3586. 'And so it was, as soon as Isaac had finished blessing Jacob' means when the first joining together had accordingly been effected. This is clear from the meaning of 'blessing' as joining together, dealt with above in 3504, 3514, 3530, 3565, 3584, so that 'as soon as he had finished blessing' means when the joining together had been effected. This first connection was with the truth represented by Jacob, as is evident from what has been stated above.

3565. 'And he blessed him' means resulting conjunction. This is clear from the meaning of 'being blessed' as conjunction, dealt with in 3504, 3514, 3530. In this state however the conjunction was none other than that described in 3563. Inmost, but not intermediate, conjunction existed with truth represented by Jacob, so that it was a conjunction through the end in view, which is inmost good and which could be actualized in this way and no other way. When such an end exists a conjunction of inmost things with outermost ones is effected first. Intermediate conjunction comes gradually. This the end brings about, for all progress lies with the end. Indeed the Lord acts through ends, and by means of them gradually re-arranges intermediate things into proper order. This is the origin of the conjunction meant by the reference to Isaac blessing Jacob.