Proverbs 18:10-11

These two verses discuss true and false security.

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

11 The wealth of the rich is their strong city;
in their imagination it is like a high wall.

In our day and age, what objects symbolize security and protection?

TOWER. Nearly all of the fifty Old Testament references to towers are literal, picturing a physical means of protection. This shows how important the building of towers was to ancient city planning (Ryken et al. 881). Often built into the walls, the tower served as an observation post, a superior defensive position from which to repel assaults, and a secure refuge in time of attack (see Judges 9:46–52). Because of the protection it offered, it would likely be the last structure in the city to fall into enemy hands (Lennox 184). Have you ever experienced God’s watchful eye, defense, and security?

THE NAME OF THE LORD is equivalent to the Lord himself (Reyburn and Fry 387). Yahweh’s nature as revealed in creation and in Israel’s history means security (Lennox 184). It is in God’s character to save and protect. What is the significance of a name? What is its significance biblically?

THE RIGHTEOUS. In this context, “the righteous” are people who trust in the Lord (Reyburn and Fry 387). In what areas of your life do you trust God completely, and in what areas is there less trust?

RUN implies urgency and exclusivity; the righteous rely only on Yahweh and no one else. Only the righteous will seek entry, for all others will shrink from God’s holy ways (Lennox 184). When a problem or crisis occurs, how quickly do you go to God?

ARE SAFE. The Hebrew word means “set aloft, be on high” (Futato and Schwab 573). Those who trust in God are moved out of harm’s way and are safe from attack. God is their hiding place (Reyburn and Fry 387). In contrast with verse 11, Yahweh is the only real source of security (Garrett 165).

THE WEALTH OF THE RICH IS THEIR STRONG CITY. Though wealth is more desirable than poverty and does help keep a person from disaster, money cannot replace the Lord as a base of security (Walvoord et al. 944). How do you know when your trust is in God or in something else?

IN THEIR IMAGINATION. The danger of wealth is that it gives its possessor the illusion of greater security than it can provide (Garrett 165). The security of wealth is illusory. The wealthy think that their wealth can protect them from harm, but they are wrong. Money simply cannot shield people from many problems (Walvoord et al. 944). What kind of things does money not buy?