וְ יִפְ תָ ח ה גִ לְ עָדִ י הָ יָה גִ בֹור ח יִל (Judges 11:1). THE STORY OF YIFTACH. The Ralbag says that Yiftach had no Maalos other than his Gevura. He was a leader of empty people and he himself was a Kal SheB’kalim nobody of nobodies. Yet, in this week’s Haftorah we see him hesitating, and Davka not engaging in warfare with Amon at first. He speaks with Gevaldige Yiras Shamayim, Eidelkeit, and Emuna and Bitachon.
This is Middas HaAnava; when a person can be tough but he isn’t. We can suggest that this is why he insisted upon being a Rosh, because a Rosh becomes a new person with new Maalos, in both Ruchaniyus and Gashmiyus. He would have wanted to just go to battle, since Gevura was the only thing he was good at. But instead he chose to have Middos Tovos [he first gave them a chance to make peace].
How important it is to always consider yourself a Tzaddik, a Rosh, and a Baal Ma'ala [despite your many Chesronos]. This makes you Shteig, and causes you to act with nobility!