Was Jacob a believer when he left for the far country and received God's protection?
No. As Jacob went into the far country, he was under the protection and blessing of the Almighty God, yet he himself was still an unbeliever. He is described as still the supplanter and the deceiver, so God's protection and blessing did not indicate that Jacob had personal faith.
Les explains that Jacob, when he left for the far country, was under the protection and blessing of the Almighty God, but he himself was still an unbeliever. Jacob is still called the supplanter and deceiver at that point. This shows that God's protection and blessing can be upon someone who has not yet believed, just as the context notes God's sovereign working even while people are in unbelief.