From comparative mythology, that would rather be a Cthonic fertility god. Jacob would embody the Organising principle wrestling with nature, thus the dark earth would be turned or 'ploughed' and unwilling to be exposed to the life-giving sun. It sounds like an agricultural myth in that sense. Jacob became Israel, which embodies the struggle of God, so it is a similar myth to Marduk cutting up the primordial world and bringing order from chaos. If anything, Jacob would embody the Sun, as why would the sun fear the coming of day, unless you assume it wouldn't unless he was released? The ancients generally saw the sun as being in a chariot or a boat, and there is no such in this myth.
The significance of the lame hip goes along with this. The disabled god is a common motief for bringing forth from the earth, like the lame Vulcan or Hephaestus, or for Order in the form of Law, like blind Odin or handless Tyr or even Marcus Scaevola. To bring order involves destroying, losing something of Nature in the process.
Placing it in context with Esau, this is the old order being replaced by the new, as the elder Esau is replaced by the younger Jacob - and renewal means loss of something too, as some tradition passes away. This hobbles progress, but results in a blessing in gaining from what came before. It is of accord with blind Isaac blessing his younger son, where again the agricultural Jacob replaces Esau the huntsman. Again a disabled lawgiver in a way (as is the stuttering Moses too, remember). This is an elaborate agricultural myth, probably looking at the watered lands of the Baalim being brought into cultivation.
Of course, there are many other layers of meaning as to Jew vs Gentile and about the Covenants that are far more fruitful by way of meaning, but that is a more involved discussion. YHWH likes to embody prophecy in physical action, like the shattered pot of Jeremiah. Jacob as Israel embodies the Covenant or Law of God. It is the hobbling of freedom in exchange for blessing.