Caleb’s faith and ability to take action

Joshua already had given Caleb the land of Kiriath-arba (Hebron) as his inheritance before the casting of the lot for the distribution of the land. This was according to Caleb’s request. At 85 years old, he conquered the land as promised. It says in Verse 14, “Caleb drove out from there the three sons of Anak: Sheshai and Ahiman and Talmai, the children of Anak.” Though, in his old age, Caleb was healthy and acted confidently. Let’s pray to the Lord that we, too, may have the same faith and ability to take action as Caleb. We especially should pray that we can remain diligent in valuable work even in our last days.

Two springs

Next, Caleb moved to take the city of Debir. (1) Before taking the city, he promised that he will give his daughter, Achsah, as wife to whoever captured the city. (2) To be married to the daughter of Caleb, one of the elders of the tribe of Judah, meant to receive great honor. It also meant that he could expect a great bridal payment, as well as to inherit the city of Debir. (3) It was Othniel, Caleb’s younger brother (who became the first judge), who captured the city, so he received Achsah as his wife. (4) Othniela and Achsah requested Caleb and received two springs. Achsah said to her father, “Give me a blessing; since you have given me the land of the Negev, give me also springs of water.” As a result, she received the upper springs and the lower springs. The land of Negev was fertile but lacked water. It is impossible to thrive without a spring. We, too, should seek a rich spring, a spring that blesses us materially (lower spring), and a spring that blesses us spiritually (upper spring). Our Father in heaven will give to those who seek. “[…]You do not have because you do not ask. You ask and do not receive, because you ask with wrong motives, so that you may spend it on your pleasures” (James 4:2–3).