by faith...Jacob

Here is one whose testimony is that of "schemer."  So, why would he be mentioned in the "hall of faith?"  (Gen 25.27-34, 27.1-29)  Nothing he did testified of faith. 
Back to the beginning:

• even from the womb, he was a manipulator.  He tried to come out first when his little hand grabbed his twin brother's heel (Gen 25.26) - His name means, "deceitful or supplanter."  We are all born with a genetic makeup from our parents.  His came from his mother's side, which came from her daddy, who was also a schemer, to be discovered later in Jacob's narrative.
• He is described as "a plain man."  (Gen 25.27)  He was never the "outdoorsy" type
• We know he could cook and cook well.  (Gen 25.29-34, 27.4)
• Yet, this gift of culinary skill was used to deceive.  First, on his own, then at the direction of his mother. (Gen 25.29-34, 27.4)  He asked for the birthright that belonged to the eldest child.  Because Esau was so hungry, he cared nothing of what was his because he was the eldest.  He favored his belly over his inheritance. Isaac was the same.  The difference was Isaac had grown soft, frail and blind in his old age and thought only of the next meal, it seems.  A warning for the believer; We should get stronger in the faith, not weaker, because of age.

A spiritual lesson may be applied at this point. It is a firm conviction of this believer that God gives each individual gifts and strengths.  When used for His glory, Amen.  When used for personal gain, shame.  Also, Esau is like the believer who favors worldly pleasures over the "gifts and calling of God" that would give so much blessing and contentment. (Rom 11.29)
Believer, beware when you attempt to accomplish any goal your way.  If it's not the will of God you will have to do it on your own and may seem to prosper for a while but you will never be completely happy or content with the result because you did it your way and not His.  Remember when Israel wanted a king and they got one, Saul?  His heart was never like King David who said he was like the "hart that panteth after the waterbrook." (Ps 42.1)  King Saul was not God's will for the people and of course, he eventually failed.

• Because of his scheming and his brother's wrath, Jacob had to flee for his life! (Gen 27.41) Now, he is sent to his Uncle Laban, who would return the same deception for 14 years! Because of Rebekah's part in such deception, she would not see her son anymore.  The law of sowing and reaping is unchangable. (Gal 6.7)
• Before he gets to Padan-aram, where he sees Rachel for the first time, Jacob dreams of how the Lord effects His will in our lives, via angels "ascending and descending" on a ladder stretched form earth to heaven. (Gen 28.12)  He is also given a promise in this dream.  In spite of his horrible manipulation of his birthright, God gives this man a promise in Gen 28.13.
• He finally marries Rachel.  Yet, Rachel's heart is not free from her upbringing, she takes an idol with her. (Gen 31.34)  It seems he cannot escape reaping his youthful manipulation.  Idolatry is brought into his home by his beloved Rachel.   His journey continues...
• He prepares to meet his brother as he journey's towards home. (Gen 32) 
• Before he is reconciled with Esau in Genesis 33, once again, he has a very restless night! (Gen 32.24-30).  This time,  after wrestling with "an angel" all night, he says, "I have seen God face to face..." (Gen 32.30) 
• Other trials and tests befall him and he loses his beloved Rachel in childbirth. (Gen 35.18)

Still struggling to understand why the Lord would name Jacob/Israel in the "hall of faith,"  this blogger can find no reason the Lord would have wanted this man except "the good pleasure of HIS will." (Eph 1.5, Phil 2.13)

Jacob's life was full of deception and lies,  whether his own or those in his own household which should've been in order.  However, one begins to see he is changing.

• He faithfully serves for the object of his affection.  (14 years to win Rachel)
• He cleans up his home when he discovers the idol Rachel took. (Gen 31.34)
• He is genuinely sorry and repentant over the treatment of Esau. (Gen 32.26)
• He struggles with all these issues as we see in his "all night prayer meeting with the angel." (Gen 32.24-30)

And, just in case the pattern of deception with the younger serving the elder continues, it is the younger grandchild of Joseph, he blesses.  He does so and "worships upon the top of his staff." (Heb 11.21, again)  My impression here is that he is STILL upright as he ends his miserable life.  But he has not been destroyed! (2 Cor 4.9-11)

Dear reader, understand, no one is perfect. We are instructed to "strive to enter in...and be ye perfect...as He is." (Lk 13.24, Mt 5.48)

The struggle is real and worth it all.