We are introduced to a fearless girl in the Old Testament named Achsah. Her story is not long or what might be seen as remarkable but the lesson that can be learnt from her bravery is not to be ignored.
Achsah was Caleb’s daughter. Caleb being one of twelve spies
sent by Moses, in obedience to God’s command, to investigate the land of
Canaan. While ten spies came back with a negative report filled with fear and
dread, Joshua and Caleb had a completely different perspective and delivered a
faith-filled report (see Numbers 13).
For his act of bravery, Caleb was given land of his
choosing, however the land he chose was already occupied. He proceeded to
remove its occupants.
It’s no wonder that Achsah would demonstrate similar fearlessness
as her father Caleb; their story is recounted in Joshua 15:13-19.
Caleb said, “I will give
Achsah my daughter in marriage to whoever strikes Kiriath-sepher and captures
it.” So Othniel son of Kenaz, Caleb’s brother, captured it, and Caleb gave
him Achsah his daughter in marriage. (v 16-17 CEB)
In those days it was not uncommon for a father to offer his
daughter in marriage as a reward. This is exactly what Caleb had done and it
was his brave nephew who won Achsah’s hand in marriage.
Now when she arrived, she
prodded Othniel into asking for a field from her father. (v 18a
CEB)
We aren’t told the reason why Othniel did not comply to his
wife’s prodding but from the second part of this verse, we see that Achsah did
the asking, not Othniel.
For a female to approach her father with a request was unheard of but from the time Achsah arrived Caleb obviously knew that she had something to ask because immediately he said to her, “What do you want?”
The fearless girl, no longer astride her donkey, said to her
father,
“Give me a blessing. Since
the land you’ve given me is in the arid southern plain, you should also give me
springs of water.” So he gave her the upper springs and the lower springs. (v
19 CEB)
Now that is a bold request. Achsah didn’t plead or beg,
instead she approached her father with respectful confidence and made her
request known to him, and her father honoured her request.
Achsah and Othniel were given land but there was still a
need as the land was located in the Negev desert (see Judges 1:15), so water
would have been a necessary requirement. Achsah did not murmur, complain or
gripe, she got off her high “horse” and fearlessly asked her father to fulfil her
need.
Beloved, Apostle Paul says this,
Do not fret or have
any anxiety about anything, but in every circumstance and in
everything, by prayer and petition (definite requests), with thanksgiving,
continue to make your wants known to God. – Philippians 4:6 (AMPC)
Notice that Achsah didn’t ask for just water but springs of
water, which would ensure a consistent supply. She was very definite in her
request to her father and so should we to our Father.
Notice too that in answer to her need, Caleb gave her more
than she asked for, her blessed her with the upper and lower springs. Her need
was fulfilled far beyond her expectations.
Beloved, though Achsah’s story can easily be overlooked, it is
yet another beautiful lesson of how your heavenly Father treats with his
children that lies hidden within the pages of the bible. Know that you can fearlessly
approach your Father through prayer, making your definite requests known while
thanking Him for all that He has already done and for all that’s to come.
Amen †
Shelley Johnson “The Fearless Girl” © October 12, 2025