SEPTEMBER 11, 2016
ACHSAH’S REQUEST
INTRODUCTION:
1. In this and the two preceding chapters, the divine historian was moved to inject some particular events that add a great deal of excitement to what might otherwise have been rather tedious reading to even the most avid student of biblical history. Their importance notwithstanding, a continuous list of geographical boundaries and landmarks can become a bit wearisome, thus the Holy Spirit spices up the record considerably by adding certain pertinent and inspiring stories. For example, in Chapter 13 the account of Balaam’s death was inserted because of the obvious connection to how the two and a half tribes came to inherit the land of Midian. Then, again, in Chapter 14 we are given the inspiring story of “Caleb’s mountain” as a prelude to the allotment of Judah, which was his tribe.
2. In this chapter, as Joshua was marking out the borders of Judah’s inheritance we are treated to the story of Caleb’s daughter. The request that she made of her father clearly contains a very important lesson for us, since it is twice recorded in Scripture: once here, and again in exact detail in Judges 1:12-15.
I. ACHSAH, CALEB’S DAUGHTER, WHOSE HAND WAS WON IN MARRIAGE BY OTHNIEL, RECEIVED FROM HER FATHER AN INHERITANCE, WHICH SHE HOPED TO IMPROVE. (VERSES 13-19)
1. Notice all of this is predicated on the fact that Caleb was successful in driving out the Anakims and claiming Mount Hebron for his inheritance. (Ch. 14:12; Ch. 15:14)
2. Caleb had not believed the Lord in vain. He had at age 85 driven the fierce and giant-like sons of Anak out from his inheritance. Hebron was now his. (Verse 13)
3. Zealous not merely to gain his own portion, but also to see that this brethren received theirs, he set his sights on the city of Debir as well. He intended to take if from the Canaanites. (Verse 15; see also Ch. 10:39)
4. At the same time, he had a desire to see his daughter marry well; so combining the two interests, he made a proffer of her to the brave man that would win her hand. (Verse 16; Compare I Sam. 17:25)
a) Othniel, whose name means “lion of God,” accepted the challenge.
b) It may well be that Othniel had found favor with Caleb already, and the proffer was made with him in mind.
5. Achsah and her new husband, Othniel, would now make their home in the south land which she had received from her father, and hopefully, build it into a rich estate.
6. Hopeful to make her inheritance as rich and fruitful as it could possibly be, Achsah requested that her father add springs of water to that which he had already given.
a) She would not exist merely, but live and enjoy a goodly estate.
b) She would have her children to inherit something of value.
7. The problem was that her portion was a south land. It was hot and dry and without additional water it would not be nearly so fruitful.
8. Some might think that she was being greedy, since her father had already given her a sizeable inheritance.
a) Apparently Othniel thought so, since he declined to heed his new wife’s appeal when she asked him to speak to his father-in-law about it. (Verse 18)
b) She, however, did not think it an unreasonable request, for it was simply wishing to make the land more fruitful.
c) Nor did Caleb think it unreasonable, since he granted her request.
9. Our Heavenly Father will never think us greedy when we ask of Him that which will make our lives fruitful. (Luke 11:13; John 15:7)
a) The fact is, He tells us that in this mind we may “ask what we will.” Some would have this to mean that we can ask anything without exception, but, our flesh would ask for things that would hinder our fruitfulness, and God is too wise and loving to grant such requests.
b) Jesus said, “If ye then, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children: How much more shall your Heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to them that ask of Him?” This is exactly what Achsah’s request pictures – that is, God the Father giving the Holy Spirit to His children so that they might live fruitful lives.
10. From this example we learn two things.
a) That we are to make our requests known to our Heavenly Father.
b) How we may expect to be received when we do.
II. NOTICE HER THOUGHTFUL CONSIDERATION OF THE MATTER BEFORE SHE WENT TO HER FATHER.
1. She saw what was needed, and went to him with a definite request. “Give me also springs of water.” Hosea instructs us when we pray, “Take with you words.” (Hos. 14:2)
a) She was not asking for ease, or that life be made effortless.
b) She was willing to work, but all of the word in the world would prove fruitless without this essential thing – water.
2. Othniel seems to have been reluctant to make such a request. Perhaps this even reflects a self-sufficient attitude.
a) Very brave and talented men like himself are often bashful about asking for things. (Especially from a father-in-law.)
b) But, no matter how skilled he was, he could not make dry land grow crops without water. ”It is not by power nor by might, but by my Spirit, saith the Lord.”
3. Achsah had one tremendous advantage. Caleb was her father.
a) Not just any woman could have expected such a request to be granted by this man.
b) Jesus taught us to pray, “Our Father…”
4. Notice also how respectfully and humbly she approached her father. “She lighted from off her ass.” (Compare Gen. 24:64) This was a show of reverence. We may be bold in prayer, but never presumptuous or irreverent. Jesus, Who taught us to pray, “Our Father…” also taught us to pray, “Hallowed by thy name.”
III. NOTICE HOW ACHSAH WAS ENCOURAGED TO MAKE THIS REQUEST.
1. Othniel wasn’t much encouragement. Even those closest to us may at times be a discouragement to our faith rather than an encouragement.
2. Her father encouraged her to ask.
a) By a welcoming countenance, and a loving look.
b) By welcoming her plea, “What wilt thou?”
(1) He knew by the look on her face that she wanted something. (Fathers seem to have that ability.)
(2) She knew by his look and his voice that all was well.
c) Our Father already knows what we have need of before we ask, yet He tells us to ask. Fathers take pleasure in hearing their children ask, rather than to just take their gifts for granted.
IV. NOW, LOOK AT THE REQUEST ITSELF. “GIVE ME A BLESSING.”
1. It is mingled with gratitude and acknowledgment of previous blessings. “Thou hast given me a south land.”
a) Notice this was her grounds for asking. “For thou hast given…”
b) Let us make our Heavenly Father’s benevolence our basis for asking.
2. She was actually asking her father to finish what he had begun. “If the estate is to be fruitful, you must give water to go with the land that you have already given.”
3. Her prayer was not general, but specific. “…springs of water…”
4. Notice, she received form her bountiful father more than she had asked.
a) Springs in the high ground and also springs in the low ground.
b) Far from resenting her asking, her father gave her abundantly above what she had asked, just as our Heavenly Father delights to do for us. (Eph. 3:20, 21)
5. Our Heavenly Father has blessed us with “…upper springs and nether springs.”
a) He has given us both heavenly and earthly blessings.
b) He has blessed us in soul as well as body.
c) He has given us the life that now is (this earthly life), and also that which it so come (life in heaven). (I Tim. 4:8)
d) We have an Advocate before the heavenly throne (I John 2:1), plus we have the Holy Spirit abiding in us here below Who makes intercession for us. (Rom. 8:26)
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