Pro 18:10 | KingComments | STEP | That “the name of the LORD is a strong tower” means that God is fully able to protect those who trust Him ( ; cf. ). The righteous need this because he lives in a world where the wicked are in control. The righteous person believes that his only safety is the Name of the LORD and therefore “runs into it”. The metaphor points to one of the attributes of God and that is His power to protect. The word “runs” describes undivided reliance on that protection. We take refuge in that Name when we are in need, or in uncertainty, and then go to Him in prayer ( ). We do so because we know He will receive us and provide the protection He promises to give to those who trust Him. “Safe” is literally “set on high” and is a military term emphasizing the effect for those who take refuge in that Name (cf. ). The strong tower is also a high tower. The righteous one is behind thick walls, preventing hostile weapons from striking him. He is also on a high wall and therefore raised above the attacks, so that hostile weapons cannot reach him. The enemy cannot pass through the wall, nor can he climb it. Rich people often assume that their property is their “strong city” that provides them with security ( ; cf. ). They thereby build their own “high wall” of safety. But their reliance on this is an illusion. This false safety contradicts the real safety that God’s Name provides ( ). The rich man expects from his wealth what the righteous man expects from his God. The first metaphor, the strong city, suggests protection from all outside attacks; the second metaphor, the high wall, expresses their thoughts of being invincible. Any protection that wealth can provide is extremely limited, both in terms of its strength and of its durability. Money can never guarantee absolute safety, unlike the Name of God that can do so ( ). Anyone who thinks that money can provide absolute safety is a true dreamer, someone outside the reality of life. The rich man of is the haughty man of , the man whose “heart ... is haughty”. His path ends in “destruction”. The way that leads to “honor”, is the way of “humility”. The haughty one finds all safety in himself. He boasts in his own ability to protect himself. It is the false assurance of not needing anyone and being able to stand up for himself and take care of himself. But one thing is certain and that is that he faces destruction. There is no protection for him. In contrast to this is “humility”, the realization that he cannot make it in his own strength, but depends on God. The humble takes refuge in the Name of God and will be honored by Him for it. The humiliation and glorification of the Lord Jesus is the clear example of this truth ( ; ). In this He is an example to all who follow Him in that way ( ).

‏ Proverbs 18:10

The True Safety and the False Safety

That “the name of the LORD is a strong tower” means that God is fully able to protect those who trust Him (Pro 18:10; cf. Psa 71:3). The righteous need this because he lives in a world where the wicked are in control. The righteous person believes that his only safety is the Name of the LORD and therefore “runs into it”.

The metaphor points to one of the attributes of God and that is His power to protect. The word “runs” describes undivided reliance on that protection. We take refuge in that Name when we are in need, or in uncertainty, and then go to Him in prayer (Isa 50:10). We do so because we know He will receive us and provide the protection He promises to give to those who trust Him.

“Safe” is literally “set on high” and is a military term emphasizing the effect for those who take refuge in that Name (cf. Psa 20:1). The strong tower is also a high tower. The righteous one is behind thick walls, preventing hostile weapons from striking him. He is also on a high wall and therefore raised above the attacks, so that hostile weapons cannot reach him. The enemy cannot pass through the wall, nor can he climb it.

Rich people often assume that their property is their “strong city” that provides them with security (Pro 18:11; cf. Job 31:24). They thereby build their own “high wall” of safety. But their reliance on this is an illusion. This false safety contradicts the real safety that God’s Name provides (Pro 18:10). The rich man expects from his wealth what the righteous man expects from his God. The first metaphor, the strong city, suggests protection from all outside attacks; the second metaphor, the high wall, expresses their thoughts of being invincible.

Any protection that wealth can provide is extremely limited, both in terms of its strength and of its durability. Money can never guarantee absolute safety, unlike the Name of God that can do so (1Tim 6:17). Anyone who thinks that money can provide absolute safety is a true dreamer, someone outside the reality of life.

The rich man of Pro 18:11 is the haughty man of Pro 18:12, the man whose “heart ... is haughty”. His path ends in “destruction”. The way that leads to “honor”, is the way of “humility”.

The haughty one finds all safety in himself. He boasts in his own ability to protect himself. It is the false assurance of not needing anyone and being able to stand up for himself and take care of himself. But one thing is certain and that is that he faces destruction. There is no protection for him.

In contrast to this is “humility”, the realization that he cannot make it in his own strength, but depends on God. The humble takes refuge in the Name of God and will be honored by Him for it. The humiliation and glorification of the Lord Jesus is the clear example of this truth (Isa 52:13-15 ; Isa 53:1-12; Phil 2:1-10). In this He is an example to all who follow Him in that way (Mt 23:12b).