Joshua 14:6-15:19
Caleb, who was one of the spies who had been sent to spy the land by Moses, now asks for his inheritance. The Lord delights to have us take Him at His Word, as Caleb did here. The Lord had promised him a portion, and so he claimed it. And the Lord has given you and me a portion in Christ—a rich and abundant portion—and He delights to have us remind Him of what He has promised, and to see us rejoicing in it already by faith. Caleb’s portion was in the mountain where the giants dwelt, but he was not afraid of them because he counted upon the Lord. May we be more like Caleb, and ever be willing to wholly follow the Lord.
How carefully the borders of the possessions of each tribe were marked out, showing us that God knows all about us. He knows all about our neighbors and those with whom we work, and every detail about our existence. It is always comforting to the heart of those who seek to please the Lord to know that the Lord has put them in the very spot where He wants them. And He will enable us in those circumstances to live for His glory, if we only look to Him for grace and strength. This we learn especially in the case of Caleb, who was of the tribe of Judah, and who is brought before us again here. He drove out the giants from the city of Hebron, and then said that he would give his daughter to the man who would take Kirjath-sepher. Othniel took up the challenge and smote the city, so Achsah, Caleb’s daughter, became his wife.
Perhaps there is a little lesson here for those who are young and thinking of a partner in life. Too much attention is often paid to good looks and fine clothes, and other natural advantages, but one feels it would be a good thing if more consideration were given to the matter of devotedness to Christ. If young men and young women looked to see what there was of devoted service to Christ in their friendships, as with Othniel in our chapter, there would undoubtedly be more happy Christian homes, where Christ was given His rightful place.
We notice, too, that Achsah moved her husband to ask her father to give them a field, showing that she valued the inheritance her father had received through his devotedness. Perhaps this has a lesson for young married women too. They have a great influence over their husbands, and “move” them to seek certain things. Sometimes, alas, they move them to seek after earthly ease or position, but what a splendid thing it is when they encourage their husbands to seek after the things of the Lord. Such requests for “the true riches” are sure to be granted, but how often the acquiring of the things of earth has brought sorrow and trouble with it.
When Caleb had granted Achsah’s request, then she asked for more! She asked for springs of water, so he gave her the upper and the nether springs to go with the land. It is not just the knowledge of the truth that is needed, but that our souls should be fed and refreshed by it, like the water which makes the ground fruitful. May we be careful that there is the enjoyment of that which we possess in Christ—let us seek this as Achsah did. Perhaps the upper springs would speak to us of Christ in glory, and the nether springs of Christ in His pathway here, for surely as we think of Him in either way our thirsty souls are refreshed.
ML 05/17/1953