Doctrine of the Lord #48
48. Because a person’s life varies in accordance with his state, therefore by spirit is meant the varying life’s affection in a person. For example:
1. The life of wisdom:
(Bezalel was filled) with the spirit of wisdom, understanding, and knowledge.... (Exodus 31:3).
You shall speak to all the wise of heart, whom I have filled with the spirit of wisdom.... (Exodus 28:3)
Joshua was filled with the spirit of wisdom (Deuteronomy 34:9).
Nebuchadnezzar said of Daniel that an excellent spirit, of knowledge, understanding and wisdom was found in him (Daniel 5:12, 14).
The erring in spirit will know understanding.... (Isaiah 29:24)
[2] 2. The arousal of life:
Jehovah has stirred up the spirit of the kings of the Medes. (Jeremiah 51:11)
Jehovah stirred up the spirit of Zerubbabel...and the spirit of all the remnant of the people. (Haggai 1:14)
...I am putting (into the king of Assyria) a spirit..., that he may hear a rumor and return to his own land. (Isaiah 37:7)
...Jehovah...hardened (the) spirit (of the king of Sihon).... (Deuteronomy 2:30)
What has come up upon your spirit shall never be.... (Ezekiel 20:32)
[3] 3. Liberty of life: The four creatures, which were cherubim, seen by the prophet went “wherever they had a spirit to go” (Ezekiel 1:12, 20).
[4] 4. Life in a state of fear, distress, and anger:
...that every heart may melt, and all hands be feeble, and every spirit shrink.... (Ezekiel 21:7)
...my spirit was faint within me, my heart within me is stunned.... (Psalms 143:4, cf. 142:3)
My spirit has been consumed! (Psalms 143:7)
As for me, Daniel, my spirit grieved.... (Daniel 7:15)
(Pharaoh’s) spirit was troubled. (Genesis 41:8)
(Nebuchadnezzar said,) “...my spirit is troubled....” (Daniel 2:3)
I went bitterly in the wrath of my spirit. (Ezekiel 3:14)
[5] 5. Life in a state of various evil affections:
“...provided there is no deceit in his spirit.” (Psalms 32:2)
Jehovah has mingled a spirit of perversity in her midst. (Isaiah 19:14)
...said (He)...to the foolish prophets, who follow their own spirit.... (Ezekiel 13:3)
The prophet is a fool, the man of the spirit is insane. (Hosea 9:7)
Be observant by your spirit, and do not deal treacherously. (Malachi 2:16)
...the spirit of harlotry has caused them to stray.... (Hosea 4:12)
...a spirit of harlotry is in their midst.... (Hosea 5:4)
When a spirit of jealousy comes upon him.... (Numbers 5:14)
...a man who is a wanderer in spirit, and he prattles falsehood.... (Micah 2:11)
...a generation...whose spirit was not steadfast with God. (Psalms 78:8)
...poured out on (them) a spirit of drowsiness.... (Isaiah 29:10)
Conceive chaff, bring forth stubble; as for your spirit, fire shall shall devour you. (Isaiah 33:11)
[6] 6. Hellish life:
I will...cause...the unclean spirit to depart from the land. (Zechariah 13:2)
When an unclean spirit goes out of a man, he goes through dry places.... And then he...attaches to himself seven worse spirits than himself, and they enter and dwell there. (Matthew 12:43-45)
...Babylon...has become a dwelling place of...a foul spirit.... (Revelation 18:2)
[7] 7. In addition, the spirits of hell themselves who torment mankind: Matthew 8:16, 10:1, 12:43-45; Mark 1:23-27, 9:17-29; Luke 4:33, 36, 6:17-18, 7:21, 8:2, 29, 9:39, 42, 55, 11:24-26, 13:11; Revelation 13:15, 16:13-14.
Published by the General Church of the New Jerusalem, 1100 Cathedral Road, Bryn Athyn, Pennsylvania 19009, U.S.A. A translation of Doctrina Novae Hierosolymae de Domino, by Emanuel Swedenborg, 1688-1772. Translated from the Original Latin by N. Bruce Rogers. ISBN 9780945003687, Library of Congress Control Number: 2013954074.
Hosea 4
1
Hear the word of Yahweh, you children of Israel; for Yahweh has a charge against the inhabitants of the land: "Indeed there is no truth, nor goodness, nor knowledge of God in the land.
2
There is cursing, lying, murder, stealing, and committing adultery; they break boundaries, and bloodshed causes bloodshed.
3
Therefore the land will mourn, and everyone who dwells therein will waste away. all living things in her, even the animals of the field and the birds of the sky; yes, the fish of the sea also die.
4
"Yet let no man bring a charge, neither let any man accuse; For your people are like those who bring charges against a priest.
5
You will stumble in the day, and the prophet will also stumble with you in the night; and I will destroy your mother.
6
My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge. Because you have rejected knowledge, I will also reject you, that you may be no priest to me. Because you have forgotten your God's law, I will also forget your children.
7
As they were multiplied, so they sinned against me. I will change their glory into shame.
8
They feed on the sin of my people, and set their heart on their iniquity.
9
It will be, like people, like priest; and I will punish them for their ways, and will repay them for their deeds.
10
They will eat, and not have enough. They will play the prostitute, and will not increase; because they have abandoned giving to Yahweh.
11
Prostitution, wine, and new wine take away understanding.
12
My people consult with their wooden idol, and answer to a stick of wood. Indeed the spirit of prostitution has led them astray, and they have been unfaithful to their God.
13
They sacrifice on the tops of the mountains, and burn incense on the hills, under oaks and poplars and terebinths, because its shade is good. Therefore your daughters play the prostitute, and your brides commit adultery.
14
I will not punish your daughters when they play the prostitute, nor your brides when they commit adultery; because the men consort with prostitutes, and they sacrifice with the shrine prostitutes; so the people without understanding will come to ruin.
15
"Though you, Israel, play the prostitute, yet don't let Judah offend; and don't come to Gilgal, neither go up to Beth Aven, nor swear, 'As Yahweh lives.'
16
For Israel has behaved extremely stubbornly, like a stubborn heifer. Then how will Yahweh feed them like a lamb in a meadow.
17
Ephraim is joined to idols. Leave him alone!
18
Their drink has become sour. They play the prostitute continually. Her rulers dearly love their shameful way.
19
The wind has wrapped her up in its wings; and they shall be disappointed because of their sacrifices.
