AC 2161 - The Divine Was to Let Itself Down

AC 2161

From the actual words used in this verse
no one could possibly know that
'let now a little water be taken,
and wash your feet,
and recline under the tree'
(Genesis18:4)
meant that the Divine was to let itself down
nearer to that state of perception
which was the Lord's at that time
and was to put on something natural
so that His perception might be improved.
Indeed not the smallest trace of this arcanum (secret)
is evident in these words if understood historically.
That such is nevertheless their meaning
in the internal sense,
and that angels perceive them in that way . . ..

This shows what great and deep arcana (secrets)
lie concealed in the Word.
The same is further evident
from the meaning of the words in the internal sense,
that is to say,
from the meaning of 'water' as intellectual concepts,
from the meaning of 'feet' as natural things,
and from the meaning of 'tree' as perception.
Once these things are understood,
then what is meant in the internal sense -
namely that which has been stated -
becomes clear from the train of thought
and from its connection
with what comes before and after.