THE

BOOK OF GENESIS

CHAPTER THIRTY-NINE

4954. In the introductory remarks to the previous chapter, the Lord’s words in Matthew 25, verses 31 to 33—concerning the Judgment of both the good and the evil—were explained (see sections 4807–4810). We now move to the explanation of the words that follow in that sequence:

Then shall the king say to those on His right hand: "Come, you who are blessed by My Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world; for I was hungry, and you gave Me food; I was thirsty, and you gave Me drink; I was a stranger, and you welcomed Me; naked, and you clothed Me; I was sick, and you visited Me; I was in prison, and you came to Me" (verses 34 to 36).

4955. The deeper spiritual meaning original: "internal sense," referring to the hidden theological reality within the literal words of the Bible of these words will be revealed in the sections that follow. First, it must be understood that the actions listed here are the very works of love charity; the active practice of kindness and spiritual aid toward others in their specific order. No one can recognize this unless they are familiar with the internal sense of the Word The "Word" refers to the Holy Scriptures—that is, unless they know the spiritual significance of feeding the hungry, giving drink to the thirsty, welcoming the stranger, clothing the naked, visiting the sick, and visiting those in prison.

Anyone who considers these acts only from the literal meaning of the text would conclude they simply refer to outward good deeds and that there is no hidden meaning within them. Yet, there is a Divine secret original: "arcanum" in every one of them, because they originate from the Lord. However, these secrets are not understood today because the systematic teachings of love doctrinals of charity; the body of religious instruction focused on how to live a life of love and service no longer exist. Ever since people began to separate love from faith, these teachings have been lost. In their place, people have created and accepted teachings focused purely on faith, which do not teach