Springs, Both High and Low
7/18 Reading Portions: Judges 1; Acts 5; Jeremiah 14; Matthew 28
Online Bible Audio/Readings Links (ESV)
7/18 Reading Portions: Judges 1; Acts 5; Jeremiah 14; Matthew 28
Judges 1:15
And Caleb gave her the upper springs and the lower springs.
WATER
Caleb, one of God’s faithful spies (Num 13:30), declared that whoever attacked Kiriath-sepher and captured the land, will receive his daughter, Achsah, to take for a wife. Caleb’s nephew, Othniel, accepted the challenge, conquered the inhabitants, and claimed his prize. Achsah asked her husband to intercede on her behalf so she might receive a portion of her father’s property— an inheritance. Because they were in the south (Negeb), she asked for land with springs of water (Jud 1:15). Caleb gave her land with springs in the highlands and the lowlands. Like everything else in the Bible, there is meaning behind this narrative. This event presents the gospel of Jesus Christ. Caleb, a type of God the Father, promises a bride to the one who would go to war with the enemy of God. Othniel is a type of Jesus Christ, whose capture of the land reflects Christ’s victory on the cross (Matt 12:20) and the Lord’s defeat of Satan (Luke 10:18). Achsah is a type of the church, Christ’s bride (Eph 5:25), as we are Christ’s special inheritance. Achsah asking Othniel to intercede on her behalf for land reflects the church’s prayers for the promises of God as well as the intercessions of Christ (Heb 7:24-25) as our only Mediator (1 Tim 2:5). And finally, the gifting of land with two springs, upper and lower, represents the double portion of God’s gracious Spirit poured out upon Christ’s church, as it is written,
“If you then, who are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will the heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask Him!” Luke 11:13
Although there is a greater spiritual implication here, it doesn’t mean we don’t believe the recorded event was merely a story to illustrate spiritual truth. It actually happened, further indicating the blessed goodness in God’s sovereignty— in upper springs (spiritual insights) and lower springs (earthly reality). Hallelujah! What a Savior!
Our God abounds with gracious truth
And gives to those who ask—
That we produce the Spirit’s fruit
In life for ev’ry task.