Israel – The Apple of God’s Eye

This is the beginning of a series of posts from the words of the prophet Zechariah who was a contemporary of the prophet Haggai. I don’t begin to claim clear understanding of all the visions that he relates at the beginning of the book, but it is clear that God’s focus is intent on the people of Israel dispersed throughout the nations and their mistreatment at the hands of the Gentiles. It is also clear that He is just as interested in Jerusalem, representative of the land of Israel, the place with which He had chosen to associate with His name as His distinct possession on planet earth.

Zechariah 2:4-5 And said unto him, Run, speak to this young man, saying, Jerusalem shall be inhabited as towns without walls for the multitude of men and cattle therein: For I, saith the LORD, will be unto her a wall of fire round about, and will be the glory in the midst of her.

In these verses Zechariah is told that Jerusalem is going to become so strong and prosperous that there will be no room for walls—neither will they be necessary. God Himself will be her protection and her glory. The wording indicates that He will be dwelling in her midst. This obviously is speaking of a time yet future; Jerusalem has never experienced this type of prosperity and security since the Babylonian captivity.

In the following verses God emphasizes that it is He who has scattered His people throughout the earth and that He holds the nations accountable for how they have treated His people and His land. In fact, He would see to it that those nations whom the people of Israel were made to serve would become the servants of Israel.

Zechariah 2:6 Ho, ho, come forth, and flee from the land of the north, saith the LORD: for I have spread you abroad as the four winds of the heaven, saith the LORD.

Zechariah 2:8-9 For thus saith the LORD of hosts; After the glory hath he sent me unto the nations which spoiled you: for he that toucheth you toucheth the apple of his eye. For, behold, I will shake mine hand upon them, and they shall be a spoil to their servants: and ye shall know that the LORD of hosts hath sent me.

This message is in accordance with the message of the prophets Isaiah and Jeremiah.

Isaiah 14:1-2 For the LORD will have mercy on Jacob, and will yet choose Israel, and set them in their own land: and the strangers shall be joined with them, and they shall cleave to the house of Jacob. And the people shall take them, and bring them to their place: and the house of Israel shall possess them in the land of the LORD for servants and handmaids: and they shall take them captives, whose captives they were; and they shall rule over their oppressors.

Jeremiah 30:16-17 Therefore all they that devour thee shall be devoured; and all thine adversaries, every one of them, shall go into captivity; and they that spoil thee shall be a spoil, and all that prey upon thee will I give for a prey. For I will restore health unto thee, and I will heal thee of thy wounds, saith the LORD; because they called thee an Outcast, saying, This is Zion, whom no man seeketh after.

No matter what some may say today, Israel is declared to be the “apple of God’s eye.” It is not a conditional statement; it’s a statement of fact. The apple of the eye is the pupil (according to the Hebrew). This is the center of one’s focus and vision; it is expressing something treasured and valued. God is going to exact judgment upon those nations that have mistreated the nation of Israel, His special treasure among the nations.

This chapter closes with the truth that the Lord will come and dwell in the midst of His people during this future time of blessing.

Zechariah 2:10-12 Sing and rejoice, O daughter of Zion: for, lo, I come, and I will dwell in the midst of thee, saith the LORD. And many nations shall be joined to the LORD in that day, and shall be my people: and I will dwell in the midst of thee, and thou shalt know that the LORD of hosts hath sent me unto thee. And the LORD shall inherit Judah his portion in the holy land, and shall choose Jerusalem again.

I think it is clear that this is in reference to a time yet future.