'It happened, when Joseph came to his brothers' means when a declaration was made concerning Him. 'That they stripped Joseph of his tunic' means that they removed and annihilated the appearances of truth. 'The tunic of various colours that was on him' means the nature of the appearances which is determined by that of the truths derived from good. 'And they took him and threw him into the pit' means among falsities. 'And the pit was empty, there was no water in it' means that at that time there was no truth at all. 'And they sat down to eat bread' means making evil that was a product of falsity their own. 'And they lifted up their eyes and saw' means further thought. 'And behold, a caravan of Ishmaelites came from Gilead' means those in whom simple good is present like that present in gentiles. 'And their camels bearing spices, and resin, and stacte' means interior natural truths. 'Taking them down to Egypt' means teaching based on factual knowledge. 'And Judah said to his brothers' means the corrupt within the Church who are opposed to all good whatever. 'What profit is there in our killing our brother and concealing his blood?' means that no advantage would be gained, nor any supremacy, if that truth was completely destroyed. 'Come, and let us sell him to the Ishmaelites' means that those in whom simple good is present acknowledge Him. 'And let not our hand be upon him' means so that they may be blameless. 'Because he is our brother, our flesh' means because that which is received from them is accepted. 'And his brothers hearkened' means acquiescence. 'And men passed by, Midianites, who were traders' means those in whom the truth partnering that good is present. 'And they drew Joseph out and caused him to come up out of the pit' means the help provided by these so that [Divine Truth] is no longer among falsities. 'And sold Joseph to the Ishmaelites' means the acceptance of it by those in whom simple good is present and the alienation of it from those adhering to faith separated from charity. 'For twenty pieces of silver' means the value set upon it. 'And they led Joseph to Egypt' means a consultation with factual knowledge 'And Reuben returned to the pit' means the Church's faith in general. 'And behold, there was no Joseph in the pit' means that no faith existed any longer. 'And he rent his clothes' means mourning. 'And he returned to his brothers' means those teaching [from faith]. 'And said, The lad is no more' means that no faith in Him exists. 'And I, where do I go?' means, Where now is the Church?

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