THEOSISClement of Alexandria
The Scriptures evidently refer to the Master, illustrating the care and guidance that originated from Him.
Deuteronomy 32:10Meaning & Commentary from the Church Fathers
He found him in a desert land, in a place of horror, and of vast wilderness: he led him about, and taught him: and he kept him as the apple of his eye.
יִמְצָאֵ֙הוּ֙ בְּאֶ֣רֶץ מִדְבָּ֔ר וּבְתֹ֖הוּ יְלֵ֣ל יְשִׁמֹ֑ן יְסֹֽבְבֶ֙נְהוּ֙ יְב֣וֹנְנֵ֔הוּ יִצְּרֶ֖נְהוּ כְּאִישׁ֥וֹן עֵינֽוֹ׃
The Church Fathers on this verse
4 Church Fathers comment on this verse
Palaea Historica
Moses reflected on the departure from Egypt, noting that while in Egypt and engaging with their deities, you experienced numerous afflictions and illnesses.
Dimitri of Rostov
The servants of the Lord hold a cherished place in His heart, akin to the sensitivity of one's own eyes. Moses speaks of God's chosen people, stating, “Delight him in the wilderness, in the thirst of the heat in the waterless land, search him and chastise him, and keep him as the apple of His eye.” This is why David implores, “Preserve me, O Lord, like the apple of an eye” (Psalm 16:8). Individuals take great care of the apple of their eye, ensuring that nothing harmful comes into contact with it, for it is a source of light and guidance in life. Similarly, the Lord God finds joy in His servants, valuing them above all earthly beings, for He forsook the glories of heaven to come to our world and holds them dearly as the apple of His eye.
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Any offense against them does not go unnoticed, as He swiftly addresses those who would harm them. In Zechariah’s prophecy, it is revealed, “He who touches you touches the apple of My eye” (Zechariah 2:8). Who can remain calm when another strikes their eye? The Lord will not endure mistreatment of His ministers. Christ clearly articulated this truth in the Gospel, proclaiming, “Will not God work vengeance on His elect, who cry to Him day and night? I say unto you, He will execute vengeance upon them shortly” (Luke 18:7-8). What form will that vengeance take? As expressed in David's heartfelt supplication, “You will destroy all those who oppress my soul, for I am Your servant” (Psalm 142:12). Those who afflict the Lord's servants will face destruction, overwhelmed by the just wrath of God.
Tichon of Zadonsk
Although God permits trials to come upon His servants, He does not abandon them during those trials; rather, He is present with them, as He declares, ‘I am with him in tribulation’ (Psalm 90:15). He was also present with them during their time in the wilderness, as recorded in the song of Moses. Despite sending numerous hardships their way, He remained with them throughout their afflictions, as evidenced in the scriptures of the Old Testament.
Cross references
Passages read together with this verse.
- