1672. And the kings that were with him. That this signifies the apparent truth which is of that good, is evident from the signification of “kings” in the Word. “Kings,” “kingdoms,” and “peoples,” in the historical and the prophetical parts of the Word, signify truths and the things which are of truths, as may be abundantly confirmed. In the Word an accurate distinction is made between a “people” and a “nation;” by a “people” are signified truths, and by a “nation” goods, as before shown (n. 1259, 1260). “Kings” are predicated of peoples, but not so much of nations. Before the sons of Israel sought for kings, they were a nation, and represented good, or the celestial; but after they desired a king, and received one, they became a people, and did not represent good or the celestial, but truth or the spiritual; which was the reason why this was imputed to them as a fault (see 1 Samuel 8:7-22, concerning which subject, of the Lord’s Divine mercy elsewhere). As Chedorlaomer is named here, and it is added, “the kings that were with him,” both good and truth are signified; by “Chedorlaomer,” good, and by “the kings,” truth. But what was the quality of the good and truth at the beginning of the Lord’s temptations has already been stated.

9381. Verses 3-5 And Moses came and reported to the people all Jehovah's words and all the judgements; and all the people answered with one voice and said, All the words which Jehovah has spoken we will do. And Moses wrote all Jehovah's words. And he rose early in the morning, and built an altar under ¹ the mountain, and twelve pillars for the twelve tribes of Israel. And he sent boys of the children of Israel, and they offered burnt offerings, and sacrificed peace offerings - young bulls - to Jehovah.

'And Moses came and reported to the people' means enlightenment and instruction by the Lord, imparted through Divine Truth which springs from Him. 'All Jehovah's words and all the judgements' means things in the Word which are rules of life in the spiritual state and in the natural state. 'And all the people answered with one voice' means an acceptance with the understanding by those who truly belong to the Church. 'And said, All the words which Jehovah has spoken we will do' means an acceptance at the same time with the heart. 'And Moses wrote all Jehovah's words' means imprinting them at the same time on the life. 'And he rose early in the morning' means joy from the Lord. 'And built an altar under the mountain' means a representative sign of the Lord's Divine Human in respect of Divine Good from Him. 'And twelve pillars for the twelve tribes of Israel' means a representative sign of the Lord's Divine Human in respect of God's truth which springs wholly and completely from Him. 'And he sent boys of the children of Israel' means those things that belong to innocence and charity. 'And they offered burnt offerings, and sacrificed peace offerings - young bulls - to Jehovah' means a representative sign of worship of the Lord springing from good, and from truth rooted in good.

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