The Fearless Girl

 

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