Judges 1:8 – 15 “Then the men of Judah fought against Jerusalem and captured it. They put the city to the sword and set it on fire. Afterward, the men of Judah marched down to fight against the Canaanites living in the hill country, in the Negev, and in the foothills. Judah also marched against the Canaanites who were living in Hebron (formerly known as Kiriath-arba), and they struck down Sheshai, Ahiman, and Talmai.
From there they marched against the residents of Debir (formerly known as Kiriath-sepher). And Caleb said, “To the man who strikes down Kiriath-sepher and captures it, I will give my daughter Achsah in marriage.” So Othniel son of Kenaz, Caleb’s younger brother, captured it, and Caleb gave his daughter Achsah to him in marriage.
One day Achsah came to Othniel and urged him to ask her father for a field. When she got off her donkey, Caleb asked her, “What do you desire?” “Give me a blessing,” she answered. “Since you have given me land in the Negev, give me springs of water as well.” So Caleb gave her both the upper and lower springs.”
At first, this story about the conquest of Canaan sounds great! Jerusalem captured! Hebron captured! But when it’s time to capture Debir, Caleb makes a strange promise: he promises his daughter Achsah’s hand in marriage to whomever captures Debir. And Othniel, Caleb’s nephew, wins the girl.
Who was Caleb? When Moses sent twelve spies into the land of Canaan to check things out, Joshua and Caleb were the only two men who brought back a good report and who urged the Israelites to go in faith that God would help them. Numbers 13 records the story. After telling how wonderful the land was, ten of the spies terrified the Israelites with stories of giants. Joshua and Caleb attempt to rally the people; however, they fail. But for this act of faith, God preserves Joshua and Caleb while all the rest of those who failed to trust Him die. Later on at the age of 85, Caleb testifies of how God has kept him strong and asks to be given Hebron, even though it is a city where giants live. The story as told in Joshua 14 is one of the most inspiring stories in the Old Testament and well worth reading.
Achsah is the bold daughter of a bold and righteous man. Caleb has become a prominent leader, second only to Joshua. It’s quite possible that Achsah is being pestered by a number of young men who hope to gain Caleb’s wealth by marrying Achsah. When it comes time for Caleb to find a husband for his daughter Achsah, he wants someone truly worthy of her for her husband. The name “Othniel” means “God’s strength, God’s lion.” By conquering Debir, Othniel lives up to his name, proving himself worthy to marry Achsah.
What does Achsah think about this whole matter? Perhaps Achsah and Othniel have already formed some kind of a bond. The name “Achsah” means “adorned,” a name Caleb obviously has given her in love. At any rate, Achsah does not complain about her new husband. But there is a small problem. Caleb has given Achsah land in the Negev, a wilderness area where water is particularly precious. Othniel and Achsah have a discussion, and in the end it is Achsah who goes to Caleb and requests land with springs of water. When Achsah asks for a blessing, Caleb gives her not one, but two sets of springs, a priceless gift.
APPLICATION: What can we learn from Achsah?
1. Achsah knows her father is a good and faithful man who loves her, and she trusts him.
2. Achsah is not afraid to go to her father and ask for a blessing.
3. When Achsah asks Caleb, Caleb gives her more than she has asked for.
Many times we are afraid to ask God for things. Perhaps we aren’t sure that God really loves us or that He will hear us when we pray. Perhaps we have committed some sin that haunts us so that we are afraid to go to God in prayer. Perhaps we don’t really know God. Achsah knew her father Caleb was good and faithful and loving; however, many of us firmly believe that God is an angry Deity who is just waiting for us to mess up so that He can punish us. Nothing could be further from the truth!
John 3:16 – 17 says, “For God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son, that everyone who believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through Him.” God has already sent Jesus to die for our sins so that those of us who believe on Jesus will have eternal life in heaven. If God has already loved us this much, why won’t He also hear our prayers? True, we may ask for things that we shouldn’t. No parent agrees to everything their children ask. But God also delights in blessing us as it says in 2 Corinthians 9:8. “ And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that in all things, at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work.”
Let’s pray together.
PRAYER: Father God, we confess that we are sinners and that by ourselves we do not deserve anything good. But we thank You that because Jesus has died for our sins, He has paid the price of sin for us. Lord, we come to you asking for Your blessings. (Here you can insert your own needs.) Thank you for loving us! Thank you for hearing our prayers! And thank you that the answers to our prayers were already on the way even before we asked. Amen.
Burunche's Blog 
Leave a comment