These middle chapters of Joshua describe the inheritance of each of the tribes of Israel. The distribution began with the tribe of Judah. The details are given to us in two different ways: In some places Joshua describes the boundaries of the tribe: Such and such a tribe extended from this creek to the eastern slopes of that mountain. But then it was more helpful to a lot of folk to have a list of the Canaanite cities the tribe could occupy. These descriptions and lists go on for some time.
And the question might come up: “Why? What good is all of this to us?” The first answer is that God doesn’t give rewards for ignorance. That applies to our trivia study in Sunday School as well. A general knowledge of geography is a very helpful tool in the study of any civilization or society. The study of history demands a certain knowledge of geography. And these five chapters give us an initiation into Biblical geography. Then there is a spiritual application – it is good for the Christian to learn about his inheritance. Without becoming obsessed with Heaven, learning what we can about eternity is a good thing. It helps us to “set our affections on things above, not on things on the earth.” We are camped in Gilgal, still living in our travel-worn tents, awaiting the God-giving order to move and occupy the new land. It does us good to contemplate what the Lord has promised us. It relates to something called “hope.”
Sandwiched between boundaries and cities are a few interesting biographies. We have considered Joshua, and there was also Caleb. There is more about Caleb here, in regard to the taking of Hebron, and the defeat of the Anakims. Of course, we are not the least bit surprised at his victory, because he was a man of faith. We also learn that despite his advanced age, he led a part of the Judean forces against Debir. In other words, he was not so selfish that he only thought about his own particular inheritance. And we also see the love that he had for his beautiful daughter, the child of his old age. A second character in this chapter is Othniel. Here was the son of Kenaz, Caleb’s younger brother. Oh, the blessings of a godly family, where the whole family wholeheartedly serves the Lord. Othniel became the first of the great judges of Israel; he actually led the charge against Debir. “And the Spirit of the LORD came upon him, and he judged Israel, and went out to war: And the LORD delivered Chush-an-rish-a-thaim king of Mesopotamia into his hand; And his hand prevailed against Chush-an-rish-a-/thaim” – Judges 3:10. Under the leadership of Othniel Israel lived in peace for forty years. The third character in this chapter is Achsah, undoubtedly the least significant of the three. But it is Achsah who is my subject here tonight. The name “Achsah” means “anklet” as in bracelet, but something worn on the ankle. This probably indicates that this was a beautiful young lady, like a gold chain. Since Caleb is in his mid-eighties and this woman is not married, it is logical to assume that she was born in his old age. Like Jacob’s love for Joseph and Benjamin, Caleb probably had a great love for Achsah. And thus he saw to it that she married the best possible man in the tribe, guaranteeing the survival of the fittest.
Let’s see if there isn’t a lesson or two here for people of the 21st century.
First, Achsah was a woman of WISDOM.
” Wisdom is the principal thing; therefore get wisdom: and with all thy getting get understanding” – Proverbs 4:7. “How much better is it to get wisdom than gold! and to get understanding rather to be chosen than silver!” – Proverbs 16:16.
It is important to remember that ancient Israelite society was much different from ours. For instance, father had complete control over the choices and destiny of his children. If father told one of his eight sons that he was the family shepherd while everyone else became soldiers or scholars, that was the way that it was. Do you remember when Samuel was sent by God to anoint the second king of Israel. The prophet told Jesse to gather his sons together for inspection. But Jesse had already decided that David was excluded from the festivities. That was the right of the father. If Dad told daughter that she had to marry the butcher instead of the tailor, that was the way it was. Despite father’s sovereignty in this, that didn’t mean that he didn’t love his children and that he didn’t want the best for them. I think that we can see Caleb’s love for his daughter in this chapter.
But we need to analyze Caleb’s intentions. And for this I‘m using my imagination just a little bit. He probably already saw the affection between Othniel and Achsah. Sometimes that is very often something hard to hide. Besides, this marriage was probably something for which Caleb’s brother had petitioned. But before he gave the hand of his daughter to young Othniel, he wanted to test the young man’s metal. “I don’t want my daughter to marry a lazy, ignorant, good for nothing. I want her to have the best possible husband in Judah.” It is the job of parents to guard their children from friends of which they are not worthy. That means Christian friends, but even Christians may not be best for our daughters. Anyway, Caleb challenged the young men of Judah – already knowing the outcome. To make the story short and less romantic Othniel took the city of Debir. Achsah was happy, Othniel was happy, Caleb was happy. The only disappointed people were the other suitors to Achsah’s hand – or feet, in this case. And eventually Caleb gave his daughter to Othniel for his wife – verse 18.
Now, let’s notice the young woman’s wisdom – verses 18-19 – “And it came to pass, as she came unto him, that she moved him to ask of her father a field: and she lighted off her ass; and Caleb said unto her, What wouldest thou? Who answered, Give me a blessing; for thou hast given me a south land; give me also springs of water. And he gave her the upper springs, and the nether springs.” I have been a part of several weddings, and it didn’t always appear that the brides were particularly rational on that special day. I have been amazed at the details that the bride often demands in regard to that ceremony. But some of those details come out of years of meditation on the subject, sometimes beginning before the age of six. Despite the ability to discern between infinitesimal color differences in the flowers, I have also noticed that most brides are running on pure emotion that day. On some occasions there has been a decided lack of mental agility. Of course, there have been exceptions – and you ladies were undoubtedly some of them.
