Would not the older son be the Pharisees? He has the advantage, being in such close proximity with the father(Pharisees knowing the OT prophesies and their great knowledge of Scripture) he should understand the father's love. But just like the Pharisees, his hardened heart was covered like a whitewashed tomb, with "obedience" to the father. So he would be reprobate?

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Ian Kemmerer
Covenant Presbetyrian Church,Reading,PA
Fleetwood,PA

"Be still, my soul: when dearest friends depart, And all is darkened in the vale of tears, Then shalt thou better know His love, His heart, Who comes to soothe thy sorrow and thy fears. Be still, my soul: thy Jesus can repay From His own fullness all He takes away."