Men Behaving Badly

 Daily Reading:  Judges 12:1 – 7

“And be not conformed to this world:  but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable and perfect, will of God.”

Romans 12:2

         As a man, and as a leader, there are times when you must simply do what needs to be done.  You do it because you are the man in the place to say or do what needs to be said or done.  Far too often, men who should be leading choose passivity.  They choose to say nothing or do nothing.  Jephthah was not that man.  When called to lead, he did the work no one wanted to do.  When the dust finally settled, the other men who should have been following his lead questioned his decisions and undermined his leadership. They were so angry with him that they threatened to burn his house down with him in it.  How is that for gratitude? 

This scenario illustrates a common challenge for those who endeavor to follow God’s will: backlash from brothers in Christ who feel convicted by your actions or words. Jephthah's response is a model of humility and conviction. Instead of retaliating or defending himself with harsh words, he recounts the circumstances that led him to lead the fight against the Ammonites. He reminds them of their previous inaction and highlights that he acted out of necessity, not arrogance. Jephthah’s retelling serves as a reminder that true leaders are often misunderstood, and it is through clarity and humility that they can address grievances.  Even when clarity is given in humility, the facts are not always received with humility.

As men and leaders today, we can glean vital lessons from Jephthah's experience. When we feel called to lead, we may encounter skepticism or outright opposition, sometimes from those closest to us. It’s crucial to remain steadfast and grounded in our purpose, knowing we are humble servants of God simply seeking to do His will. We can and should also communicate openly, reminding brothers and sisters in Christ that we are all an essential part of the Body of Christ. Jephthah’s calm demeanor in the face of criticism should teach us to lead with conviction, humility, and patience.

 

Questions for Reflection:

1.       1.   How can we ensure that our actions and decisions as leaders align with God’s will, even when faced with criticism from those around us?

     2.   In what ways can we better support and uplift fellow leaders, acknowledging their challenges while fostering a culture of unity and understanding?