(Old Facebook Post–Revised)

Compare Luke 15:20 with Genesis 33:4. The father in the Prodigal Son parable “ran… embraced… kissed” his younger son; in Genesis the older son Esau “ran… embraced… kissed” the younger son Jacob.

Perhaps Jesus is saying prodigals and sinners (see Luke 15:1) are the typological fulfillment of Jacob–and are therefore the true Israel! The Pharisees and scribes (Luke 15:2), on the other hand, aren’t even as good as foolish, non-elect Esau (or the scoundrel Laban; see Genesis 29:13), who had the decency to welcome his younger brother.

Note: These are the only Bible verses where all these key words occur.