Identity Theft
- Isaac's life is very similar to his father Abraham's. He, too, leaves Canaan to escape a famine, makes a covenant with God, tries to pull the sister-wife switch, gets super rich, cuts a deal with Abimelech, and argues over wells.
- Fast forward. Isaac is old and his vision is going. He calls for Esau and wants to bless him after Esau hunts and grills up some meat for him.
- Rebekah overhears the whole conversation and reports the details to Jacob.
- She urges Jacob to do it himself so that he might acquire the blessing. Isaac won't know the difference. He's blind.
- Scandalous!
- She dresses Jacob up in his brother's clothes and puts some animal fur on his hands and back. Then she hands Jacob the food.
- Jacob goes to his old, near-sighted dad and commits what we would today call identity theft by pretending to be Esau.
- Isaac eats and downs some wine. Then Isaac kisses Jacob, and notices that he smells just like Esau (Jacob is wearing his clothes, after all).
- Finally, Isaac gives Jacob his blessing.
- Success.
- Then tornado-like confusion ensues when Esau returns from his hunt. Isaac and Esau realize what Jacob did, and Esau's none too happy about it.
- Rebekah overhears Esau plotting to kill Jacob and tells Jacob to take off and go hang out with the extended family in Haran.