5248. And changed his garments. That this signifies as to what is of the interior natural, by putting on what is suitable, is evident from the signification of “changing,” as being to remove and reject; and from the signification of “garments,” as being what is of the interior natural (of which presently); hence it follows that what was suitable (signified by the new “garments”) was put on. “Garments” are often mentioned in the Word, and thereby are meant things beneath or without, and that cover things above or within; and therefore by “garments” are signified man’s external, consequently his natural, because this covers his internal and spiritual. Specifically by “garments” are signified truths that are of faith, because these cover the goods that are of charity. This signification has its origin from the garments in which spirits and angels appear clothed. Spirits appear in garments devoid of brightness, but angels in garments that are bright and are as it were made of brightness, for the very brightness around them appears as a garment, as appeared the raiment of the Lord when He was transfigured, which was “as the light” (Matthew 17:2), and was “white and flashing” (Luke 9:29). From their garments also the quality of spirits and angels can be known in respect to the truths of faith, because these are represented by garments, but truths of faith such as they are in the natural; for such as they are in the rational appears from the face and its beauty. The brightness of their garments comes from the good of love and of charity, which by shining through causes the brightness. From all this it is evident what is represented in the spiritual world by the garments, and consequently what is meant by “garments” in the spiritual sense. But the garments that Joseph changed, that is, put off, were the garments of the pit or prison, and by these are signified things fallacious and false, which in a state of temptations are excited by evil genii and spirits; and therefore by his “changing his garments” is signified rejection and change in respect to what is of the interior natural, and the garments he put on denoted such things as would be suitable, and therefore the putting on of things suitable is signified. See what has before been said and shown concerning garments: that what is celestial is not clothed, but what is spiritual and natural (n. 297); that “garments” denote truths relatively lower (n. 1073, 2576); that changing the garments was a representative of holy truths being put on, whence also came the changes of garments (n. 4545); that rending the garments was representative of mourning over truth lost and destroyed (see n. 4763 and what is signified by him that came in, not having on a wedding garment (n. 2132).
Arcana Coelestia #10637
10637. 'Observe that which I command you this day' means, if they carry out those chief things laid down by eternal truth. This is clear from the meaning of 'observing' as, if those who acknowledge the Word do so, for 'Moses' [to whom the command 'Observe' is addressed] represents the Word, as above; and from the meaning of 'that which Jehovah commands this day' as the chief things laid down by eternal truth, for the things that Jehovah commands are Divine Truths, and 'this day' means what is eternal, 2838, 3998, 4304, 6165, 6984, 9939. Those eternal truths are what verses 12-27 below contain in the internal sense. But the matters contained in the external sense are not eternal truths, only laws that the Israelite nation was required to adhere to because of the truths those laws held within them, for they serve to mean and so incorporate those truths. Furthermore the need for that nation to adhere to those laws existed up until the Lord disclosed the inner reaches of the Word; once these had been disclosed the outward laws incorporating them were set aside. For when a person worships the Lord in faith and love for Him, which are internal things, he has no need of the external things serving to mean them; for then those internal things themselves reside with him, and not types and shadows of them. All this was so with the commands that the feast of unleavened bread should be kept in the month of Abib and that during it unleavened bread should be eaten for seven days; that all things opening the womb should be given to God; that whatever opened the womb among asses should be redeemed or else have its neck broken; that the firstborn of sons were to be redeemed; that the feast of weeks should be celebrated, and also the feast of ingathering; that three times in the year every male should be seen before Jehovah; that they should not offer sacrifices with anything made from yeast; and that a kid should not be boiled in its mother's milk. But although obedience to these outward laws has been set aside they are still the holy and Divine things of the Word, because what they hold within them internally is holy.
Luke 9
1
He called the twelve together, and gave them power and authority over all demons, and to cure diseases.
2
He sent them forth to preach the Kingdom of God, and to heal the sick.
3
He said to them, "Take nothing for your journey--neither staffs, nor wallet, nor bread, nor money; neither have two coats apiece.
4
Into whatever house you enter, stay there, and depart from there.
5
As many as don't receive you, when you depart from that city, shake off even the dust from your feet for a testimony against them."
6
They departed, and went throughout the villages, preaching the Good News, and healing everywhere.
7
Now Herod the tetrarch heard of all that was done by him; and he was very perplexed, because it was said by some that John had risen from the dead,
8
and by some that Elijah had appeared, and by others that one of the old prophets had risen again.
9
Herod said, "John I beheaded, but who is this, about whom I hear such things?" He sought to see him.
10
The apostles, when they had returned, told him what things they had done. He took them, and withdrew apart to a deserted place of a city called Bethsaida.
11
But the multitudes, perceiving it, followed him. He welcomed them, and spoke to them of the Kingdom of God, and he cured those who needed healing.
12
The day began to wear away; and the twelve came, and said to him, "Send the multitude away, that they may go into the surrounding villages and farms, and lodge, and get food, for we are here in a deserted place."
