5541. 'And Reuben said to his father' means matters of faith in the understanding were discerned by the good of truth. This is clear from the meaning of 'saying' in the historical narratives of the Word as discerning, often dealt with already; from the representation of 'Reuben' as faith in doctrine and in the understanding, dealt with in 3861, 3866, 5472, and therefore matters belonging to that faith; and from the representation of Jacob, 'his father' whom Reuben addresses here, as the good of truth, dealt with in 3659, 3669, 3677, 3775, 4234, 4273, 4538, 5533. From all this it is evident that 'Reuben said to his father' means matters of faith present in the understanding were discerned by the good of truth. The reason Reuben is the speaker here is that the subject is the Church in which faith present in doctrine and in the understanding seemingly takes the lead and teaches. Here it teaches what must be done if the destruction of what constitutes the Church is to be averted.

4273. 'Jacob remained alone' means the good of truth, which had now been arrived at and was at this point the ultimate form of good. This is clear from the representation of 'Jacob' at this point as the good of truth. What 'Jacob' had represented has been shown in previous paragraphs, as also has the fact that he represented varying relationships of good and truth within the natural. For these exist together in one condition at the beginning of a process, in another during it, and in yet another at the end of it, 3775, 4234. At present he represents the good of truth. The reason for this representation is that the subject dealt with next is his wrestling, which in the internal sense means temptation, and that he was named Israel, after which he represents the celestial-spiritual man. And a further reason is that after that wrestling his reunion with Esau is described, by which the introduction of truth into good is meant. These are the reasons why 'Jacob' now represents the ultimate form of the good of truth within the natural.