Patriarch Jacob, son of Isaac and Rebekah, twin brother of Esau (Moses I, 25, 19).
He is the third of the patriarchs of the Old Testament. He is the final link in the holy trinity of patriarchs, the royal fathers and friends of God.  The story of salvation starts to unfurl with him from the confines of the family circle to become that of the people of Israel.  His mother Rebecca had said: “You carry two peoples in your soul” (Genesis 25, 20-25).  Her twin sons, Esau and Jacob, were sons of the promise, pleaded for by their father, Isaac, when he was sixty years old.  The second son alone was predestined to make his mark in the history of salvation.  Just as he had unconsciously at birth sought to preempt his brother, (Jacob’s name has been interpreted as “heel holder”), he was undeservedly given the birthright to become the progenitor of the people.  This shows us that God will lend no weight to moral judgement on the actions of those who serve him in his salvation plan.  Thus it was initially simply a merciful coincidence that Jacob became the instrument of divine salvation.  However, he would have to pay for the privilege all his life.  Jacob was 130 years old when he left his homeland and thereafter he lived in Egypt for another 17 years.   Before his death he made Joseph solemnly promise him that he would be buried in the grave of his fathers at Hebron.   He found his final resting place alongside his wife Lia in the burial cave at Machpela.
Jacob is the widely-traveled and sorely tried among the patriarchs... However, in all the eventful phases of his life he demonstrated an exceptional magnanimity and dignity.
As much as he felt compelled to reprimand disorder, he always did so mindful of his own shortcomings.  This is why his reputation and possessions grew and he won the hearts of the people wherever he went.  But most of all he was honoured with God’s love and it was that which he appreciated the most and which blessed him and protected him on all his ways.