A Strong Tower
“The name of the Lord is a strong tower; the righteous run to it and are safe.” Proverbs 18:10
My daughters just visited the Grand Canyon and brought home some incredible pictures of The Desert View Watchtower. I have to say here that I am fascinated with archaeology, and I am aware of the fact that there are ancient watchtowers not only in the Old World, but here in North America as well. This particular watchtower at the Grand Canyon was modeled after the towers in Mesa Verde, Colorado and Hovenweep near Aneth, Utah. These amazing rock structures were thought to be built by the ancient Anasazi Indians.
The structures shown above in Hovenweep National Park were used as living quarters, storage areas, and defense towers.
In Mesa Verde National park the towers are square and round…
Round Tower by Ansel Adams, 1941
Click on this link Desert View Watchtower to see a video explaining about the design and building of the watchtower at the Grand Canyon.
Photos of Desert View Watchtower by Sage and Tera
In the Old World strong towers were built for protection…
“These towers – built by individual families to safeguard valuable plots of farmland – were once a common sight along the hills of ancient Galilee, Samaria, and Judea.” ~ Nazareth Village
Here is a stunning lithograph of an ancient strong tower in Petra by artist David Roberts…
So, we see that strong towers were built to protect and defend from enemies, to give comfort and aid, to store valuable crops, and to have a view for miles around, so as to be prepared for whatever may happen.
My daughters said it was freezing cold outside when they were at the Grand Canyon. It had just snowed the previous night and the wind was blowing intensely. When they entered the tower, it protected and shielded them from the strong winds and the bitter cold.
Back to the scripture…”The name of the Lord is a strong tower; the righteous run to it and are safe.”
“The metaphor suggests a righteous man running into an immensely fortified tower being elevated high above the surrounding danger.” ~ John J. Parsons
The Name of the Lord is a Strong Tower…that means it is protection and defense from enemies. It is comfort and aid. It is a valuble storehouse of spiritual food. It gives us eyes to see all around us and enables us to be prepared for whatever may befall us. It is the Rock, and our Shield and Defense. Let’s run to it and take hold of this truth.
“And it shall come to pass, that whosoever shall call on the name of the Lord shall be saved.” Acts 2:21
You can read more about the Name of the Lord at Hebrew for Christians
Thank you for bringing my tower experience even more to life. What a wonderful refuge we have in our Father, in His Name Yahweh…I'm so thankful you brought me up in that tower!
I so enjoyed this posting, Karin. And your prayer for prodigals. I learned a few new things this morning, and you have helped me apply it to my heart.The comment from your daughter, Tera, meant so much to me, too. Thank you, Lord! (By the way, I have been following the girls' travels via Sisters Four..I love it!!)Thank you so much for your ministry, Karin. Wish I could come and spend some time with you, gleaning what the Lord has taught you in your prodigal journey!Blessings!Kim Wright