Joshua 14 recorded how Caleb went to Joshua demanding land for himself. Thus, chapter 15 recorded all the land allocated to Judah, the tribe to which Caleb belonged. The most exciting part of the record was concerning land allocation to Caleb.

Caleb demanded Hebron because he wanted to prove that he was right 45 years ago when he was a spy, saying there was no fear of the giants as God would protect them. At 85, he wanted to prove that God could use him to drive out the giants, so he opted for Hebron. In Joshua 15, Caleb drove out the three Anakites – Sheshai, Ahiman and Talmai- proving he was right.

From Hebron, he marched on to Debir. However, he did not choose to attack Debir himself. Instead, he promised if anyone could conquer Debir, he would give his daughter to the man in marriage. Do not think that he used his daughter as bait. He wasn’t. Since he could fight the Anakites, he could also fight Debir. So why did he make the offer? Most theologians believe that he had in mind Othniel. The proposal was said in public but was explicitly meant for Othniel. It was a chance for Othniel to prove himself. Indeed, Othniel did not let him down. He managed to capture the city.

What follows was interesting. Caleb’s daughter, Acsah, urged Othniel to ask for land from Caleb. Why, there was no need. Othniel would get land through his father. The couple asking for land from Caleb would make them like one of Caleb’s sons. Perhaps Acsah wanted her husband to be like a son to Caleb, the great man, so that he would be great too. True enough, according to Judges, Othniel became the 1st judge of Israel.

However, from Caleb’s perspective, he would not want to steal his son-in-law from his lawful father. So he gave Othniel a piece of land without water so that the couple would still have to stay on the land given by Othniel’s father. Then we saw Acsah went to her father again to ask for springs of water. The act spoke clearly of the couple’s determination to be with Caleb. Thus, Caleb gave them both the upper and lower springs.

This is such a beautiful love story within a family. How I wish my family were also filled with such love relationships.

Pray: Lord, teach me to love one another with that sacrificial love. In every decision, I always first consider others before myself. Thank you, Lord. In Jesus' name, we pray, Amen.