onde nastaniti divlje zveri i buljine, i sove će onde stanovati; i neće se naseliti do veka i neće se u njoj živeti nikada.

40 Kao kad Gospod zatre Sodom i Gomor i susedstvo njihovo, govori Gospod, neće se niko onde naseliti, niti će se baviti u njoj sin čovečji.

41 Evo, narod će doći sa severa, velik narod, i carevi silni podignuće se od krajeva zemaljskih.

42 Luk i koplje nosiće, žestoki će biti, niti će žaliti; glas će im kao more bučati i jahaće na konjima, spremni kao junaci za boj, na tebe, kćeri vavilonska.

43 Car vavilonski kad čuje glas o njima, klonuće mu ruke, tuga će ga spopasti i bolovi kao porodilju.

44 Gle, kao lav izaći će podižući se više nego Jordan na stan Silnoga; ali ću ga brzo oterati iz te zemlje, i postaviću nad njom onog ko je izabran; jer ko je kao ja? I ko će se preti sa mnom? I koji će mi pastir odoleti?

45 Zato čujte nameru Gospodnju što je naumio za Vavilon, i misli Njegove što je smislio za zemlju haldejsku: zaista najmanji iz stada razvlačiće ih, zaista će opusteti stan s njima.

46 Od praske kad se uzme Vavilon potrešće se zemlja, i vika će se čuti po narodima.

   

From Swedenborg's Works

 

Apocalypse Explained #278

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278. Verse 7. And the first animal was like a lion, signifies the appearance, in ultimates, of Divine truth proceeding from the Lord in respect to power and effect. This is evident from the signification of "lion," as being Divine truth proceeding from the Lord in respect to power and effect (of which in what follows). It means appearance in ultimates, because the cherubim were seen as animals, and this first one like a lion. It is said in ultimates, because that appearance was before John when he was in the spirit, and he saw all things in ultimates, in which Divine celestial and Divine spiritual things are variously represented, now by gardens and paradises, now by palaces and temples, now by rivers and waters, now by living creatures of various kinds, such as lions, camels, horses, oxen, bullocks, sheep, lambs, doves, eagles, and many others. Like things were seen by the prophets through whom the Word was written, in order that the Word in its ultimates, which are the things contained in the sense of the letter, might consist of such things as exist in the world, which might be representations and correspondences of celestial and spiritual things, and thus might serve as a basis and foundation to the spiritual sense. For this reason also the cherubim (which signify the guard and providence of the Lord that the higher heavens be not approached except from the good of love and charity) were seen by John and also by Ezekiel, in respect to their faces, as animals.

Since it is the Lord who guards and provides, and this through Divine truth and Divine good, thus through His Divine wisdom and intelligence, four animals were seen, which were like a lion, a calf, a man, and an eagle; for thus by "lion" Divine truth in respect to power was represented, by "calf" Divine good in respect to protection, by "man" the Divine wisdom, and by "eagle" the Divine intelligence; which four things are included in the Lord's Divine Providence in its guarding the higher heavens, that they be not approached except from the good of love and charity.

[2] That a "lion" signifies Divine truth proceeding from the Lord in respect to power is evident from the passages in the Word in which "lion" is mentioned; as from the following, in Moses:

Judah is a lion's whelp; from the prey, my son, thou are gone up; he couched, he lay down as an old lion; who shall rouse him up? (Genesis 49:9).

"Judah" here signifies the Lord's celestial kingdom, where all are in power from the Lord through Divine truth; this power is meant by a "lion's whelp," and by an "old lion;" "the prey from which he goeth up" signifies the dispersion of falsities and evils; "to couch" signifies to put oneself into power; "lying down" signifies to be in security from every falsity and evil; therefore it is said, "Who shall rouse him up?" (That "Judah" in the Word signifies the celestial kingdom of the Lord, see Arcana Coelestia, n. 3654, 3881, 5603, 5782, 6363; that "prey," in reference to that kingdom and to the Lord, signifies the dispersion of falsities and evils, and the rescue and deliverance from hell, n. 6368, 6442; that "couching" in reference to a lion, signifies to put oneself into power, n. 6369; and that "lying down" signifies a state of security and tranquillity, n. Arcana Coelestia 3696[1-5])

[3] In the same:

At this time it shall be said to Jacob and to Israel, What hath God wrought? Behold the people riseth up as an old lion, and as a young lion doth he lift himself up; he shall not lie down until he eat of what is torn (Numbers 23:23, 24).

