4242. 'And he commanded them, saying, Thus shall you say to my lord Esau' means the first acknowledgement that good occupied the higher position. This becomes clear from the meaning here of 'commanding the messengers to say' as reflection and consequent perception that this is so, dealt with in 3661, 3682, and therefore as acknowledgement; and from the representation of 'Esau' as good, dealt with above in 4234, 4239. The acknowledgement that it occupied the higher position is meant by his calling Esau not his brother but his 'lord' and also by calling himself in the next breath his 'servant', and likewise further on. For while a person is being regenerated truth seemingly occupies first position and good second, but once he has been regenerated good occupies first and truth second, see 1904, 2063, 2189, 2697, 2979, 3286, 3288, 3310 (end), 3325, 3330, 3332, 3336, 3470, 3509, 3539, 3548, 3556, 3563, 3570, 3576, 3579, 3603, 3701. This is also what is meant by the prophetic utterances made by father to son - when Isaac declared to Esau,

By your sword you will live, and you will serve your brother; and it will be, when you have dominion over him, that you will break his yoke from above your neck. Genesis 27:40.

It is the turning round within this state, foretold in these prophetic utterances, that is dealt with here.

2697. 'Lift the boy up' means the spiritual as regards truth. This is clear from the meaning of 'the boy' as the spiritual, in particular as regards truth, dealt with in 2677, 2687. For the member of the spiritual Church is regenerated seemingly by means of the truths of faith; but he is not aware that in fact he is regenerated by means of the good allied to truth. For that good is not observable, but presents itself solely in the affection for truth, and after that in a life according to truth. In no way can anyone be regenerated by means of truth unless good accompanies that truth, for truth devoid of good has no life. Consequently no new life at all can come through truth separated from good; but a person acquires it through regeneration.