353. Verse 6. Of the tribe of Asher were sealed twelve thousand, signifies mutual love, which is the love of doing good uses to the community or society, with those who will be of the Lord's New Heaven and New Church. By "Asher," in the highest sense, is signified eternity; in the spiritual sense, eternal happiness; and, in the natural sense, the affection of good and truth; but here 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 descends proximately from love to the Lord, because the love of the Lord is to do uses to the community, and to each society in the community, and He does these by means of men who are in love to Him. That Asher has the above signification, may in some measure be seen from the blessing of his father Israel:
Of Asher; his bread shall be fat, and he shall give the dainties of a king (Gen. 49:20). And from his blessing by Moses:
Blessed above sons is Asher; let him be acceptable to his brethren, and as his day his fame shall be (Deut. 33:24-25). He was named also from blessing; and they who are in the love of doing uses to the community and to society, enjoy happiness above all others in heaven.
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