1565. That 'flocks and herds' are the possessions of the external man becomes clear from the meaning of 'flocks and herds' as goods, dealt with in 343 and 415. Here however since it is said they belonged to Lot, who was being separated from Abram, they mean those things that were to be separated, thus things that were not good are meant. That 'flocks and herds' also means things that are not good becomes clear from the following places in the Word: In Zephaniah,
I will cause destruction in you, that you will be without inhabitant; and the region of the sea will be dwellings dug out [for shepherds] and folds for the flock. Zeph 2:5, 6.
In Jeremiah,
I will disperse in you the shepherd and the flock, and I will disperse in you the farmer and his team. Jer 51:23.
In the same prophet,
Go up to Arabia, and lay waste the sons of the east. Their tents and their flocks shall they take. Jer 49:28, 29.
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