CALEB AND ACHSAH 1 (The Father Series)

It’s interesting how the Bible hides precious gems in the middle of seemingly mundane verses. Remember how the powerful story of Jabez was sandwiched between ‘boring’ genealogy?

Exactly.

The beautiful story of Caleb and his daughter, Achsah, is another treasure hidden between division of land. Reading the verses afresh opened my eyes to see the warrior Caleb as a representation of the Heavenly Father.

You see, Caleb wasn’t just a warrior – he was also a daddy.

At 80 years of age, he was still strong enough to fight and hold on to God’s promises^ – and one of the things he did while securing his promised lands was to get a suitable partner for his daughter, Achsah (Joshua 15:16-19). We will talk about that in a subsequent post.

After her father gave her out in marriage, Achsah didn’t just leave. Instead, she told her husband, Othniel, to ask her father for property. Then – most probably because Othniel was reluctant – she approached her father herself.

From this little story, the following points jumped out at me:

1- Achsah Was Not Afraid Of Her Father.
Othniel might have viewed his father-in-law as the Warrior Uncle Caleb, but to Achsah, he was her daddy.
Walking up to her daddy didn’t just prove she was courageous, but, rather, revealed the nature of her father:

He was approachable.

Furthermore, when she approached him, he asked her, “What do you wish for?” (vs 18, NKJV).
When I read that verse, my heart just melted.

Caleb knew his daughter.

That’s the way God is. Yes, He is the Almighty God, the Lord of Hosts – but He is still Abba…
…and He is very, very approachable.

When we enter His presence with a request, He doesn’t frown or turn His face away. He recognises we have a need and, like Caleb, He asks, “What do you want?”

2- She Was Not Afraid To Ask For a Blessing.
Achsah knew her daddy.
She knew his heart, his love and his generosity – and she was not afraid to ask because she knew him.
She was bold and confident in her knowledge of him.

Many people are afraid to outrightly ask God for things they desire because they have a wrong knowledge of Him as a father – or they have swallowed wrong teachings about His nature.

God’s highest desire is that we know Him personally.
Even if what you are asking for is not something He desires you to have, He lovingly lets you know there is something better, or it’s not time – or it’s not good for you.

But don’t be afraid to ask.

3- She Was Not Afraid To Ask For More – And She Got It.
Caleb had already given his daughter land, so he had done well (vs 19). However, Achsah wanted more – springs of water – so she asked for more.

Did her father heed her request? Yes, he did.
He didn’t view her as ungrateful or greedy. He indulgently indulged her 🙂

He loved her – and she was secure in that love.

Every good parent wants to give their child the best – if they have the resources. How much more the Heavenly father who owns all?~

But Caleb didn’t stop there.

4- Her Father Gave Her More Than The ‘More’ She Asked For.
Caleb didn’t just give her springs of water – he gave her upper AND lower springs.

The Bible says ‘…God is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think…’ (Ephesians 3:20).
Let’s really break down that verse:

God answering ALL our prayers is simply amazing.
Then, going above that ‘all’ we ask is just…mind-boggling. But God doesn’t stop there.
He desires to do abundantly more than the ‘above’ and the ‘all’ we have asked.
But because He still wants to blow our minds, He exceeds the ‘abundantly’. (I hope you get that)

That’s the Father we have.

We truly limit God because we don’t know Him as a father, so we ask for very little things – when He wants to give us the world…
…or we don’t ask at all and try to get it on our own.

I remember my former pastor’s wife telling the women, “God is your father. Allow him take care of you.”

Many of us have various reasons why God won’t bless us this way – but the fact that you are His child is sufficient reason.
The Blood is enough.

God loves YOU. Like Paul*, pray for a revelation (not just head knowledge) of that love.
Ask for a true revelation of Him as your Father.

It will blow your mind.

(References: ^Joshua 14:6-12; ~Matthew 7:11; *Ephesians 3:18,19)