2434. He said unto him, Behold, I have accepted thy face as to this word also. That this signifies assent, provided that the interiors in the truth derive anything from good, is evident from the signification of “face.” The term “face” is of frequent occurrence in the Word, and there signifies the interiors, as before shown (n. 358, 1999); and also that when the face is attributed to Jehovah or the Lord, it signifies Mercy, Peace, Good (n. 222, 223); so that here it signifies the good which is interiorly in truth; and therefore to “accept the face” denotes to assent, provided that the interiors in the truth derive anything from good. “As to this word,” denotes as to this matter. That there is no truth unless there is good within it, may be seen above (n. 1496, 1832, 1900, 1904, 1928, 2063, 2173, 2269, 2401, 2403, 2429); and that the blessedness and happiness which a man has after death is not from truth, but from the good that is in the truth (n. 2261); and hence the more good there is in his truth, the more blessed and happy he is. That good is within truth, and causes it to be truth, is evident also from the goods and truths that exist even in worldly things. When a man learns and acknowledges that anything in these is good, then whatever favors this good he calls truth; but whatever does not favor it, he rejects and calls falsity. He may indeed say that that is true ¹ which does not favor the good in question; but he is then making a pretense, while thinking differently. And the case is the same in spiritual things.

Voetnoten:

2403. And he was in the eyes of his sons-in-law as one that jested. That this signifies derision, is evident from the signification of “jesting,” as being to utter as it were a joke, a fable, or trifles, thus such things as they would laugh at. “In their eyes,” signifies that which was before their rational, as is evident from the signification of the “eyes” (n. 212). This shows what is the character of those who are in the truth of faith and not at the same time in the good of life.