Give me a blessing; since you have given me land in the South, give me also springs of water.” Joshua 15:19.
In all of Achsah’s story, these are her only recorded words. But in these few short words, we can clearly hear and sense the boldness in her request, bordering on “demand” even, for she knew who she was. She knew she was her father’s daughter and she knew could not let the opportunity pass her by to ask her father for more. She grew up watching her father wait for his inheritance and she knew this was her moment to ask for more. Because she had learned a thing or two about inheritance after watching a generation wander in the wilderness and lose their inheritance. And she was determined by all means not to lose out on any measure of inheritance that could be hers for the asking.
Because Achsah was the daughter of Caleb, the man who had said forty years prior – “We can take the land!” One of only two men who stood in a posture of faith to take God at His word when He had clearly said He would give the Israelites the land. Ten other men had shrunk back in fear, saying, “there are giants in the land and we are grasshoppers in their sight” while Caleb and Joshua had separated themselves from the fear these other men carried and attached themselves to God’s promise, thus proving themselves to be courageous faith-filled men.
“And now, forty years later and after proclaiming “Give me my mountain!” Caleb is in process of taking conquest of the land that’s been promised to the Israelites. And upon arrival of the outskirts of a city yet to be conquered Caleb had announced “He who attacks Kirjath-Sepher and takes it, to him I will give Achsah my daughter as wife.” Caleb’s nephew Othniel rises to the occasion and takes the city, thus obtaining Achsah as his bride. Othniel however, receives much more than what he had been promised and much more than what he could have hoped for, and this is because of Othniel’s willingness to listen to and receive the words and counsel of Achsah, his newly acquired wife – the suggestion that she ask her father for yet more land than what is slated for them to receive. Othniel doesn’t stand in her way, doesn’t argue her counsel, and both he and Achsah receive a far better portion.
But a quick side note – a woman who’s not given a choice as to who she will marry isn’t too tasteful by today’s standards, but let’s look at this from the culture out of which it came. Imagine those forty years, Caleb being one of only two men brave enough who were willing to move forward into their promised land, and during these years everyone of a certain age and upward dies in the wilderness, Achsah’s mother being one of these people. Imagine the stories Caleb would have shared with Achsah – the stories of God’s mighty deeds on behalf of His people. Imagine also Caleb imparting his faith and spiritual DNA into his daughter through the telling of these stories. It’s highly probably Caleb raised her to be not just a strong woman, but a strong woman of faith. And what does a strong woman need? A strong man! And so by giving his daughter to the victor, Caleb was ensuring a mighty man of valor for his daughter, as he knows that only a strong man will suit her. And when two strong people stand together much is accomplished, as is made apparent in Achsah’s story.
Enter back into Achsah’s story now. Achsah assesses her situation and the land that’s been allotted to her and her husband, and she makes an astute observation. The land that’s been appropriated to her and Othniel is far from ideal. It’s a land without water or water rights and a land without water is not good enough. Achsah has made an accurate assessment of this land and decides she’s not going to settle for this land that’s less than ideal. She wants a better portion, the full measure of her inheritance. She wants all that’s within her right to receive as the daughter of the one who’s been instrumental in taking the land. What’s been promised is a land of milk and honey, and this portion of land is not that. Rather, it is a land that will not reach its capacity for fruitfulness. Achsah knows she must ask for more.
Achsah therefore, after consulting with her husband, approaches her father with the only recorded words we have of her, “Give me a blessing…give me also spring of water.” In actuality, this is more of a demand than a request, and with these actions and these words we glean much insight into the character and virtue of Achsah. She comes not with timidity, but with boldness and with same measure of confident faith her father had expressed when he had boldly declared “we can take the land!” She portrays here that she is indeed her father’s daughter.
And without hesitation Caleb grants Achsah both the upper and lower springs. He is her father and not surprisingly he wants what’s best for his daughter. And Achsah must have known this. She knew her father’s heart and she knew all she had to do was ask. She could have settled for less, but she understood there was more to be gained in the asking. And she asked forthrightly, without shame and without guilt. She knew her worth in her father’s eyes. After forty years spent wandering in the wilderness with no battles to fight and no land to take, Caleb had had ample time to share his heart with his daughter and his love for her. And their bond likely intensified after the death of Achsah’s mother.
And in the asking and receiving, Achsah proved her worth to her new husband stepping into her role of wife. For it was she who was instrumental in the expansion of their newly-acquired territory. Additionally, she honored Othniel by consulting him first, and in doing so she modeled she was a wife worthy of his trust. A wife that would bring him much gain. Together they modeled the value of two standing together; the strength of union.
And Achsah’s story is a reminder – not to become like those James speaks of who “have not because they ask not.” Because you also have a Father who wants what’s best for you, and a Father who has an inheritance for you and who wants to see you blessed. And perhaps you also sense that God has more for you. Your see beyond your current situation and you see the potential of the more. It doesn’t matter that others don’t see what you see or that others only see “what is” and not what could be. Others may be willing to settle for a lesser portion, but you are not required to. Hold true to who you are and what you know God has for you, as did Achsah. You too have a Father you can approach boldly with your requests, and there is never any reproach in the asking. In fact, God delights in the faith tucked inside of your ask. He is your father who has an inheritance for you and who delights to give you good gifts out of the abundance of the goodness of His heart toward you. It’s time now for you to ASK for your more.
Meditative Scripture:
Fear not, little flock, for it is your Father’s good pleasure to give you the things of the kingdom. Luke 12:32
This is the confidence we have in approaching God: that if we ask anything according to His will, He hears us. 1 John 5:14
Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need. Hebrews 4:16