He didn't HAVE to do anything, he did it because neither he nor his mother fully believed God would fulfill His promise.
The context is Jacob had to trick his father in order to receive the blessing usually reserved for the oldest son. Had Jacob not joined his mother’s conspiracy and accomplished the subterfuge I am sure God had a way to fulfill His Promise in Jacob, the twister. When God ironed the twist out, He renamed him Isra el.
Isn’t it interesting how many examples God has given us of
Him promising, then men and women failing to believe the Promise and the consequences? And look at the ones who DO believe God’s Promises ... Rahab comes to mind, and Ruth, and Esther, and Mary, and Daniel, and Abraham, and Saul of Tarsus, and Cornelius, and ... well, you get the gist.