6028. 'To show [the way] before him to Goshen' means regarding the middle of the natural, that is to say, a communication regarding it. This is clear from the meaning of 'Goshen' as the middle, that is, the inmost part of the natural, dealt with in 5910. By the middle or inmost part of the natural is meant the best part there; for the best good exists in the middle, that is, in the centre or inmost part. Then surrounding it in every direction lie other grades of good, which follow a heavenly pattern and are positioned near to or further away from the best part in the middle in keeping with their degree of goodness. This is how different degrees of good are arranged into order with a regenerate person. But with the evil the grossest evils exist in the middle and all good is banished to the outermost parts, where it is constantly being pushed right outside. This pattern exists with evil persons in particular and in the hells in general, and is accordingly the hellish pattern. From what has now been said about the existence of the best part in the middle and other grades of good in order outside it one may see what is meant by a communication of the good of the Church with the internal celestial regarding the middle of the natural.

5910. 'And you shall dwell in the land of Goshen' means the middle of the natural. This is clear from the meaning of 'dwelling' as living, dealt with in 1293, 3384, 3613, 4451; and from the meaning of 'the land of Goshen' as the middle or inmost part. Because that land was situated in Egypt and 'Egypt' means the factual knowledge present in the natural, 'Goshen' means the middle or inmost part of the natural. Goshen was the best region in the land of Egypt; and what is the best - the best in the natural where factual knowledge exists - is situated in the middle or centre. For the actual good there acts like a kind of sun, shedding light from itself on the truths to the sides of it.