A High Price for Success
Can you read the life of Jephthah, recorded in Judges 11-12, and not be overcome with emotion at the tragedy?
He was an outcast from his family through no fault of his own—his father, Gilead, hired a prostitute one night; Jephthah was the fruit of that sinful liaison. Gilead’s other sons didn’t want their half-brother-son-of-a-hooker hanging around, so they banished him from the territory and from any hope of inheritance.
Fast forward a few years.
As an outcast, Jephthah learned to fight for himself, even developed a little rag-tag army of malcontents—fellow social outcasts, if you will. They developed a reputation as a force to be reckoned with. In the meantime, the Ammonites—perpetual enemies that they were—have been plaguing the region Jephthah’s brothers called home, and no one seemed capable of leading a military force against the oppressors.
So, Gilead’s sons turned to their half-brother for help, who insisted that he’ll come to their aid on one condition: they make him their leader even after the war's over. He has to strike a bargain with his own kin to gain their favor: “I get you a victory; you give me a place of esteem”!
They agree to the terms. But make no mistake about it, Jephthah understands their true feelings: they don’t want him, but they have no alternative. Imagine the impact of that on your self-esteem!
Off to war they go with Jephthah at the head.
Ammonite foes are falling, but much is yet to be done. And then this outcast-turned-hero makes another bargain, but this time with the Lord: “Give me the victory, and I’ll offer as a burnt offering the first thing that comes out of my house when we get home.”
What was he thinking? Did he forget about his only child, his daughter? Or his wife? Did it not occur to him that either of these ladies might be first to welcome him home?
Apparently not…but then again, maybe so.
Part of the tragedy here is Jephthah’s notion that God was like his brothers… to be accepted by God, he had to bargain with God: “You give me victory, I give you a burnt offering of something precious to me.” With his brothers, he had to win a battle; with God, he had to sacrifice something—or someone.
I can’t help but wonder if, in his eagerness to be accepted as leader over a region of Israel, he was willing to sacrifice anything, even his only child. Would it hurt? Yes, but, hey, that’s the price for success!
Nonsense, you say? Not really.
People do that all the time. Want to be a success in that coveted career…get a promotion…bigger house…nicer car…fancy toys…creature comforts…? Bargains have to be struck. Deals have to be made. Sacrifices have to be offered. Everything has its price. This has to be given up for that.
So men and women today are willing to sacrifice their children (even unborn ones!) or marriages or other important relationships or…whatever…to get what they think they want.
Of course, tragedy follows, as it did for Jephthah.
Is the real cost ever understood? Only after it’s too late.
He was an outcast from his family through no fault of his own—his father, Gilead, hired a prostitute one night; Jephthah was the fruit of that sinful liaison. Gilead’s other sons didn’t want their half-brother-son-of-a-hooker hanging around, so they banished him from the territory and from any hope of inheritance.
Fast forward a few years.
As an outcast, Jephthah learned to fight for himself, even developed a little rag-tag army of malcontents—fellow social outcasts, if you will. They developed a reputation as a force to be reckoned with. In the meantime, the Ammonites—perpetual enemies that they were—have been plaguing the region Jephthah’s brothers called home, and no one seemed capable of leading a military force against the oppressors.
So, Gilead’s sons turned to their half-brother for help, who insisted that he’ll come to their aid on one condition: they make him their leader even after the war's over. He has to strike a bargain with his own kin to gain their favor: “I get you a victory; you give me a place of esteem”!
They agree to the terms. But make no mistake about it, Jephthah understands their true feelings: they don’t want him, but they have no alternative. Imagine the impact of that on your self-esteem!
Off to war they go with Jephthah at the head.
Ammonite foes are falling, but much is yet to be done. And then this outcast-turned-hero makes another bargain, but this time with the Lord: “Give me the victory, and I’ll offer as a burnt offering the first thing that comes out of my house when we get home.”
What was he thinking? Did he forget about his only child, his daughter? Or his wife? Did it not occur to him that either of these ladies might be first to welcome him home?
Apparently not…but then again, maybe so.
Part of the tragedy here is Jephthah’s notion that God was like his brothers… to be accepted by God, he had to bargain with God: “You give me victory, I give you a burnt offering of something precious to me.” With his brothers, he had to win a battle; with God, he had to sacrifice something—or someone.
I can’t help but wonder if, in his eagerness to be accepted as leader over a region of Israel, he was willing to sacrifice anything, even his only child. Would it hurt? Yes, but, hey, that’s the price for success!
Nonsense, you say? Not really.
People do that all the time. Want to be a success in that coveted career…get a promotion…bigger house…nicer car…fancy toys…creature comforts…? Bargains have to be struck. Deals have to be made. Sacrifices have to be offered. Everything has its price. This has to be given up for that.
So men and women today are willing to sacrifice their children (even unborn ones!) or marriages or other important relationships or…whatever…to get what they think they want.
Of course, tragedy follows, as it did for Jephthah.
Is the real cost ever understood? Only after it’s too late.
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