Ever since his birth, Jacob had been wrestling with Esau for Isaac’s favor. Why did Jacob want the blessing of the firstborn? More than the blessing of God, Jacob wanted a blessing from his father. But at the Jabbok river, Jacob meets God and receives God’s blessing. Jacob realizes that the true father who loves him is God. Jacob’s new name, Israel, marks his new identity as God’s beloved son. Not long after, Jacob gets rid of all the idols in his household. The remedy for idolatry is “rejoicing” in God’s love for us.