4337. THE INTERNAL SENSE.

In the foregoing chapters, where “Jacob” is spoken of, the subject treated of in the internal sense was the acquisition of truth in the natural, which acquisition is made in order that this truth may be conjoined with good, for all truth is for the sake of this end. “Jacob,” in the internal sense, is this truth, and “Esau” is the good with which the truth is to be conjoined. Before the conjunction is effected, truth appears to be in the first place; but after the conjunction, good is actually in the first place (see n. 3539, 3548, 3556, 3563, 3570, 3576, 3603, 3701, 3995). This is also what is signified by the prophecy of Isaac to Esau: “Upon thy sword shalt thou live, and thou shalt serve thy brother; and it shall come to pass when thou shalt have the dominion, that thou shall break his yoke from off thy neck” (Genesis 27:40). And this state is what is described in the present chapter. For this reason Jacob calls Esau his “lord,” and himself his “servant” (verses 5, 8, 13, 14).

[2] Be it known that Jacob here represents the good of truth. But regarded in itself the good of truth is only truth; for so long as truth is in the memory only, it is called truth; but when in the will and thence in act, it is called the good of truth; for to do truth is nothing else. Whatever proceeds from the will is called good, for the essential of the will is love and the derivative affection; and everything that is done from love and its affection is named good. Neither can truth be conjoined with the good that flows in through the internal man and is in its origin Divine (which is here represented by Esau), until the truth is truth in will and act; that is, the good of truth. For the good that flows in through the internal man and is in its origin Divine, flows into the will, and there meets the good of truth that has been instilled through the external man.

3571. Verses 26-29. And Isaac his father said unto him, Come near I pray, and kiss me, my son. And he came near, and kissed him; and he smelled the smell of his garments, and blessed him, and said, See, the smell of my son is as the smell of a field which Jehovah hath blessed. And God shall give thee of the dew of heaven, and of the fat things of the earth, and a multitude of corn and new wine. Peoples shall serve thee, and peoples shall bow down themselves to thee. Be thou a master to thy brethren, and let thy mother’s sons bow down themselves to thee; cursed are they that curse thee, and blessed are they that bless thee. “And Isaac his father said unto him, Come near I pray,” signifies a degree of perception still more interior; “and kiss me, my son” signifies whether it can be united; “and he came near, and kissed him,” signifies presence and unition; “and he smelled the smell of his garments,” signifies that which was grateful from the truth of good which he perceived; “and blessed him,” signifies conjunction thus; “and said, See, the smell of my son,” signifies that which was grateful from the truth of good; “is as the smell of a field,” signifies as from good ground out of which is truth; “which Jehovah hath blessed,” signifies that it is multiplied and made fruitful from the Divine; “and God shall give thee of the dew of heaven,” signifies from Divine truth; “and of the fat things of the earth,” signifies from Divine good; “and a multitude of corn,” signifies the derivative natural good; “and new wine,” signifies the derivative natural truth; “peoples shall serve thee,” signifies the truths of the church, or spiritual churches; “and peoples shall bow down themselves to thee,” signifies the truths of good; “Be thou a master to thy brethren,” signifies the dominion at first appearing to be that of the affection of natural truth over the affections of natural good; “and let thy mother’s sons bow down themselves to thee,” signifies over all other affections of truth; “cursed are they that curse thee,” signifies that he who disjoins himself shall be disjoined; “and blessed are they that bless thee,” signifies that he who conjoins himself shall be conjoined.