1964. 'When Hagar bore Ishmael for Abram' means when the life belonging to the affection for knowledge gave birth to the rational. This is clear from the meaning of 'Hagar' as the life belonging to the affection for knowledge, and from the meaning of 'Ishmael' as the rational conceived first, dealt with above. Because this chapter has been dealing with man's rational and has described the nature of it when composed solely of truths, and the nature of it when composed of goods and of truths derived from goods, it should be recognized that the rational cannot possibly be conceived and born, that is, formed, without facts and cognitions. But facts and cognitions must have use as their end in view, and when they do, they have life as their end in view, for all life looks to uses because it looks to ends. Unless they are learned for the sake of a life that looks to uses, they are of no value because they have no possible use.
[2] When composed solely of these, that is to say, of facts and cognitions devoid of a life that looks to use, the rational resembles the description given here - it is like a wild ass, ill-tempered, aggressive, whose life is parched and arid from a certain desire for truth that is defiled by self-love. But when facts and cognitions have use as the end in view they acquire life from the uses, though the exact nature of that life is the same as that of the use. With people who learn cognitions so as to become more perfect in faith grounded in love - for true and real faith consists in love to the Lord and charity towards the neighbour- the supreme use of all is present and they are acquiring spiritual and celestial life from the Lord. And when that life exists with them they possess the ability to perceive everything that belongs to the Lord's kingdom. This life exists with all angels, and because that life exists with them, so do intelligence and wisdom themselves.
This page is part of 
© 2000-2001 The Academy of the New Church