Do Me A Special Favor

"...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 springs of water.' So Caleb gave her the upper and lower springs." -Judges 1:13-14

Aksah was Caleb’s only daughter. The meaning of names were very important, and he named her Aksah which means "Jewel." In his eyes, she was “Daddy’s Jewel,” a treasure worth much, but the custom for inheritance was different for daughters. She received a piece of the land because Caleb promised “to the man who attacks and captures Kiriath Sepher,” he would give a piece of the land as a dowry and his daughter in marriage.

The Blessed man, who won was Othniel. Aksah, as we can read from the story, went to her dad. To understand the great significance to this story, the custom of gifting to daughters was jewelry and/or money, never land. She received land. Of course, the land was received by the courageous act of her husband. In reality, it wasn’t a gift to her. I have no proof, but I can’t help but wonder, did Caleb set it up so the man, who married his daughter, would be able to take care of his treasured jewel? Just a question I’m pondering. Her husband became a judge and was considered a Godly man. He was honorable in his own way.

Aksah is my kind of woman. If I lived in that time frame, she would be my friend. She did something unusual and bold. She went to her dad to ask him for more land, a land that had springs. This time, her husband didn’t have to go get it or fight for it, or put in any kind of danger. She took the donkey, and when she got to her dad, she got off the donkey, approaching him. She told him about the land he already gave respectfully and asked for a special favor.

You see Aksah was respectful, grateful, and wise. She knew desert land was nothing to brag about, but she still was gracious about it. By asking her dad for a special favor, she knew exactly what she was doing. Like I said, she is my kind of a woman. She was confident, self-assured, and intelligent. For her husband to be successful, they needed water. Any land with water is always more valuable. They now would be able to grow things.

Interestingly, Caleb had cut to the chase and asked, “What can I do for you?” Right here you can see the love between a father and his daughter. I understand that. When I was young, I would sit at the stairs waiting for my dad to come home. I wanted money to go shopping. My dad knew what I wanted. When he arrived from work, and he found me sitting on the steps, with that look on my face, and he would ask me, “How much do you need?”

Aksah didn’t waste time. She reminded him of the land he had given her, but she needed springs of water. Obviously to be successful, she needed irrigation, and not only did Caleb grant her request, but he also doubled what she asked for. He gave her the upper and lower springs. Go, Aksah, Go! My dad always bought me more than the clothes. I would tell him the price of the dress, and I never shopped in places that were cheap. My dad knew I had an appointment to the clothing store. He knew those ladies would not only sell me dress, but also there were always matching shoes and purse, I would need for my outfit. So, like Caleb, my dad always gave me more money to complete the whole outfit.

I believe Aksah watched her dad. I believe she saw how he boldly asked Joshua for the mountain. I believe she learned boldness, courage, confidence, and strategic planning from her dad. She asked the same way her dad asked of Joshua. Let me be clear, what we do, how we act, what we say is being observed by our children. Wether you realize it or not, our children are watching, and they behave the same way. Be alert, and teach for success in their lives, and those who follow. Be strong in raising men and women who will succeed in the calling they have -good character and integrity. Modeling and showcasing faith, trust, love, and hope in God that will do more then they can imagine.

Personally, this story has taught me very much. One thing that stands out to me is how to approach our Heavenly Father. He desires to bless us, honor us, and grant us our desires. We can boldly go before Him with holy boldness, confidence, and expectancy that what we ask according to His will shall be granted.

Today, be bold! Be confident! Be wise! Be strong! Bring to Him your request, believing He will do more then what you can imagine. God is not like man. For those of us who have good dads, this concept is easy to understand. Our dads love us, they give more then we ask. Imagine a God that can give what no dad is able to give. Make your request known to Him, being thankful and grateful for what He has already done for you, and watch the pouring of blessings He showers on YOU, His precious child.

Dr. Teresa Allissa Citro

INSIGHT: Our God is a good, good God, and He hears your every request. What do you need? What are your desires? When you delight yourself in the Lord, He grants you the desires of your heart. When you take delight in God, you are taking pleasure in the God of your Salvation and in His ways, meditating on His law, being joyous in His presence and desiring to hear His voice. When you come before Him with a willing heart, calling out or crying out to Him, you are drawing from the well of your salvation. You are His child, and He rejoices over you... HIS CHILD. Your God loves you so much, He rejoices over you, and HE ALSO delights in you. What are you seeking Him for?

MEDITATION: "And this is the confidence that we have toward him, that if we ask anything according to his will he hears us. And if we know that he hears us in whatever we ask, we know that we have the requests that we have asked of him." (1 John 5:14-15) God wants you to come to Him in all things. He wants to hear your concerns and your desires. He wants to hear about your day. He desires to hear you, to have that communion with you to be involved in every aspect of your life. Your Heavenly Father wants to talk with you, and He wants to grant you the desires of your heart. Like Aksah approached her father, Caleb, with respect and with confidence, you can approach God. You can boldly and respectfully come before God, knowing He is your Father who has the best in store for you, and has made all He has available to you. Whatever you need from your Heavenly Father, He is willing to give you in accordance with His will. He is The God Who Hears You and The God Who Rejoices Over You.

PRAYER: Abba, thank You for being my Heavenly Father, for being the God Who Hears Me, for being the God Who Rejoices Over Me. Your Word says I can come boldly before Your throne, and Lord, You are my Confidence. Thank You for giving me the privilege to be able to come into Your presence. Father, You see the deepest desire of my heart, and I lay that desire before You, trusting Your heart for me. My confidence and trust is in You alone. Thank You for granting me the desire of my heart and meeting me at my need. In Jesus' Name, Amen.

Linda A. Knowles

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