The Apple of God’s Eye

The Lord’s portion is His people; Jacob is the lot of His inheritance … (God) kept him as the apple of His eye’ Deuteronomy 32:9-10.

When we say that someone is “the apple of my eye” no explanation is needed. It is self-evident. That person is precious, loved, cherished. Therefore, when it is said in Deuteronomy 32:10 that Jacob, a term of the Nation, is the ‘apple of God’s eyes we grasp how precious they are to Him. Israel was given the assurance that the Lord would guide them, guard them and govern them. The nation accepted this relationship with its responsibility of keeping God’s Law.  Proverbs 7:2 though said by an earthly father to his son is appropriate to God and His son, Israel. My son, keep my words, and lay up my commandments with you. Keep my commandments and live; and my law as the apple of your eye.’  

Because the Nation neglected then abused the Law they poked their own finger into their own eye. Blinded, leaders and people began to stumble into iniquity.  God gave His Laws so His people could know life and prosperity. Their rebellion made them deaf and blind to their Creator ushering in condemnation and wrath. However, a day has been set when the National blindness will be healed. This will be at the hands of the Messi42:7. 35:5). Until that time Israel stumbles in unbelief and ignorance of their Lord and Creator.

In such darkness and dispersion Jacob became a prey for tyrants, charlatans and false messiahs. Little did they realise in abusing, stealing from and killing Yahweh’s portion. The World takes pleasure in corrupting and violating the people and the land of Israel. In so doing those countries are consciously or subconsciously ‘poking’ their fist into Yahweh’s eye. He will not endure that forever. Nor will He forget His covenant with Abraham, Isaac, Jacob and David.

Ezekiel unlocked the fate of the Gentile Nations intent of the extinction of God’s covenanted people. He recorded God saying “I hid my face from them (Israel)” (Ezekiel 39:23, 24,). Judgement took place as Moses warned about in Deuteronomy 28. There was however the assurance given in Deuteronomy 30 that God would have compassion upon them. Though the ungodly try and prevent it or destroy them in the land they forget this fact. God promised, “I will not hide my face from them anymore; for I have poured out My Spirit on the house of Israel” (Ezekiel 39:29). He does this for He is jealous for His name and glory which is bound up in the nation he created.

 Zechariah 2:8 is the last mention of Israel as the ‘apple of God’s eye.’ This book points to the day when the Almighty looks again with favour on His people and His land. He may have closed His eyes and looked away but the day comes when He will look upon them with favour again. Zechariah writes ‘”In that day … I will open my eyes on the house of Judah…’ The result will be a recognition of God’s faithfulness and the realisation of who was the one the Nation pierced. In mourning, in repentance the people will bow and seek forgiveness and cleansing. The condemnation of God on the Nation as recorded by Jeremiah is now reversed. He had written, ‘My people … have forsaken me, the fountain of living waters…’ (Jeremiah 2:13. 17:13).  The promise is now written that the grace of God has provided the fountain for cleansing (Zechariah 13:1). From that fountain the Nation will emerge with songs of praise and behold the Lord in their midst and Jerusalem His dwelling place. They have come alive to Yahweh once more. They will abide under the face of their Lord and be favoured as the ‘apple of His eye!’