Description

At first glance, Exodus chapters 22–24 appear to present a series of laws and regulations governing justice, property, and social responsibility. In Secrets of Heaven Volume 13, Emanuel Swedenborg looks deeply into the biblical symbolism of these writings to reveal that the passages describe something far more personal and universal: the development of conscience, perception, and moral awareness. (The multi-volume work Secrets of Heaven was originally published by Swedenborg in Neo-Latin under the title Arcana Coelestia.)

Swedenborg’s Exodus commentary explores how the inner meaning of Scripture reflects the structure of the human mind. He shows that spiritual growth is not merely about following external rules, but about cultivating an inner life shaped by divine goodness and divine truth. These two principles—goodness and truth—form the foundation of spiritual perception. From them, we gain the ability to recognize both goodness and distortion within ourselves.

“…evil can be seen from the viewpoint of goodness, and falsity from the viewpoint of truth, but not the reverse. This is because goodness and truth stand in heaven and in its light, but evil and falsity stand in hell and in its darkness.” §9128.2

A central theme of this work is the idea that self-awareness is not neutral. Swedenborg explains that we can only clearly see our own limitations and blind spots when we are grounded in a life of faith and charity. In his terms, this means living in truth and goodness. From this perspective, conscience becomes more than a moral guideline; it becomes a form of inner sight.

This insight places Secrets of Heaven Volume 13 in conversation with what we might now call spiritual psychology, and it is a repeated theme elsewhere in Secrets of Heaven. For example, in Secrets of Heaven Volume 1, when commenting on Genesis, Swedenborg says:

“When the earliest people described Jehovah as speaking, they meant perception, because they realized that the Lord made it possible for them to perceive. This capacity for perception lasted only as long as love had primary importance. When love for the Lord came to an end, and love for others consequently did the same, perception died out. To the extent that love remained, perception remained.” Secrets of Heaven Volume 1 §371

Additionally, Secrets of Heaven Volume 13 provides insights on concepts such as “flesh” and “blood,” which are reinterpreted not as physical elements, but as representations of divine goodness and divine truth—forces that nourish the inner spiritual life. Through these interpretations, Swedenborg connects familiar scriptural language to lived experience. In the inter-chapter material (§§9350 – 9362) Swedenborg also addresses the question of why the Lord, Swedenborg’s customary term for Jesus Christ, was born on Earth rather than on another planet. In Chapter 24, he continues exploration of life beyond Earth.

For readers seeking the deeper meaning of the Hebrew scriptures (“Old Testament”), this volume provides a thoughtful and structured approach to spiritual interpretation. It invites reflection on moral decision making, the development of conscience, and the ongoing process of spiritual growth and transformation.