Caleb gave his daughter a dowery to take into this wedding, but he neglected to see that it wasn’t as productive a piece of property as it might have been. It may have had a beautiful vista – a productive and sheltering stand of oak trees – evening sunsets. But Achsah, despite the heat of the moment, saw her father’s lack of foresight and asked for just a bit more. This was in no way a transgression of the command “Thou shalt not covet.” Hers was not a request for a bag of jewels, oil wells, or even an orchard or a vineyard. She was merely asking for a basic necessity – water for the land that dear father was already giving. Undoubtedly a bit embarrassed, Caleb gave Achsah her request.
May God give us rational children, smarter than we are, even eventually wiser than ourselves. May God give us children who can use their brains honorably, beginning with the things of the Spirit.
Something else to notice here is the MEEKNESS and RESPECT of the lady.
I have never yet found a perfect child, because, as they say, “Children will be children.” I have never found a perfect child, but I have found some less perfect than others. One of the most prevalent sins of modern society is the lack of respect that children have towards adults and even their parents. Insolence, rebellion, sausiness, sassiness, even hatred and venom are rampant among teenagers today.
The Bible commands that children obey and honor their parents and elders. The Bible commands filial obedience and gives plenty of examples. Yet it is impossible to visit more than three or four homes without seeing horrible disrespect today.
And what is the cause? Many contribute it to what kids see and hear on television. They see other kids misbehaving, and think that it’s cute so they pick up the same sort of behavior. And a lot of Christians contribute this misbehavior to schools, and other things. But the primary cause of bad kids is bad parents. I’m not thinking about evil parents, but parents who aren’t parenting properly. We can teach and preach until we’re blue in the face, but until parents put into practice what the Bible teaches about child-rearing, we are going to have bad kids.
Achsah was well-taught, and showed her father the utmost respect. He may have been an old man when she was born, and he may have greatly loved her, but his age didn’t weaken him. He still expected respect, and it was given to him. Achsah saw the impropriety of even sitting before her father, when she had a request to present to him. And now that she was married there was no change in her relationship to Caleb – he was still her father. She was still obligated to love, honor and obey him, when that didn’t interfere with the new relationship that she had to Othniel. To stand when talking to Dad may be more than we expect of our children today, but it was a demand of that society. Achsah displayed an honor to her father which stands her in honor herself.
And then there was that relationship to her NEW HUSBAND.
Let me ask you, who is the head of the family which resides at your house? I know that there are a lot of jokes, but put them aside. If Dad is still living, and he is not the head of your home, then you are living in a sinful situation. Notice that immediately after they were married, Achsah asked Othniel to address her father about the lack of water on her wedding property. Reading between the lines, I see that Othniel told her that he wanted her to speak to her father. It wasn’t any weakness in Othniel; he just thought that it would be more appropriate for the daughter. If Othniel spoke to Caleb about his wife’s dowry, it would have sounded like greed on his part. But Achsah did ask her husband about it – it was the right thing to do. Ephesians 5:22-25 – “Wives, submit yourselves unto your own husbands, as unto the Lord. For the husband is the head of the wife, even as Christ is the head of the church: and he is the saviour of the body. Therefore as the church is subject unto Christ, so let the wives be to their own husbands in every thing. Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it.” Colossians 3:18 – “Wives, submit yourselves unto your own husbands, as it is fit in the Lord.” If you are guilty of calling this “male chauvinism” then you need to wash your mouth out with soap. These are the words of God, penned by His ambassadors. Even Peter said, “Wives be in subjection to your own husbands.” The Bible is not anti-women, but clearly defines the different roles of husband and wife.
If a wife is griping and picking on her husband then she needs to fall on her face before God, and then do the same before her husband. And if a husband permits himself to be dominated by his wife then he needs to discover the reason. When a wife rebels against her husbands wishes, just because she want her way, then she is out of step with the Lord. And with obedience should come humble honor. I don’t recommend it, but Sarah, Abraham’s wife, even went to the point of calling her husband “lord.” In today’s society, that would be a mistake, but it was not at all out of place back then.
The breakdown on this point is the cause of much of the trouble in our society. In more than forty years of ministry, I have found that 90% of all church trouble is caused by bossy wives. I have seen marriages destroyed which could have been saved, if the wife involved had honored her husband and obeyed God. And so many kids are bad because their parents are constantly at each other’s throats.
Husband love your wives. Wives honor your husbands. Wives look well to the ways of your household, as Achsah did. And why? Among other things “that your prayers be not hindered.” These things are essential to God-honoring Christian lives and Christian homes. God-honoring Christian lives and homes are necessary for the Lord’s blessing on His churches.