778. As then 'birds of the air' ¹ means intellectual truths and so thoughts, they also mean things that are the contrary, such as delusions or falsities, which because they are part of man's thought are called birds as well. 'The wicked being given as food to birds of the air ¹ and to wild animals', for example, stands for delusions and evil desires, Isaiah 18:6; Jeremiah 7:33; 16:4; 19:7; 34:20; Ezekiel 29:5; 39:4. Also the Lord Himself compares delusions and persuasions of falsity to birds when He says,

The seed which fell on the pathway was trodden under foot, and the birds of the air ¹ devoured it. Matthew 13:4; Luke 8:5; Mark 4:4, 15.

Here 'birds of the air' ¹ are nothing other than falsities.

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51. In the Word righteousness is used with reference to love and judgment to wisdom, so some passages will be quoted to show that these two are the means by which God exercises control in the world.

Jehovah, righteousness and judgment are the foundation of your throne, Psalms 89:14.

Let him who boasts boast of this, that Jehovah executes judgment and righteousness upon the earth, Jeremiah 9:24.

Let Jehovah be exalted, because He has filled Zion ¹ with judgment and righteousness, Isaiah 33:5.

Let judgment flow like water, and righteousness like a mighty torrent, Amos 5:24.

Jehovah, your righteousness is like the mountains of God, your judgments a mighty abyss, Psalms 36:6.

Jehovah will make his ² righteousness shine as the light, and his ³ judgment like noonday, Psalms 37:6.

Jehovah will judge his' people in righteousness and his' suffering ones in judgment, Psalms 72:2.

When I have learnt the judgments of your righteousness, seven times a day I praise you for the judgments of your righteousness, Psalms 119:7, 164.

I will betroth myself to you ⁴ in righteousness and judgment, Hosea 2:19. Zion shall be redeemed in righteousness, and her converts in judgment, Isaiah 1:27.

He shall sit upon the throne of David, and reign over his kingdom, to establish it in judgment and righteousness, Isaiah 9:7.

I will raise up for David a righteous shoot, who shall reign as king and execute judgment and righteousness upon the earth, Jeremiah 23:5; 33:15.

Elsewhere it is said that righteousness and judgment ought to be done: as Isaiah 1:21; 5:16; 58:2; Jeremiah 4:2; 22:3, 13, 15; Ezekiel 18:5; 33:14, 16, 19; Amos 6:12; Micah 7:9; Deuteronomy 33:21; John 16:8, 10-11.

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