“And it came to pass, as she came unto him, that she moved him to ask of her father a field: and she lighted from off her ass; and Caleb said unto her, What wilt thou?”
Context:The book of Joshua describes the division of the land of Canaan among the tribes of Israel after they crossed the Jordan River and entered the Promised Land. This particular verse is part of the account of the land allocation to the tribe of Judah.
Characters:The verse mentions several characters: “She”: Refers to Achsah, the daughter of Caleb, who was one of the leaders of the tribe of Judah. “Him”: Refers to Othniel, Achsah’s husband and the nephew of Caleb. “Caleb”: A faithful servant of God and one of the twelve spies sent by Moses to explore the land of Canaan.
Ach sah’s request:Achsah approached her husband Othniel and asked him to request a field from her father, Caleb. It is important to note that women in ancient times did not have the same rights and privileges as men, so Achsah’s action of approaching her husband and making this request shows her confidence and assertiveness.
Caleb’s response:Caleb, upon hearing Achsah’s request, inquires about her intentions, asking, “What wilt thou?” Caleb’s response indicates his curiosity and willingness to understand Achsah’s desire.
Symbolic significance:This passage holds some symbolic significance as well. Caleb, often associated with faithfulness and courage, serves as a type of God the Father. Achsah, symbolizing believers or the Church, approaches Caleb with her request. This can be seen as an analogy of believers coming to God with their petitions and desires.
Lessons we can learn:Confidence and assertiveness:Achsah’s actions demonstrate the importance of confidence and assertiveness in expressing our desires and needs. Open communication:Caleb’s response highlights the value of open communication within relationships. It is essential to understand each other’s intentions and desires. Approaching God:The symbolic aspect of the passage reminds us that we can approach God in prayer, just as Achsah approached Caleb. God is interested in our desires and concerns, and we can bring them to Him. Overall, this verse showcases Achsah’s assertiveness in making her request and Caleb’s willingness to listen and understand. It also reminds us of the importance of confidence, open communication, and approaching God with our desires and concerns in prayer.
