4520. 'I and my house' means as regards truth and good. This is clear from the representation of Jacob, to whom 'I' refers here, as the Church, in particular the Church as regards truth (as may be deduced from what has been shown concerning Jacob's representation in 3305, 3509, 3525, 3546, 3576, 3599, 3775, 4234, 4337; that is to say, he represents the Lord as regards Divine Natural Truth. For in representations when a person in the highest sense represents the Lord as regards the Divine Truth of His Natural, he also represents the Lord's kingdom as regards Divine Truth there, and consequently the Church as regards truth, because these correspond to each other; for all truth within His kingdom and Church is the Lord's); and from the meaning of 'a house' as the Church as regards good, dealt with in 2233, 2234, 3720.

4337. THE INTERNAL SENSE

Where Jacob is referred to in previous chapters, the subject in the internal sense has been the acquisition of truth within the Natural, an acquisition which is made there so that such truth may be joined to good; for all truth exists for the sake of that end. In the internal sense 'Jacob' is that truth, and 'Esau' is the good to which it is joined. Before the two are joined together truth seems to occupy first place, but after they have been joined good in fact does so, see 3539, 3548, 3556, 3563, 3570, 3576, 3603, 3701, 3995.

This is also what is meant by Isaac's prophecy addressed 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 your neck. Genesis 27:40.

That state foretold there is the actual subject now. And this is why in verses 5, 8, 13-14 of the present chapter Jacob calls Esau his lord and himself Esau's servant

[2] It should be recognized that 'Jacob' at this point represents the good of truth. But regarded in itself such good is simply truth, for as long as truth exists solely in the memory it is referred to as truth. But once it exists in the will and as a consequence in action it is called the good of truth, for the performance of truth is nothing else. Whatever proceeds from the will is called good since in essence the will consists in love and in affection flowing from love, and everything that is done from love and attendant affection is termed good. Nor is truth able to be joined to good which flows in by way of the internal man and is Divine in origin - which good is represented here by 'Esau' - until truth exists as truth in will and action, that is, as the good of truth. For good which flows in by way of the internal man and is Divine in origin flows into the will, and there meets the good of truth which has been introduced by way of the external man.