Names are interesting. In essence, names are words on a page or vibrations of sound. They lack the firmness of hardened steel or thick concrete. The power of a name is in what or whom it represents. The reputation of a brand and the collective authority of a public office convey strength through their name. At first blush, today’s proverb seems a bit silly until you remember the power and strength a name can represent.
“The name of the Lord is a strong tower; the righteous run to it and are protected.” (Proverbs 18:10, CSB)
Where do you find safety? That’s the question this proverb answers. Some front their own name and reputation. Others on some collective tribalism. Some stand behind some variety of physical strength. All will fail in time. Kingdoms rise and fall. Reputations are easily ruined. And yet, “The name of the Lord is a strong tower; the righteous run to it and are protected.”
The proverb names the name. While our English translations say “the LORD,” that small all-caps is used for the Hebrew word YHWH. The name the Lord gave himself to Moses at the burning bush. “Then Moses asked God, “If I go to the Israelites and say to them, ‘The God of your ancestors has sent me to you,’ and they ask me, ‘What is his name?’ what should I tell them?” God replied to Moses, “I AM WHO I AM. This is what you are to say to the Israelites: I AM has sent me to you.” (Exodus 3:13–14, CSB)
During Jesus’ earthly ministry, He identified with the “I Am.” Several times in John’s Gospel Jesus declares “I am…” The bread of life, the resurrection and the life, the way, the truth, and the life, the good shepherd, the vine all help us understand who Jesus is. In a rebuke to the religious leaders, Jesus said, “Your father Abraham rejoiced to see my day; he saw it and was glad.” The Jews replied, “You aren’t fifty years old yet, and you’ve seen Abraham?” Jesus said to them, “Truly I tell you, before Abraham was, I am.” So they picked up stones to throw at him. But Jesus was hidden and went out of the temple.” (John 8:56–59, CSB)
Paul tell us, “For this reason God highly exalted him and gave him the name that is above every name, so that at the name of Jesus every knee will bow— in heaven and on earth and under the earth— and every tongue will confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.” (Philippians 2:9–11, CSB) We could paraphrase the proverb to say: “The name of Jesus is a strong tower; the righteous run to it and are protected.”
Who do you run to when life is difficult? People turn to all kinds of things on those days for comfort and protection. It’s a long list, and none of it changes anything. But those who follow Christ run to Jesus on those days. At His name every knee will bow, and we will find comfort, protection, and rest. The name of the Lord is a strong tower.
- Proverbs – Strong Tower - June 15, 2026
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