In the womb he took his brother by the heel; And in his manhood he had power with God.
"In his manhood he had power with God ..."  Some would take this as a negative statement with reference to Jacob, but the fact of God's speaking with Jacob must be understood as desirable and complimentary to Jacob. Furthermore, the context reveals that God's speaking to Jacob was upon behalf of all of his posterity, and not for his benefit only.  See under  Hosea 12:4, below.