Joshua 15 is a long chapter filled with lots of references to the lands that Joshua and Caleb were taking. We see Caleb taking a much more active role in leading now, and leading the charge in taking the land. He overcomes some of the ancestors of Anak, who you may recall were the giants. Caleb uses a specific tactic as an incentive by offering his daughter in marriage to the person who “attacks Kiriath Sepher and takes it”. So Caleb’s brother Othniel took it and received has daughter Acsah as his wife. Acsah asked her daddy Caleb for a wedding gift – and requested some “pools of water” to help make growing things much easier. Not the normal request, but certainly a wise one.
The balance of the chapter describes the towns and villages of the new land. There are dozens of them that God has given to the Israelites. Can you imagine the daily change in their lives. Waking up in the morning and wondering who we will conquer today? Do you wake up each day wondering about that? Asking God how He wants to expand your territory today? God is about using us to take territory for Him. It may not be in terms of property or land, but it is definitely in areas like influence and relationships that lead to the saving of souls. God uses us to take territory from the enemy – not seen like in the days of Joshua and Caleb – but an enemy none the less that is resisting the advance of God’s kingdom. We are His chosen warriors charged with doing battle. We don’t have to win the battle – God will do that. But we do need to show up and go to the battle. Are you waking up each day seeking God’s direction on where you should take ground for Him?
