Scripture Daily

Context No. 3316 of 4322 · Joshua

Context · Reflection

Joshua 15:13-18: in context

13He gave to Caleb the son of Jephunneh a portion among the children of Judah, according to the commandment of the LORD to Joshua, even Kiriath Arba, named after the father of Anak (also called Hebron). 14Caleb drove out the three sons of Anak: Sheshai, and Ahiman, and Talmai, the children of Anak. 15He went up against the inhabitants of Debir: now the name of Debir before was Kiriath Sepher. 16Caleb said, “He who strikes Kiriath Sepher, and takes it, to him I will give Achsah my daughter as wife.” 17Othniel the son of Kenaz, the brother of Caleb, took it: and he gave him Achsah his daughter as wife. 18When she came, she had him ask her father for a field. She got off her donkey, and Caleb said, “What do you want?”

Caleb, now old, still takes his mountain and drives out the giants, the sons of Anak, claiming the inheritance God had promised him. Then his daughter Achsah shows initiative of her own: given in marriage to Othniel, she urges him, and then boldly asks her father for a field, and for springs of water to go with it, upper and lower springs, so the land would be fruitful.

There is faith and boldness in both father and daughter. Caleb claims his promised portion despite the giants who held it. And Achsah does not settle for dry ground; she asks for the water that makes the inheritance flourish, and her father gives her the upper and lower springs. God honors those who ask for the fullness of what he intends, who are not content with the bare land but seek the springs that bring it to life. Achsah's quiet boldness is a small picture of a faith that asks God, not for the least, but for what will make his gifts truly fruitful.

Do I ask God boldly for the "springs" that would make his gifts truly fruitful in my life, or do I settle for less than the fullness he intends?

Sources