Chapter 6
I AM the Apple of His Eye
Zechariah 2:8 says, " ... for he that toucheth you toucheth the apple of His eye." In those days, the apple of your eye was believed to be the iris or pupil of the eye. If someone accidentally touches the center of your eye, it's quite uncomfortable, even painful, and so the eyelid protects it. The Biblical imagery is that God is the eyelid who protects all believers who are the apple of His eye. Over time, the phrase "the apple of my eye," has evolved to mean a person who is cherished above all others, just as our eyes and eyesight are cherished. If you have children, I'm sure they are "the apple of your eye." You would do anything for your children, even give up your own life to protect them. In Zechariah 2:8, the Lord was promising to protect Israel from danger and harm, and that promise extends to us as well today.
In Psalm 17:8, David prayed, "Keep me as the apple of the eye, hide me under the shadow of thy wings." I think David asked for this because he had read in Deuteronomy 32:10-12, regarding Jacob, "... He (God) led him (Jacob) about, He instructed him, He kept him as the apple of His eye. As an eagle stirreth up her nest, fluttereth over her young, spreadeth abroad her wings, taketh them, beareth them on her wings, so the Lord alone did lead him.” David understood that Jacob was the apple of God's eye and protected, so he wanted the same for himself.
In those days, the way to be the apple of God's eye was to keep the commandments. Now no one can be totally righteous, just, or blameless - because since the fall of Adam no man has been free from sin except Jesus. But some were counted as righteous, just, and blameless before Jesus because of the way they lived by faith and because of their sincere desire to do God's will.
Today we have an advantage over the Old Testament saints. We have Jesus. All we have to do to become a member of this elite group of people who are the apple of God's eye is to place our trust and faith in Jesus Christ for salvation. Then, because you are the apple of God's eye, He will be looking out for you. He is well able to handle every situation. God's got your back and when trouble shows up, He hides you under His eyelid.
Continue to Chapter 6: Questions