13
But he said to them, "You give them something to eat." They said, "We have no more than five loaves and two fish, unless we should go and buy food for all these people."
14
For they were about five thousand men. He said to his disciples, "Make them sit down in groups of about fifty each."
15
They did so, and made them all sit down.
16
He took the five loaves and the two fish, and looking up to the sky, he blessed them, and broke them, and gave them to the disciples to set before the multitude.
17
They ate, and were all filled. They gathered up twelve baskets of broken pieces that were left over.
18
It happened, as he was praying alone, that the disciples were with him, and he asked them, "Who do the multitudes say that I am?"
19
They answered, "'John the Baptizer,' but others say, 'Elijah,' and others, that one of the old prophets is risen again."
20
He said to them, "But who do you say that I am?" Peter answered, "The Christ of God."
21
But he warned them, and commanded them to tell this to no one,
22
saying, "The Son of Man must suffer many things, and be rejected by the elders, chief priests, and scribes, and be killed, and the third day be raised up."
23
He said to all, "If anyone desires to come after me, let him deny himself, take up his cross, and follow me.
24
For whoever desires to save his life will lose it, but whoever will lose his life for my sake, the same will save it.
25
For what does it profit a man if he gains the whole world, and loses or forfeits his own self?
26
For whoever will be ashamed of me and of my words, of him will the Son of Man be ashamed, when he comes in his glory, and the glory of the Father, and of the holy angels.
27
But I tell you the truth: There are some of those who stand here, who will in no way taste of death, until they see the Kingdom of God."
28
It happened about eight days after these sayings, that he took with him Peter, John, and James, and went up onto the mountain to pray.
29
As he was praying, the appearance of his face was altered, and his clothing became white and dazzling.
30
Behold, two men were talking with him, who were Moses and Elijah,
31
who appeared in glory, and spoke of his departure, which he was about to accomplish at Jerusalem.
32
Now Peter and those who were with him were heavy with sleep, but when they were fully awake, they saw his glory, and the two men who stood with him.
33
It happened, as they were parting from him, that Peter said to Jesus, "Master, it is good for us to be here. Let's make three tents: one for you, and one for Moses, and one for Elijah," not knowing what he said.
34
While he said these things, a cloud came and overshadowed them, and they were afraid as they entered into the cloud.
35
A voice came out of the cloud, saying, "This is my beloved Son. Listen to him!"
36
When the voice came, Jesus was found alone. They were silent, and told no one in those days any of the things which they had seen.
37
It happened on the next day, when they had come down from the mountain, that a great multitude met him.
38
Behold, a man from the crowd called out, saying, "Teacher, I beg you to look at my son, for he is my only child.
39
Behold, a spirit takes him, he suddenly cries out, and it convulses him so that he foams, and it hardly departs from him, bruising him severely.
40
I begged your disciples to cast it out, and they couldn't."
41
Jesus answered, "Faithless and perverse generation, how long shall I be with you and bear with you? Bring your son here."
42
While he was still coming, the demon threw him down and convulsed him violently. But Jesus rebuked the unclean spirit, and healed the boy, and gave him back to his father.
43
They were all astonished at the majesty of God. But while all were marveling at all the things which Jesus did, he said to his disciples,
44
"Let these words sink into your ears, for the Son of Man will be delivered up into the hands of men."
45
But they didn't understand this saying. It was concealed from them, that they should not perceive it, and they were afraid to ask him about this saying.
46
There arose an argument among them about which of them was the greatest.
47
Jesus, perceiving the reasoning of their hearts, took a little child, and set him by his side,
48
and said to them, "Whoever receives this little child in my name receives me. Whoever receives me receives him who sent me. For whoever is least among you all, this one will be great."
49
John answered, "Master, we saw someone casting out demons in your name, and we forbade him, because he doesn't follow with us."
50
Jesus said to him, "Don't forbid him, for he who is not against us is for us."
51
It came to pass, when the days were near that he should be taken up, he intently set his face to go to Jerusalem,
52
and sent messengers before his face. They went, and entered into a village of the Samaritans, so as to prepare for him.
53
They didn't receive him, because he was traveling with his face set towards Jerusalem.
54
When his disciples, James and John, saw this, they said, "Lord, do you want us to command fire to come down from the sky, and destroy them, just as Elijah did?"
55
But he turned and rebuked them, "You don't know of what kind of spirit you are.
56
For the Son of Man didn't come to destroy men's lives, but to save them." They went to another village.
57
As they went on the way, a certain man said to him, "I want to follow you wherever you go, Lord."
58
Jesus said to him, "The foxes have holes, and the birds of the sky have nests, but the Son of Man has no place to lay his head."
59
He said to another, "Follow me!" But he said, "Lord, allow me first to go and bury my father."
60
But Jesus said to him, "Leave the dead to bury their own dead, but you go and announce the Kingdom of God."
61
Another also said, "I want to follow you, Lord, but first allow me to say good-bye to those who are at my house."
62
But Jesus said to him, "No one, having put his hand to the plow, and looking back, is fit for the Kingdom of God."
