Abraham Prayed for Old Age and Jacob for Illness

Until Abraham there was no old age: whoever wished to speak with Abraham would speak with Isaac, and whoever wished to speak with Isaac would speak with Abraham [since father and son looked identical]. Abraham came and sought mercy, and there was old age, as it is said, "and Abraham was old" (Genesis 24:1). Until Jacob came there was no weakness [from illness]; Jacob came and sought mercy, and there was weakness, as it is said, "and one said to Joseph, behold, your father is sick" (Genesis 48:1). Until Elisha came there was no sick person who recovered; Elisha came and sought mercy, as it is said, "and Elisha fell sick of his sickness" — and he was sick with three illnesses, and so on.