VOW: The Strong Tower – Proverbs 18:10

Verse of the Week

The name of the LORD is a strong tower;
The righteous runs into it and is safe.

Proverbs 18:10 NASB

Have you ever felt that all your best efforts at fighting the battles that inevitably come in life are failing and you don’t know what to do? Have you ever felt like all is lost and there is nowhere to turn? When your own strategies and strengths are depleted, what can you do?

TO THE KEEP!!

Hmmm? Say what?

In medieval times, castles were built with a tower fortress within their walls. It was the last line of defense if the walls were breached by the enemy. This refuge was known as the keep (Old English, kype).

In Old Testament times, fortified cities were also built with “keeps.” In Hebrew, these were called the migdal oz – the strong tower.

How does a migdal oz provide safety? It is the highest point inside the walls of the castle, fort or city. It provides a perfect vantage point from which to watch the approach and movements of the enemy. It provides tactical superiority because of the higher vantage point and impenetrable walls.

Why would the name of the LORD (Yehovah) be called a strong tower? How can we run into it and be safe? Joel 2:32a says, “And it shall come to pass that whoever calls on the name of the LORD shall be saved.” This verse is quoted twice in the New Testament (Acts 2:21; Romans 10:13).

There is an interesting passage in Exodus 23:20-23 where the LORD tells the people of Israel that an Angel (My Angel) will go before them to lead them to the promised land. They are to listen to and obey Him because “…My name is in Him.”

What? Who is this angel? This is not just any angel, but the Angel of the LORD — a Christophany (an Old Testament appearance of Christ). How is Yehovah’s name in Him? Jesus’s name in Hebrew is Yeshua. This is a theophoric name, common in Hebrew. A shortened form of the name Yehovah is either a prefix or suffix on a characteristic of God. In this case, Yehovah saves!

When we put our faith in Yeshua, our lives are hidden with Christ in God (Colossians 3:3). That fact puts us right in the middle of the strong tower! Ask the Father to give you His perspective from His exalted vantage point. Wield the weapons that His word provides. God’s got you, friend.

Live it out this Week

When you find yourself at the end of the proverbial rope, call on the name that provides safety, strength, and salvation—Yehovah. Call on Yeshua who saves to the uttermost (Hebrews 7:25) and whose strength is made perfect in our weakness (2 Corinthians 12:9). But don’t wait until you are dangling from the end of your rope, hanging on for dear life. Call upon Him at the first sign of trouble. Remember, “there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved.” (Acts 4:12)

Prayer

Father Yehovah, I run to the migdal oz of Your name. Save me from my futile efforts to save myself and from my ineffective ploys to control or fix my circumstances. You are my place of safety and refuge. I choose to run to You even before I find myself in trouble. Thank You for being my strong tower. In Yeshua’s name, Amen.

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For more information on the name of God (Yehovah), see my study, The Hidden Name of God.

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Image by Denny Franzkowiak from Pixabay