This passage reveals to us more of Jacob's character.  More importantly, it demonstrates God's continued providential care for him.  But most importantly of all, it opens for us a gateway to one of the main themes of leadership in Scripture: the analogy of shepherding.  God made it a practice to call the greatest leaders of His people from among the shepherds, and in the New Testament He tells His ministers to be shepherds to HIs people.  This theme finds its fullest manifestation in Christ Himself - the Good Shepherd of the sheep.