The phrase “apple of my eye” occurs several times in the Bible, referring to something or someone cherished and protected. When used in reference to human beings as the “apple of God’s eye,” this phrase indicates God’s special love, care, and protection for His people.
The first mention of this phrase is in Deuteronomy 32:10, where Moses says of Israel, “He shielded him and cared for him; he guarded him as the apple of his eye.” Here, Moses describes God’s tender care for His chosen nation Israel while they were wandering in the wilderness. As someone guards the pupil of their eye jealously, not letting any harm come near it, so God protected and cared for Israel.
Later, in Psalm 17:8, David prays to God for deliverance from his enemies, asking the Lord to “keep me as the apple of your eye.” He longs for the intimate, protective love of God in the midst of threat and danger. David sees himself as the object of God’s affection and desires God’s watchful care.
Zechariah 2:8 also refers to Israel as “the apple of his eye,” indicating God’s uncompromising protection of His covenant people. To touch Israel was to poke God in the eye, provoking divine protection.
While texts like Deuteronomy, Psalms, and Zechariah referred to the nation of Israel as the apple of God’s eye, the New Testament applies this phrase to the church, the spiritual community of those who follow Jesus. The Lord referred to believers as the “light of the world” and Paul exhorted the Ephesian church to walk “as children of light” (Matthew 5:14; Ephesians 5:8). This indicates that the beloved status Israel enjoyed has passed to all those who place their faith in Jesus Christ.
What are the implications of believers in Jesus being the apple of God’s eye?
Special Objects of God’s Love
Christians are the special objects of God’s intimate love. Just as the eye’s pupil is tenderly protected, so God cherishes believers as His most prized possession. Followers of Jesus have the incredible privilege of being loved by their Creator with an everlasting, unfailing love.
1 John 4:10 says, “This is love: not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins.” God demonstrated His vast love by making the ultimate sacrifice to redeem us. Ephesians 2:4-5 echoes this: “But because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions.” Even in our pitiful, sinful state, God lavished His great love upon us by giving us new life in Christ.
The Lord always watches closely over those He loves. Isaiah 49:15-16 movingly declares, “Can a mother forget the baby at her breast and have no compassion on the child she has borne? Though she may forget, I will not forget you! See, I have engraved you on the palms of my hands.” Compared with even a mother’s love for her nursing child, God’s love for His people is even more intimate, faithful, and permanent.
As the apple of God’s eye, Christians reside at the center of His affection and highest concern. We are His treasures, His beloved ones (Deuteronomy 14:2). There is no safer or more secure place to be than at the center of God’s passionate love for us.
Recipients of God’s Tender Care
The Lord not only dearly loves His people, but that love moves Him to faithfully care for us. Psalm 145:15 says, “The eyes of all look to you, and you give them their food at the proper time.” As God satisfies the hunger of all living creatures, so He will provide for and sustain those who look to Him.
Throughout Scripture, our Heavenly Father promises to meet the needs of His beloved children, giving us good gifts (Matthew 7:11). Jesus tells us not to worry about what we will eat or wear, assuring us that if God cares for lowly flowers and birds, “are you not much more valuable than they?” (Matthew 6:26-30) We can cast all our anxieties on Him, for He cares for us (1 Peter 5:7).
The Lord not only cares for our physical needs, but provides spiritual nourishment and growth. Jeremiah 24:6 says God’s eyes “watch over [His people] for good.” He prunes and disciplines us that we may bear more spiritual fruit (John 15:2). The Lord refuses to take His protective, nourishing gaze off those He loves. As the apple of His eye, believers remain under the shadow of His wings (Psalm 17:8, 36:7).
Recipients of God’s Watchful Protection
Importantly, being the apple of God’s eye means we are under His vigilant protection. Deuteronomy 32:10 says God “shielded and cared” for Israel “as the apple of His eye.” No one could touch Israel without provoking God’s defense.
Throughout Scripture, the Lord promises to be a strong tower and a shield to those who trust in Him (2 Samuel 22:3; Psalm 28:7). “The angel of the Lord encamps around those who fear him, and he delivers them,” says Psalm 34:7. As the apple of His eye, God preserves His people from all evil (Psalm 121:7).
This does not mean believers will never face affliction in this fallen world. However, Romans 8:28 assures us God works all things together for the good of those who love Him. The Lord promises to be with us in trouble (Psalm 91:15) and use hardships for our growth in grace. As the apple of His eye, Christians are eternally secure in God’s protective care.
This protection extends even beyond the grave. As Jesus assured His followers, “My Father, who has given them to me, is greater than all; no one can snatch them out of my Father’s hand” (John 10:29). God will never abandon or forsake those He has redeemed (Hebrews 13:5). Eternal security rests in His faithful hands.
Recipients of God’s Corrective Discipline
Proverbs 7:2 exhorts us to guard God’s teachings “as the apple of your eye.” Just as the eye’s pupil is sensitive and quick to detect any irritant, so God’s Word enlightens and protects our spiritual lives. Diligent intake of Scripture protects us from drifting into harmful deeds or beliefs.
As those dearly loved by God, Christians also receive His loving, corrective discipline when needed. Hebrews 12:5-6 says, “My son, do not make light of the Lord’s discipline, and do not lose heart when he rebukes you, because the Lord disciplines the one he loves, and he chastens everyone he accepts as his son.” Though painful, God’s loving discipline produces a “harvest of righteousness” (Hebrews 12:11).
Revelation 3:19 declares, “Those whom I love I rebuke and discipline. So be earnest and repent.” The Lord passionately calls wayward believers to repentance through difficult trials and consequences designed to restore us to intimate fellowship with Him.
Recipients of God’s Attentive Response
Isaiah 65:24 promises God’s attentive response to the prayers of His beloved people: “Before they call I will answer; while they are still speaking I will hear.” Similarly, Psalm 145:18-19 assures us, “The Lord is near to all who call on him, to all who call on him in truth. He fulfills the desires of those who fear him; he hears their cry and saves them.”
As the apple of His eye, God is ever ready to hear and answer the pleas of His people. Jesus said believers can approach God with bold confidence in prayer, just as a child approaches their father (Matthew 7:9-11). When we pray according to His will, He promises to hear and grant our requests (1 John 5:14-15).
The Lord also responds with mercy and restoration when His beloved children confess their sins to Him. 1 John 1:9 says, “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.” As the apple of His eye, Christians have direct access to cleansing and renewal through God’s forgiveness.
Conclusion
To be the apple of God’s eye is to be the special object of His intimate love, tender care, vigilant protection, loving discipline, and attentive response. This privileged position belongs to all those who put their faith in Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord. As His redeemed and beloved children, Christians reside safely in the center of God’s passionate affection and highest concern.
Though trials inevitably come in this broken world, we can face each day with confidence, knowing our lives are hidden in the faithful, powerful hands of the Almighty God. He will supply all our needs, guard and guide our steps, correct us when needed, and hear our cries. We have the surpassing privilege of living every moment as the apple of our Father’s eye.
