On families, faith, and failure

Family business lessons from Gideon and Jephthah

I’ve spent the first half of 2024 drawing lessons from two of the leaders that “judged” or led Israel, Gideon and Jephthah, during Israel’s cycles of sin, oppression, repentance, and deliverance, as described in the biblical book of Judges.

Family businesses also go through cycles, and while they aren’t the same as Israel’s, repeating the behaviors (both negative and positive) of prior generations looms large for family businesses attempting to pass the business from one generation to the next.

Some of the relevant comparisons and contrasts between Gideon and Jephthah I see:

1. Family circumstances matter. Gideon had family backing; his father stepped up to defend him when he tore down Baal’s altar. But Jephthah was disowned by his family and went to live in another land. I think their family experience had an impact on how they saw themselves — their self esteem — and how they dealt with others during their life. This was demonstrated in their dealings with the Ephraimites (another tribe of Israel), with Gideon taking a more humble or political approach, while Jephthah’s anger was on full display. How does a family member’s experience at a young age (family support, family conflict, abuse, hardships, etc.) affect how one “shows up” with others later in life?

2. Approaches to faith differ. Both men were leaders, but Gideon needed several signs or demonstrations from God to feel confident in his leadership. Jephthah, identified early as a “warrior,” saw God as a source of confirmation or witness — first to his community leadership, later through his tragic vow. How does your faith inform your approach to business? Do you need and look for signs of God’s plan? Do you bargain with God: I’ll do this if you do that? How would someone reading about your life describe your relationship with God?

3. How we practice our faith can create challenges. Both Gideon and Jephthah experienced success in conquering Israel’s enemies, but Gideon’s gold ephod became a “snare” for his family and for Israel, and Jephthah’s over-the-top vow caused him to lose his daughter, repeating the cycle of family loss. Have you experienced, or witnessed, faith being used in ways that hurt the family? How do we stay aware of those tendencies and help, not harm, those nearest to us?

In the case of both Gideon and Jephthah, being chosen as a judge, and much of their success, was beyond their control. When things happen to you beyond your control, how does your early family experience, and your faith, inform and guide your response?

Next week we will begin exploring the life of Samson, one of the more well-known Judges. Thanks for continuing to read, reflect, challenge, and engage with me.