This story is the longest single narrative in the whole book of Genesis. One of the main things it shows us is the providential but hidden guidance of God to bring about the fulfillment of his purposes. That's important for us as late-modern, Western individuals. Because two things we crave are control and personal fulfillment. Therefore we put a lot of emphasis on receiving guidance, and have a lot of anxiety over the possibility of "messing up" our lives. This passage has a lot to show us about how God guides us, but in ways that are quite unexpected.