353. [verse 6] 'Out of the tribe of Asher twelve thousand sealed' signifies mutual love, which is the love of doing the good of use to the community or society, with those who will belong to the New Heaven and the Lord's New Church. By 'Asher' in the highest sense is signified Eternity; in the spiritual sense eternal blessedness; and in the natural sense the affection of good and truth. Here, however, by 'Asher' is signified the love of doing uses, which is with those who are in the Lord's celestial kingdom and is there called mutual love. This love comes down next in order out of love directed to the Lord, inasmuch as the Lord's love is to do uses to the community and to every society in the community, and He does those uses by means of men who are in love directed to Himself. That the things stated above are signified by 'Asher' can in some measure be seen from his blessing by the father Israel:-
Concerning Asher; his bread is fat, and he will give the delights of a King Gen. xlix 20;
and from his blessing by Moses:-
Let Asher be blessed in comparison with the sons, let him be accepted by his brothers, as his day so is his fame Deut. xxxiii 24, 25.
He was indeed named from BLESSEDNESS, and those who are in the love of doing uses to the community and society, in heaven are in a blessedness above the rest.
This page is part of 
© 2000-2001 The Academy of the New Church