Before I had even put pen to paper about Acsah, I posted a video of myself letting people know who was next on my list.
Little did I know the impact that these 5 verses (yes 5 verses) already had on a few of you.
The way I discover who is next on my list is pretty straight forward – absolutely no theology to it (however I am always chatting to God about it). I literally pick up my bible and start turning the pages from the woman I last wrote about. I was excited when I turned into the book of Judges as I have been keen for 2 years to discover and learn more about Deborah. I had heard Leanne Matthesius preach on her at Colour Conference back in 2020 and I was hooked. It was in that moment that I realised how little I actually knew about some of the women in the bible and this little blog was birthed.
Granted, life has had a way of throwing distractions up at me and my initial challenge to myself to do a woman a week was completely tossed out the writing window and I have learned to be kinder to myself!
(I digress!)
I looked down the page of Judges chapter 1 and see the title “Caleb and his daughter”. My unspoken rule to myself is to look at ALL women and see where the research takes me. So, I stopped and read. I quickly discovered that there is indeed only 5 verses and we never read about Acsah again.
Hang on……!
If you know me well – and some of you do – you know that this little quirk means I need to know more. I am not satisfied.
I have sat under some incredibly gifted bible teachers over my many years as a church goer, and I am the kind of person that soaks up details. I am incredibly drawn to historical information, context and geographical information.
Phil and I years ago attended a “How to write a sermon” course put on by our then pastor who was a man that knew how to write the details. He gave us the following tip. To help us kick off our writing, we should look at the following;
WHY – why is this passage here
WHERE – the context – look before, after, around.
WHO – who are the people involved and how do they relate to the ‘where and why’
WHAT – what is God telling us – search for His truth. If it is an Old Testament passage – can you see the links to the salvation story.
There is nothing in scripture that is there ‘just because’. It is ALL the inspired word of God and the whole story points to Jesus and redemption and Gods love for mankind.
So, when I saw these 5 verses I knew I wanted to know more. What is the meaning of Acsah and her actions? Why is this little passage squashed in between much lengthier passages about battles being fought?
It is clearly stated that Acsah is the daughter of Caleb. Caleb, only one of 2 (with Joshua) of the original generation with Moses that made it into the Promised Land because he could see and discern the goodness of God.
I imagine Caleb often shared the incredible stories about his life, the time he was a spy, the produce he saw, the excitement he felt. And perhaps even the sadness that so many of those he loved and had lived life with in the wilderness were not faithful enough to see Gods promise just waiting for them to claim it.
Acsah had a front row seat to her dad’s testimony.
There had been battles raging to rid the Promised Land of all those who wanted to claim her for themselves and God required them to be dealt with. Next on the list was a city named Debir. Caleb upped the stakes, finding a way to boost the morale of his men in the form of a lovely young woman (ahem – his very own daughter!)
I can’t help but picture a scene out of A Knights Tale !!
Acsah’s hand in marriage would be given to the man who attacked, captured and defeated the city of Debir!
Now, here is the part of the tale, our 2022 western cultured minds need to chill a bit. The man who ultimately wins the day is Othniel. A relative of Caleb!
Yep – Acsah’s uncle or cousin….(I think!)
Now, I did a little research here and I don’t really want to get bogged down in this stuff, but it looks a little like the 2 men had different fathers. If I read correctly, I believe Kenaz is Calebs brother and therefore Othniel is Acsah’s cousin.
The scriptures states in Numbers 32:12 that “…Caleb son of Jephunneh the Kenizzite” and that “Othniel son of Kenaz” Joshua 15v17.
Some commentaries believe it is written that Othniel is Calebs brother – but like I said – that’s getting bogged down in info most likely not the stuff to be held up on.
Regardless, Acsah would have known Othniel well and the match I can imagine would have been pleasing to her. She knew his character and that she was being given to an honourable, worthy man. One willing to obey the Lord.
From the text in verse 14, Acsah almost immediately requests something of Othniel. I like her. She isn’t spending time mucking around. She would have witnessed the frailty of life and was determined to start things off on the right foot.
She asked Othniel to go to her father and ask for a field. A field would mean security, income and a future.
Caleb asks her “what do you want?” I love how he asks her. He didn’t ask Othniel as her husband. He went to the one who had it on her heart to ask. He was a good father.
So, in verse 15 we read that Acsah answers him “do me a special favour. Since you have given me land in Southern Canaan, also give me springs of water”.
On doing some quick research (thanks be to Google!), the region of Southern Canaan was potentially quite varied. Possibly classified as arid. Years of drought tell me that without water, nothing you do will help you be prosperous in your land. If you have water, you are in a much better place to survive.
Acsah knew this and was already thinking forward of her future family, stock and fields of grain.
I don’t for a minute actually believe this was a deliberate oversight on the part of Caleb. I love the idea that he was a dad who loved his family passionately and wanted to make sure they were blessed. I think he may have been expecting the request – he knew Acsah well. He would have known her savviness, her thoughtfulness. I wonder if he was expectantly waiting the request.
So, in verse 15 “Caleb gave her ( and it clearly says ‘her’) both the upper and lower springs.
This is an incredible outpouring of love and blessing on Acsah. From a father to his daughter. He answered immediately and abundantly.
What can we learn from Acsah and her approach to the situation…
· Acsah knew her dad. Plain and simple. She knew him so well, that her confidence was evident. She was able to almost determine his response.
· Because of this, Acsah did not need to beg, plead, explain or justify her request
· Acsah was not silly. She knew she had a mind and voice and she used it effectively.
· She was wise and knowledgeable in business.
· She trusted her father and made the request in the end herself. She did not request through her husband. She was a wife yes – and that comes with certain Godly principles but she is also a woman and a child of Caleb – that doesn’t end when she married.
How much is all of this an example of how we can approach our Heavenly Father. Like the words written in Matthew 7v9, “Which of you if your son asks for bread, gives him a stone? Or if he asks for a fish, will you give him a snake? If you then though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give good gifts to those who ask Him?”
Yes, sometimes our prayers are not answered as quickly or in the way WE would like, but I believe our prayers are ALWAYS answered. Even a ‘no’ or a ‘not at the moment’ are answers. The more we know about our Father, the greater the trust we naturally will have in the answer.
Like Acsah watching Caleb lead a nation with wisdom and confidence she grew in those things as well and she ultimately knew the core of who her father was as a man.
Its evident she KNEW him, she didn’t just KNOW ABOUT him.
The more we too know our God the greater we can see His faithfulness in our lives. It then becomes natural to put our faith and trust in Him.
Knowing God to me looks like leaning in, watching for details, seeing the heart behind the message, asking questions, growing daily, being challenged, sometimes being disciplined and admonished and of course being forgiven without condemnation. That’s how we KNOW. That’s how, I believe Acsah knew.
I have enjoyed the conversations I have had with people about Acsah (Calebs little anklet). I’m so glad I stumbled into her story. Phil and I have changed up the way we pray this week to reflect what I have been chatting to him about. (He is my audience for each new woman I read about!!!). We are being confident, bold and grateful for things already given. We have said thankyou but we would like more. We can see what we believe we need to grow and be prosperous. We have asked for favour and blessing upon our business.
I encourage you to read the 5 verses in Judges 1 for yourself and ask what Acsah and her request means to you.
Xxx
Toni
(FWFL)
Oh – before I go….this is the only mention of Acsah in scripture – but not her man! Turn the page to Judges 3v7 and we read that Othniel was appointed Israel’s first Judge! He was a good man that one!
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