Steve Sikes Blog  

There is always something new I learn when I re-read the Bible.  This past week I learned how to select mates for my daughters that is better than eHarmony.com!  Of course, one daughter doesn’t want a mate and the other is not ready to tie the knot, but when she’s ready…

Here’s Caleb’s one-item compatibility test for his future son-in-law: “I will give my daughter Acsah in marriage to the man who attacks and captures Kiriath Sepher.”  (Joshua 15:16; Judges 1:12)

Wow!  How do you get a son-in-law who already has the characteristics of being a leader of men, courageous in battle and willing and ready to fight for his future bride?  You tell him to go out and conquer an entire city and then come back and pick up his new wife! 

Notice what Caleb didn’t say: “Find a handsome lad who is popular and bring him home; find a wealthy young man who can support you in the way you are accustomed; or, find a young man who is a scholar or an athlete.”  No!  Caleb said, “I want a courageous warrior for my daughter!” 

In Caleb’s day, possessing ‘courage under fire’ stood for someone who was faithful to God’s commands and lived a life dependent on Him.  Now that’s the kind of man I want in the family! 

But the story doesn’t end there!  Othniel, Caleb’s new son-in-law, not only took the city, he became the first of 15 judges in leading God’s people!

All right, is there any young man out there ready to take on an entire city for God?  Whoops!  I almost forgot.  If I want an “Othniel” in the family, I’ll need to become more like a “Caleb”!  God is good.  Mr. Steve