History repeats itself in the family business

My last reflection focused on how the Israelites suffered because they turned away from God. It is one part of a cycle, and we see the fullness of the pattern here:

Then the Lord raised up judges, who saved them out of the hand of those who plundered them. Yet they did not listen to their judges, for they whored after other gods and bowed down to them. They soon turned aside from the way in which their fathers had walked, who had obeyed the commandments of the Lord, and they did not do so. Whenever the Lord raised up judges for them, the Lord was with the judge, and he saved them from the hand of their enemies all the days of the judge. For the Lord was moved to pity by their groaning because of those who afflicted and oppressed them. But whenever the judge died, they turned back and were more corrupt than their fathers, going after other gods, serving them and bowing down to them. They did not drop any of their practices or their stubborn ways. So the anger of the Lord was kindled against Israel…(Judges 2:16-20)

The philosophy of history of our author has now been wholly expressed. It consists of several movements: God blesses Israel. Israel forgets God’s blessing and worships other Gods. God stops protecting Israel. Israel suffers and cries out. God sends a judge to save them. Then the cycle repeats – a bunch, as we’ll see.

Think about your own history or that of other family businesses, and the events or behaviors that tend to repeat from generation to generation. A division, splitting, or selling the business. A repetitive type of conflict or estrangement, divorces, or lawsuits. Or the recurrence of addictive behaviors, or even abuse.  It seems that cycles are really difficult to stop, and that pain (perhaps collective pain) is a prerequisite to change.

Have you seen history repeat itself in your family or family business? Have you ever tried or been able to break the cycle of an unhealthy pattern in the family business?