Judges 1:8-15 – Let’s advance with God

The Judah-Simeon coalition had successfully captured Adoni-Bezek and defeated the combined force of 1o,000 men, comprising of Canaanites and Perizzites. Continuing with the campaign, the two tribes went about victoriously capturing Jerusalem and Hebron and Debir. Here are a few highlights from what had taken place from verses 8-15. Firstly, we are told in verse 8 that they captured Jerusalem and set it on fire after destroying the inhabitants of that city. Then they went against Hebron, previously known as Kiriath-abar. In the book of Joshua 15:13-15, we are told that Caleb was the one who had driven the inhabitants away from there. Here in the book of Judges, Hebron was seen to be totally defeated. Three names, Sheshai, Ahiman and Talmai, are mentioned. They were the three sons of Anak, the giants seen by the spies whom Moses sent into Canaan. Here we are specifically told that these three sons were destroyed. Caleb from the tribe of Judah was credited for this victory for he was the one who was given Hebron by Joshua. He claimed the land and drove out the inhabitants there. Though he was credited for the success, here Hebron is said to have been fully overcome by the Judah-Simeon campaign.

Secondly, verses 11-15 speak about Othniel’s conquest of Debir, a place previously known as Kiriath-sepher. Who is this Othniel? He was the son of Kenaz, Caleb’s younger brother. Caleb made an offer of Achsah’s hand in marriage to the one who could capture Debir. Othniel took up his uncle’s challenge and successfully took Debir. Thus, he was given the hand of Achsah in marriage. The daughter was not an ordinary person. She was not only shrewd but also had foresight. She then encouraged Othniel, her husband, to ask Caleb her father for a field in addition to Debir. Caleb eventually not only gave Othniel and Achsah the field in the Negev but also the lower and upper springs at the request of his daughter. This account was given likely to set up Othniel’s appropriateness for the role as the first judge and deliverer. By the time he became a judge, he already achieved the status of a hero and thus was fit for that role.

Caleb, Othniel and Achsah are three lives with the passion to advance. They were people who dared to take the challenge to advance. Caleb asked for the mountains when he was 80 plus years old. Othniel dared to accept the challenge of his uncle to win the hand of Caleb’s daughter. Achsah dared to boldly ask for more from her father. Their adventurous spirit is worthy of our emulation in our spiritual quest. We must not rest on our laurel, spiritually speaking, no matter how advanced we feel we have come with the Lord. There are always areas in our life we need to do better for the Lord. In our sanctification journey, let us keep pressing on. Let us aim to reach the height in the high calling to which Christ has called us to. Like Paul let us continue to press towards the mark of the upward call of God. Let’s keep on advancing!