By Rev. Ralph A. Pontier, referenced in Winter 2010
The Old Testament book of Judges contains a little known love story – that of Othniel and Acsah. It is part of the story of the conquest of the land of Canaan when Joshua led God’s people into the Promised Land. It reads: 
From there they went against the inhabitants of Debir. (The name of Debir was formerly Kirjath Sepher.) 12 Then Caleb said, “Whoever attacks Kirjath Sepher and takes it, to him I will give my daughter Achsah as wife.” 13 And Othniel the son of Kenaz, Caleb’s younger brother, took it; so he gave him his daughter Achsah as wife. 14 Now it happened, when she came to him, that she urged him[a] to ask her father for a field. And she dismounted from her donkey, and Caleb said to her, “What do you wish?” 15 So she said to him, “Give me a blessing; since you have given me land in the South, give me also springs of water.” And Caleb gave her the upper springs and the lower springs. Judges 1:11-15
Although this story is not well known, the divine Author of Scripture saw fit to include it twice, both in Judges and in Joshua 15. The setting is a city called Debir, located near the Canaanite stronghold of Hebron. Debir means “word” and its other name, Kiriath Sepher, means “city of books”. It was a library city, a city of important records. To destroy Debir would be to destroy one of the foundations of Canaanite culture – a culture God had judged worthy of obliteration, in part because it practiced child sacrifice.
Caleb was one of two faithful spies sent out by Moses. Ten other spies had put fear in the hearts of Israel and made them want to go back to Egypt. Caleb and Joshua were the only two who encouraged the Israelites to enter the land. Because the Israelites were frightened by reports of giants, they rebelled against God. For their lack of faith, God made them wander 40 years in the desert. When Caleb finally got to enter and take his allotted share, he chose Hebron, the land of the giants.
By faith, Caleb conquered Hebron and slew the giants. Caleb’s faith was remarkable considering he was not an Israelite but a Kenizzite, a descendent of Moses’ father-in-law. His presence in Israel was a sign of the grace of God, foreshadowing the later inclusion of believing Gentiles among God’s people.
After conquering Hebron, Caleb turned to Debir. Here he saw an opportunity to find a suitable husband for his daughter. His offer to give her to who ever would conquer Debir was a perceptive plan. He would not only get help conquering his inheritance, but also a worthy husband for his daughter. Debir was well fortified and could not be conquered easily. To be able to conquer such a foe, one would not only have to be brave and strong but also trust and rely on the Lord.
Othniel loved Acsah and was willing to risk his life to win her hand. Inspired by love and trusting God’s promises, he defeated God’s enemy and won his bride. No medieval dragon slayer ever fought harder to win a royal bride. This love story is an emblem of the Gospel, for it was the Greater Othniel who, for love, gave His life to destroy an even greater foe and win His holy bride, the Church. He destroyed a foe whose lying words are the foundation of a culture increasingly opposed to what God has revealed as holy.
The similarities of this love story to the Gospel of God’s love do not end with the victor winning his bride through the defeat of an enemy. The son-in-law obtained from the father a potentially fruitful inheritance though it lacked water. So they went to her father and she asked for water. He gave abundantly, eager to enrich her. So too the heavenly Father stands ready to enrich those who ask Him. The Bible says, “If you ... know how to give good gifts ..., how much more will your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him!” Luke 11:13. The Holy Spirit is the water of life, springing up in believers, enabling them to be fruitful in their inheritance from God, secured by Jesus through the defeat of their enemy, Satan.
The Bridegroom who gave His life to obtain us as His bride, obtaining for us a glorious heritage and showering us with the riches of God’s grace, now calls us to show forth His love by deeds of love and kindness to all who are in need. His apostle writes, “Let them do good, that they be rich in good works, ready to give, willing to share” 1 Timothy 6:18.
Rev. Ralph Pontier is pastor of Emmanuel Reformed Church in Neerlandia, Alberta.