MARRIAGE IN THE LORD
[p. 8] MARRIAGE IN THE LORD
We have here the first mention of a marriage in Israel after they had entered the land — not that I wish to dwell on that particular side of things-but rather the spiritual significance it has for us at the present moment.
Certain conditions were presented to the one who could have the right to take to wife Achsah, the daughter of Caleb. Such a one must smite and take Kirjath-Sepher (the city of the book). Othniel comes before us in the Scripture as an overcomer. It says, he took it and Caleb gave him Achsah. It is well to take account of this. No one should consider taking up the position of headship to another unless he is an overcomer. Othniel took the city of the book, that is, he overcame all that pertained to him naturally. This world’s wisdom, natural relationships, etc., while having their place, must be subordinate to that which is spiritual and held in relation to the sphere which headship assumes. No one has any right to take the place of headship to another unless he is prepared to refuse every worldly influence. No such influence should be allowed to touch the vessel of which he is head. We get a striking example of this in Othniel. While this is primarily a picture of Christ and the assembly, it applies to every marriage relationship taken up in the Lord.
The account given in judges is not quite on the same level as that in Joshua; there it is rather the conqueror going triumphantly through — here it would be more on the line of continued conflict and conquest, not finality but steadily holding that position.
How encouraging for our young brother this evening in the new relationship he has taken up! Then for our sister, too, we have a beautiful type in Achsah of a vessel in subjection. As she came, she “urged him to ask” — what an incentive this would be to a brother to have a wife who urged him to pray! She would bring all her influence to bear to help him to become a man of prayer — although in quiet subjection to the principle of headship.
[p. 9] This is how a married sister may take the lead, in urging her husband to pray.
“She sprang down from the ass”. Spiritual energy is indicated here, desire for further blessing. She had already experienced the joy of possessing the south land. She did not ask for more land. She did not need it.
When Othniel had conquered the “city of the book” it became the “city of the word” to him. The Word speaks of Christ. When God gave Christ He gave all, there is nothing to be added. Achsah knew this, she has spiritual discernment, so she asks for springs of water. She knew that the land would become barren and unfruitful apart from the supply of springs of water. It is possible for our inheritance to become dry and unyielding to us apart from the living springs of water in the Spirit. He alone can enable us to enjoy to the full our inheritance in Christ. Hence what privileges a sister may take up. Here is Achsah urging her husband to pray, seeking further blessing on territory already gained and receiving a full response.
In the case of Rebecca — rather a different setting — the vessel loses herself entirely in another, covers herself even from her head, and goes out of sight. But in Achsah, while she maintains perfect subjection, she moves forward in active affection in the energy of the Spirit. “And Caleb gave her the upper springs and the lower springs”; the upper springs would suggest the region of the Spirit, where divine operations are continually carried on, and the lower springs would speak to us of the affections of the brethren, that circle of love where our spirits are so oft refreshed.
May our beloved young brother and sister know something in their new pathway of these experiences, the upper springs for spiritual wealth, the lower springs for mutual comfort and help amongst the Lord’s people.
A Word given at a Marriage Meeting