Daily Scripture Threshing for Wednesday, January 24, 2024
Today’s Text: Zechariah 2:1-12
Key Verse: Zechariah 2:8 (ESV): "For thus said the Lord of hosts, after his glory sent me to the nations who plundered you, for he who touches you touches the apple of his eye.”
This oracle cannot but leave any thirsty soul wondering about God's deep love for His people. When He was ready to build His Holy City for the sake and comfort of His people, and for the glory of His name; I have no idea why such promise, such blessing and privilege would not be embraced and engaged with joy no matter what it may cost. But fortunately, it costs nothing; but willingness to join God's pilgrims and match to Zion. I would think it is the greatest madness for any one to stay back in Babylon. Not only is God saying: "Escape for your life, and look not behind." But He wants to make you into His most special and peculiar people.
This great love was epitomized and finalized in Christ, who reveals the full extent of God's love and proclaims the ultimate deliverance to captives, so that those escape from this captive world may find true Zion in Him. And, what Christ does for us is He brought us into that covenant affection with God. And, so, anyone who touches you, touches the apple of His eye. There is no better expression of God's love to his church. He takes what is done against her as done against the tenderest part of His eye, to which the least touch is a great offence. Yes, you know the feelings and reaction when someone tries to touch you in the eyes.
You are special and adorable to God, and there is no contention about it. The phrase “the apple of the eye” is an ancient metaphor that runs throughout scripture. It is a figure of speech referencing the “pupil” or center of the eye. It is a description of how deeply God cares for His people. We all protect our eyes in the desert, barren and howling wastelands. We shield it from dust, pebbles and peppery stings. That is how God guards His beloveds as the apple of His eye.
Getting a little more into the root for the words will help better. The Hebrew for apple is ishon, which is related to the word for man, which is ish. Offering a clearer etymology of the phrase: “the little man of the eye of God.” Just find a spouse, friend, son, daughter, or anyone, and look in their eye and you shall see your own reflection in their pupil? What you see is the manner in which God perceives you as His own reflection, the “little man,” right in the center of His eye."
Quote for the Day: “There is no better expression of God's love to his church. He takes what is done against her as done against the tenderest part of His eye." — Simon Olatunji
Prayer: O Dear Lord and Father, I am so grateful for Your love for me, and I pray O Lord that You keep me as the apple of the eye; hide me in the shadow of thy wings, from the wicked who despoil me, my deadly enemies who surround me; who close their hearts to pity; with their mouths they speak arrogantly — in Jesus Christ’s name. Amen.
With all my love and prayers,
Rev Simon Wale Olatunji, Ph.D.
Your Darling Bishop (DaBishop)
For further inquiry and free spiritual help, visit or write:
The Darling Bishop,
2321 S Belt Line Rd., Suite 144
Grand Prairie TX 75051 USA
+1 (407) 360-8280; (817) 822-8441
[Daily Scripture Threshing is a devotional guide of The House of Prayer Evangel Church USA distributed for free use by individuals, small groups, families, and Christian churches]
Send | Share | Subscribe | Support
Comments