THE DOCTRINE OF LIFE (pt. 61)

THE DOCTRINE OF LIFE
for the
NEW JERUSALEM
FROM THE TEN COMMANDMENTS
Emanuel Swedenborg
— Doctrinal Series —
(pt. 61)
THE DECALOGUE TEACHES WHAT EVILS ARE SINS.

The commandments of this Law were called the "Ten Words," (see Exod. 34:28; Deut. 4:13; 10:4.)

They are so called because "ten" signifies all, and "words" signifies truths, for there were more than ten words. As "ten" signifies all,

The curtains of the tabernacle were ten (Exod. 26:1);

And for the same reason the Lord said

That a certain man who was to receive a kingdom, called ten of his servants, and gave them ten pounds to trade with (Luke 19:13).

And for the same reason also the Lord

Likened the kingdom of the heavens to ten virgins (Matt. 25:1).

For the same reason also,

The dragon is described as having ten horns, and upon his horns ten diadems (Rev. 12:3).

In like manner the beast that came up out of the sea (Rev. 13:1).

And another beast also (Rev. 17:3, 7).

Likewise the beast in Daniel (7:7, 20, 24).

The like is signified by ten in Leviticus 26:26, and in Zechariah 8:23, and in other places.
This is the origin of tithes, for "tithes" (or "tenths") signify something from all.

(LIFE 61)

THE DOCTRINE OF LIFE (pt. 60)

THE DOCTRINE OF LIFE
for the
NEW JERUSALEM
FROM THE TEN COMMANDMENTS
Emanuel Swedenborg
— Doctrinal Series —
(pt. 60)
THE DECALOGUE TEACHES WHAT EVILS ARE SINS.

The tables of stone on which the Law was written were called "the tables of the covenant," and that from them the ark was called "the ark of the covenant," and the Law itself "the covenant," (see Num. 10:33; Deut. 4:13, 23; 5:2, 3; 9:9; Josh. 3:11; 1 Kings 8:19, 21; Rev. 11:19; and in many other places.

The reason why the Law was called the "covenant," is that "covenant" signifies conjunction; and it is therefore said of the Lord that:

He shall be for a covenant to the people (Isa. 42:6; 49:8);

and He is called:

The messenger of the covenant (Mal. 3:1);

and His blood:

The blood of the covenant (Matt. 26:28; Zech. 9:11; Exod. 24:4-10).

And therefore the Word is called the "Old Covenant," and the "New Covenant."

Moreover covenants are made for the sake of love, friendship, association, and thus for the sake of conjunction.

(LIFE 60)

THE DOCTRINE OF LIFE (pt. 59)

THE DOCTRINE OF LIFE
for the
NEW JERUSALEM
FROM THE TEN COMMANDMENTS
Emanuel Swedenborg
— Doctrinal Series —
(pt. 58)
THE DECALOGUE TEACHES WHAT EVILS ARE SINS.

What has been said [previously] (pt. 54-56) respecting the promulgation, holiness, and power of that Law, will be found in the following places in the Word:

• That Jehovah came down on Mount Sinai in fire, and that the mountain smoked and quaked, and that there were thunderings, lightnings, and a thick cloud, and the voice of a trumpet (Exod. 19:16, 18; Deut. 4:11; 5:22-26).
• That before the descent of Jehovah the people prepared and sanctified themselves for three days (Exod. 19:10, 11, 15).
• That bounds were set round the mountain, lest anyone should come near its base, and should die and that not even were the priests to come near, but Moses only (Exod. 19:12, 13, 20-23; 24:1, 2).
• That the Law was promulgated from Mount Sinai (Exod. 20:2-17; Deut. 5:6-21).
• That that Law was written by the finger of God on two tables of stone (Exod. 31:18; 32:15, 16; Deut. 9:10).
• That when Moses brought those tables down from the mountain the second time, his face shone (Exod. 34:29-35).
• That the tables were kept in the ark (Exod. 25:16; 40:20; Deut. 10:5; 1 Kings 8:9).
• That upon the ark was placed the mercy-seat, and upon this the golden cherubs (Exod. 25:17-21).
• That the ark, together with the mercy-seat and the cherubs, constituted the inmost of the tabernacle, and that the golden lampstand, the golden altar of incense, and the table overlaid with gold on which were the loaves of faces, constituted the exterior of the tabernacle and the ten curtains of fine linen, bright-crimson, and scarlet, its outermost (Exod. 25:1-end; 26:1-end; 40:17-28).
• That the place where the ark was, was called the holy of holies (Exod. 26:33).
• That the whole people of Israel encamped around the habitation in order according to their tribes, and marched in order after it (Num. 2:1-end).
• That there was then over the habitation a cloud by day and a fire by night (Exod. 40:38; Num. 9:15-end; 14:14; Deut. 1:33).
• That the Lord spoke with Moses from over the ark between the cherubs (Exod. 25:22; Num. 7:89).
• That the ark, from the Law within it, was called Jehovah-There, for when the ark set forward, Moses said, Rise up, Jehovah; and when it rested be said, Return Jehovah (Num. 10:35, 36), and see further 2 Sam. 6:2; Ps. 132:7, 8.
• That on account of the holiness of that Law Aaron was not allowed to enter within the veil except with sacrifices and with incense (Lev. 16:2-14, etc.).
• That the ark was brought into Zion by David with sacrifices and with shouting (2 Sam. 6:1-19). That on that occasion, Uzzah, who touched it, died (verses 6 and 7).
• That the ark was placed in the midst of the temple in Jerusalem, where it constituted the shrine (1 Kings 6:19, etc. 8:3-9).
• That by the Lord's presence and power in the Law that was in the ark, the waters of Jordan were cleft asunder, and so long as the ark rested in the midst of it, the people passed over on dry ground (Josh. 3:1-17; 4:5-20).
• That when the ark was carried around them, the walls of Jericho fell (Josh. 6:1-20).
• That Dagon the god of the Philistines fell to the earth before the ark, and afterwards lay upon the threshold of the temple headless (1 Sam. 5:1-4).
• That on account of the ark the Bethshemites were smitten, to the number of many thousands (1 Sam. 6:19).

(LIFE 58)