8557. And all the assemblage of the sons of Israel journeyed. That this signifies what is progressive of spiritual life, is evident from the signification of "journeying," as being what is successive and continuous of life (see n. 4375, 4554, 4585, 5996, 8181, 8345, 8397), here what is successive or progressive of spiritual life, that is, its growth, which takes place continuously by means of temptations. That spiritual life grows by means of temptations is because by means of them the truths which are of faith are confirmed, and are conjoined with the good which is of charity. (That "the assemblage of the sons of Israel" denotes those who are of the spiritual church, see n. 7830, 7843.)
