"When she got off her donkey, Caleb asked her, "What can I do for you?" She replied, "Do me a special favor. Since you have given me land in the Negev, give me also spring of water." So Caleb gave her the upper and lower springs." (Judges 1:14b-15 NIV)
We’ve flipped the page into Judges this morning. This book describes the time after Joshua has passed but the Israelites have failed to evict the Canaanites completely, despite God’s explicit warnings about idolatry and intermarriage. Throughout this time period, Israel was attempting (in their own strength and means) to live in a set apart nation by God’s leading. Spoiler: they were very, very bad at it. See, God intended Israel to a be a theocracy: a nation ruled by God. The country in this time period was governed by judges: regional political military leaders. But the people threw off restraint and attempted to govern themselves.
Right here in the first chapter, we find a beautiful model of the level of relationship God was desiring for His people. When Caleb’s beloved daughter, Aksah, presented a request. She and her new husband had been granted a parcel of land in the Negev. You may recall, though, that the Negev is a harsh and dry landscape. In order to survive, this young couple would require a water source.
No worries. Aksah realized her need and went straight to her father. She plainly presented her request: no ulterior motives, no manipulation, no batting of eyelashes or triangulation. She simply said “You have give me land in the Negev, give me also springs of water.”
The need was plain: dry land requires a well. And Caleb, being a good father, recognized her need and her belief in his ability to fulfill it. He gave her more than she asked for: both the upper and the lower springs.
This interaction between father and daughter reveals the design of our divine relationship. We are sons and daughters. (2 Corinthians 6:18) He gives everyone life and breath and everything else. (Acts 17:25) God has allotted us lands; He appoints the times and places that we live. (Acts 17:26) And He supplies all that we need. (Philippians 4:19) He knows the location-specific requirements we will inevitably have in our dwelling places. He stands, in His goodness, ready and willing to provide whatever we need when we come asking. Far moreso then a human dad, Father God delights in fulfilling our request.
We haven’t had more than a smattering of raindrops here since May and it shows.
God knows our need. He has designated the very zip code where we reside. Our requirements are not unanticipated. The springs are already in place, ready to be signed over into our keeping. The question is, will we draw near and ask in faith? Will we recognize God as our source and make our requests known to Him?
"The Lord is near. Do not be anxious about anything but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God." (Philippians 4:5b-6 NIV)
Aksah had alternative options. She could have gone about it a different way. She could have pestered her husband to construct a run-off system and cistern. She could have called her friends and begged them to bring wineskins of water. She could have gone to a neighboring country or a foreign god to meet her need. She could have sat down in the dust and dirt and wallowed in her misfortune. But she didn’t. She recognized her appointment to that particular square footage and she sought out her father’s aid for the means to fulfill her purpose therein.
What about us? Where do we go when the well runs dry and the rain doesn’t come? How do we handle it when the landscape isn’t quite what we had envisioned? What do we do when we lack what we require to thrive? Our good Father has precisely what we require already on hand, ready to release it into our care if we’ll only come to Him and ask in faith.
"You do not have because you do not ask God." (James 4:26b NIV)
Lord, please forgive us for griping about our lot or going to other sources to meet our needs. You are a good Father and we recognize both Your resources and Your generosity. We see that You long to lead us in this intimate, familial way. May we respond to You with affection, faith and loyalty. We have need and You are our source. We will not be dismayed. Amen.