In the same:

He coucheth, he lieth down as an old lion; who shall rouse him up? Blessed is he that blesseth thee, and cursed is he that curseth thee (Numbers 24:9).

This is said of "Jacob and Israel," who signify the Lord's spiritual kingdom; their power is described by an "old lion" and a "young lion" rising, lifting himself up, and couching; the dispersion of falsities and evils is signified by "eating of what is torn," and a state of security and tranquillity by "he lieth down, who shall rouse him up?" (That "Jacob" and "Israel" in the Word signify the Lord's spiritual kingdom, see Arcana Coelestia 4286, 4570, 5973, 6426, 8805, 9340; what the Lord's celestial kingdom is, and what His spiritual kingdom is, see in the work on Heaven and Hell 20-28). That "to couch" is to put oneself into power; that "prey" and "spoil" mean the dispersion of falsities and evils; and that "lying down" means a state of security and tranquillity, when these things are said of a lion, see just above.

[4] In Nahum:

Where is the abode of the lions, and the feeding place of the young lions? where walked the lion, the old lion, the lion's whelp, and none maketh them afraid? (Nahum 2:11).

Here also "lions" signify those who are in power through Divine truth; "their abode" signifies where there are such in the church; their "feeding place" signifies the knowledges of truth and good; their "walking and none making them afraid" signifies their state of security from evils and falsities.

[5] In Micah:

The remnant of Jacob shall be in the midst of many peoples, as dew from Jehovah, as the drops upon the herb. As a lion among the beasts of the forest, as a young lion among the flocks of sheep, who if he go through shall tread down and tear in pieces so that none delivereth, thine hand shall be lifted up above thine adversaries, and all thine enemies shall be cut off (Micah 5:7-9).

The "remnant of Jacob" signifies the truths and goods of the church; "dew from Jehovah" signifies spiritual truth; "drops upon the herb" natural truth; "a lion among the beasts of the forest," and "a young lion among the flocks of sheep," and "treading down and tearing, and none delivering," signify power over evils and falsities; because of this signification it is said, "thine hand shall be lifted up above thine adversaries, and all thine enemies shall be cut off;" for "adversaries" signify evils, and "enemies" falsities (See Arcana Coelestia 2851[1-15], 8289, 9314, 10481).

[6] In Isaiah:

The Lord said, Go set a watchman, who may look and announce. And he saw a chariot, a pair of horsemen, an ass chariot, a camel chariot; and he harkened a hearkening; a lion upon a watch-tower called out, O lord, I stand continually in the daytime, and I am set upon my watch all the nights: Babylon is fallen, is fallen (Isaiah 21:6-9).

This treats of the coming of the Lord and a new church at that time. "A lion upon a watch-tower" signifies the Lord's guard and providence; therefore it is said, "I stand continually in the daytime, and I am set upon my watch all the nights." A "chariot" and a "pair of horsemen" signify the doctrine of truth from the Word; "harkening a harkening" signifies a life according to that doctrine. (That "chariot" signifies the doctrine of truth, see Arcana Coelestia 2761, 2762, 5321, 8029, 8215; that "horseman" signifies the Word in respect to the understanding, see n. 2761, 6401, 6534, 7024, 8146, 8148.)

[7] In the same:

Like as the lion and the young lion roareth over what he hath torn which 1 a multitude of shepherds meeteth, so shall Jehovah come down to fight upon Mount Zion and upon the hill thereof (Isaiah 31:4).

Here Jehovah is compared to "a roaring lion," because a "lion" signifies power to lead forth from hell or from evils, and to "roar" signifies defense against evils and falsities; therefore it is said, "so shall Jehovah Zebaoth come down to fight upon Mount Zion and upon the hill thereof," "Mount Zion and the hill thereof" meaning the celestial church and the spiritual church; and "that which is torn over which the lion and the young lion roar" signifying deliverance from evils, which are from hell.

