The English teacher in me is delighted with the imagery in
Proverbs 18. There are deep waters,
bubbling brooks, and choice morsels.
There’s an “offended brother” who is ”more unyielding than a fortified
city” (v 19). Who knew the gift of wisdom
included creative writing skills?
Here’s what I see as one of the best word pictures in this
chapter: “The name of the Lord is a
strong tower; the righteous run to it and are safe” (v 10).
There’s so much wrapped up in that one verse. It’s pretty easy to understand the main
point, that God will protect us and help us when we are in trouble. David used the image of the Lord as a place
of safety many times when he was being pursued by his enemies. Here’s one example: “He is my loving God and my fortress, my
stronghold and my deliverer, my shield, in whom I take refuge…” (Psalm 144:2).
But here’s the really cool thing about the phrase “strong
tower.” In biblical times, the towers on
city walls were the strongest points of defense. They were 15-50 feet high and might have
walls 12 feet thick. When a city was
under attack, the people could run into the tower for protection. And it was a pretty safe place to be. There’s a great story about this in Judges 9:50-53. A leader named Abimelek
attacked the city of Thebez; “inside the city, however, was a strong tower, to which all the
men and women—all the people of the city—had fled. They had locked themselves
in and climbed up on the tower roof.” Abimelek planned to set the tower on fire,
but when he got close, someone “dropped an upper millstone on his head.” The people were safe and the enemy was
defeated.
So
how does all of this apply to you and me today?
There’s no army advancing past the Space and Rocket center, and I certainly
don’t happen to own a millstone. But we
are under attack- from temptation and disappointment, from fear and doubt. We’re attacked by worries and concerns- those
are huge! Though I hate to admit it, I
worry every day. But if I will run to
the Lord, he will protect me from all of these things. I’ll be safe.
How
has the Lord been a strong tower to you and your family?
Many
blessings,
Shannon
Clark
Worship
Ministry Admin
I have been attacked many times in my life - emotionally, mentally and spiritually - and when I remember to run to Jesus in those times and not anyone or anything else, I am comforted, strengthened, encouraged, helped and upholded by his righteous right hand (Isaiah 41:10).
ReplyDeleteGrace & Peace, Stephen
I loved learning more specifics about all the term "strong tower" meant to the people who were originally reading and writing the Proverbs - I'd never heard most of that before!
ReplyDeleteMy "strong tower" has always been the different perspective God gives me when I'm actively pursuing my relationship with him. It doesn't take very much seeking to be reminded that his good plan for all of us is much bigger than any of my stresses and problems. Thanks Shannon!