Expectations for leadership in the family business

Roughly two to three generations after the experiences of Jepthah, we have the story of another Judge, Samson. Israel had predictably followed the pattern laid out earlier in the Book of Judges and “did what is evil in the sight of the Lord." As a result, God handed them over to the Philistines. This sets the stage for the entrance of Samson:

There was a certain man of Zorah, of the tribe of the Danites, whose name was Manoah. And his wife was barren and had no children. And the angel of the Lord appeared to the woman and said to her, “Behold, you are barren and have not borne children, but you shall conceive and bear a son. Therefore be careful and drink no wine or strong drink, and eat nothing unclean, for behold, you shall conceive and bear a son. No razor shall come upon his head, for the child shall be a Nazirite to God from the womb, and he shall begin to save Israel from the hand of the Philistines.” (Judges 13:2-5)

Whereas Gideon and Jephthah were chosen by God when they were young adults, and had very different family experiences, we see God’s plan for Samson through his parents. An angel approaches Samson’s barren mother to let her know not only of the miracle of her impending pregnancy, but that her son will be one of Israel’s leaders. Note that Sarah, Rebekah, Rachel, Hannah, and Elizabeth were also barren and then gave birth to Isaac, Jacob, Joseph, the prophet Samuel, and John the Baptist, respectively. God’s intervention in childbirth signifies great things!

Owners of family businesses often have high hopes that their young children will someday lead the family business, particularly if the company has been passed down for several generations. Sometimes, parents attempt to conceal their hopes out of fear of unduly influencing their kids. Other times, expectations for leadership are laid out so explicitly that the next generation feels incredible — and sometimes unbearable — pressure. The question I’m wondering at the beginning of Samson’s story is this: What might growing up feel like when there are “great expectations” by your parents, your community, even God, for your life?

Did expectations for leadership exist at an early age for you, or others, in your family business? What expectations do you have for the next generation, and how might their knowledge of those expectations shape them and their self-perception, attitudes, and behaviors?