[8] To "roar" when attributed to a lion, has the same signification in Hosea:

I will not return to destroy Ephraim. They shall go after Jehovah as a lion roareth (Hosea 11:9-10).

In Amos:

The lion hath roared, who does not fear? The Lord Jehovih hath spoken, who will not prophesy (Amos 3:8).

In Revelation:

The angel cried with a great voice, as a lion roared (Revelation 10:3).

In David:

The lions roaring after their prey and seeking their food from God. The sun ariseth, they gather themselves together and lie down in their abodes (Psalms 104:21-22).

These words in David describe the state of the angels of heaven when they are not in a state of intense love and of wisdom therefrom, and when they return into that state; the former state is described by "lions roaring after their prey, and seeking their food from God;" the latter state by "the sun ariseth, they gather themselves together and lie down in their abodes." By the "lions" the angels of heaven are meant; their "roaring," means desire; "prey" and "food" mean the good which is of love and the truth which is of wisdom; "the sun arising" means the Lord in respect to love and wisdom therefrom; "gathering themselves together" means returning into a celestial state; and "lying down in their abodes," a state of tranquility and peace. (Of these two states of the angels in heaven see in the work on Heaven and Hell 154-161.)

[9] Because Jehovah is compared to a lion from Divine truth in respect to power, therefore the Lord is called a "lion" in Revelation:

Behold the lion that is of the tribe of Judah, the root of David, hath overcome (Revelation 5:5).

And because all power is from the Lord through Divine truth, this also is signified by a "lion," as in Moses:

Of Gad he said, Blessed is he who hath given the breadth to Gad; as a lion he dwelleth, he teareth the arm, yea, the crown of the head (Deuteronomy 33:20).

"Gad" in the highest sense signifies omnipotence, and therefore in the representative sense the power that is of truth (See Arcana Coelestia 3934[1-8], 3935); therefore it is said, "Blessed is he who hath given breadth to Gad," for "breadth" signifies truth (Arcana Coelestia 1613, 34 33, 3434, 4482, 9487, 10179; that all power is from Divine truth, see in the work on Heaven and Hell, in the chapter on The Power of the Angels in Heaven, n. 228-233).

[10] Because a "lion" signifies power, therefore in the lamentations of David over Saul and Jonathan it is said:

Saul and Jonathan were lovely, they were swifter than eagles, they were stronger than lions (2 Samuel 1:23). "Saul" here as king, and "Jonathan" as the son of a king, mean truth protecting the church, since the doctrine of truth and good is here treated of, for that lamentation was written "to teach the sons of Judah the bow" (verse 18); and "bow" signifies that doctrine (See Arcana Coelestia, 2686, 2709, 6422).

[11] Because "the kings of Judah and Israel" represented the Lord in respect to Divine truth, and because a "throne" represented the judgment, which is effected according to Divine truth, and because "lions" represented power, guard, and protection against falsities and evils, therefore near the two stays of the throne built by Solomon there were two lions, and twelve lions on the six steps on the one side and on the other (1 Kings 10:18-20). From this it can be seen what "lions" in the Word signify when the Lord, heaven, and the church are treated of. "Lions" in the Word signify also the power of falsity from evil by which the church is destroyed and devastated. As in Jeremiah:

The young lions roar against her, 2 they give forth their voice, they reduce the land to wasteness (Jeremiah 2:15).

In Isaiah:

A nation whose arrows are sharp, and all his bows bent, the hoofs of his horses are accounted as rock, his roaring like that of a lion, he roareth like a young lion, and he growleth and seizeth the prey (Isaiah 5:28-29).

Besides many other places (as in Isaiah 11:6; 35:9; Jeremiah 4:7; 5:6; 12:8; 50:17; 51:38; Ezekiel 19:3, 5-6; Hosea 13:7, 8; Joel 1:6-7; Psalms 17:12; 22:13; 57:4; 58:6; 91:13).

Footnotes:

1. For "which" the Hebrew has "when . . . meeteth him," as found in Arcana Coelestia 1664.

2. For "her" the Hebrew has "him"; cf. Apocalypse Explained 601.

  
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Thanks to the Swedenborg Foundation for their permission to use this translation.