6567. 'And his brothers also went and fell down before him' means the submission of the things in the natural [to the internal]. This is clear from the representation of the sons of Israel, to whom 'brothers' refers here, as spiritual truths in the natural, dealt with in 5414, 5879, 5951; from the meaning of 'fell down before him' as submission; and from the representation of Joseph as the internal, dealt with in 6499. From this it is evident that 'his brothers went and fell down before him' means the submission of the things in the natural to the internal. The subject in this chapter is the establishing of a spiritual Church, and at this point the submission of the things that are in the natural to the internal. In considering this submission it should be recognized that a spiritual Church cannot possibly be established with anyone unless the things that belong to the natural or external man have been made submissive to the spiritual or internal man. As long as solely the truth of faith holds sway with a person, and not the good of charity, the natural or external man has not been made submissive to the spiritual or internal man; but as soon as good reigns, the natural or external man submits, and then that person becomes a spiritual Church.
[2] One recognizes the truth of this from the fact that such a person does from affection what truth teaches, and does not act contrary to that affection, no matter how much the natural desires it. That affection and the power of reason arising from it is what reigns in him, bringing under its control in the natural the delights of self-love and love of the world as well as the false notions that have permeated the factual knowledge there. At length that control is so complete that it becomes a matter of pleasure to the person. The natural now grows quiet, and after that comes into agreement with the internal; and when it is in agreement it shares the internal's feeling of pleasure. From all this one may see how to understand the submission of the things in the natural to the internal, meant by 'his brothers went and fell down before him, and said, Behold, we are your slaves'.
This page is part of 
© 2000-2001 The Academy of the New Church