3320. 'Let me sip now from the red [pottage]' means a desire for matters of doctrine, and 'this red [pottage]' means that which is seemingly good. This is clear from the meaning of 'sipping' as being communicated and joined to, dealt with in 3089 - and therefore 'let me sip now' is desiring the joining of truth or matters of doctrine to itself; and from the meaning of 'red' as good, dealt with in 3300, here that which is seemingly good, since these matters of doctrine, however they are grouped together, seem in outward appearance to be good, even though inwardly they are simply a massing together of them, 3316. A further reason why these details are given in the narrative here is that they show how Esau acquired the name Edom; for in the original language that which is red is called Edom, and this is in order that Edom may mean good to which matters of doctrine regarding truth are allied.

3089. 'Let me sip now a little water from your pitcher' means to see whether it was possible for any truth from that source to be joined to it. This is clear from the meaning of 'sipping' as an activity similar to that meant by 'drinking', but taking in only a small amount because it was to be an investigation - for 'drinking' means perceiving, see 3069, and also in the internal sense being communicated and joined together, and has reference to what is spiritual just as 'eating' has reference to what is celestial, 2187, 2343; and from the meaning of 'water' as truth, dealt with in 680, 739, 2702. Here therefore 'let me sip now a little water from your pitcher' means an investigation to see whether it was possible for any truth from that source to be joined. 'A pitcher' is a recipient which has truth in it and from which truth is obtained, 3068, 3079. The reason for this investigation was that the initial affection for truth also carried with it something from the mother that was to be separated, 3040, 3078. With anyone who is to be regenerated his initial affection for truth is largely impure, for it holds within it the desire to satisfy a purpose and an end that have himself in view, the world, glory in heaven, and similar things which regard himself and not the common good, the Lord's kingdom, still less the Lord Himself. Such affection inevitably comes first. Nevertheless the Lord purifies it gradually so that at length falsities and evils are removed and banished so to speak to the circumference. But they have nevertheless served as means.