Lehi reminds Jacob of the benefits of his relationship to God. At this point in Jacob's life, he has clearly demonstrated an ability to love God. Whether Lehi knew that Jacob would be such a powerful preacher is unclear. The blessing Lehi pronounces, that God should consecrate Jacob's afflictions for his gain may or may not have stemmed from prescient vision of the man Jacob would become - preaching with power.
Many years later this same prophetic encouragement and promise was also given to the prophet Joseph Smith from the Lord: "My son, peace be unto thy soul; thine adversity and thine afflictions shall be but a small moment; and then if thou endure it well, God shall exalt thee on high; thou shalt triumph over all thy foes. . . (TEACHINGS OF THE PROPHET JOSEPH SMITH : Page 134 ).
Literary Analysis: Lehi uses the afflictions of Jacob as the launching pad for his sermon, which will develop this seeming conflict between the afflictions and the results of the afflictions. Lehi doubtless wanted to preach this sermon to his sons. He chooses Jacob as the focus of the sermon precisely so that he could turn the idea of the afflictions into an explanation of how these things work in this world. Jacob's goodness also served as the clear example that Lehi was correct, and that the afflictions did not need to tear one down.
Remember that this is a lecture to all, even though directed at Jacob. It is not, however, directed solely at Lehi's immediate family, but to us as well, for we are also in need of understanding both why afflictions come, and the ways in which they may be turned for our benefit.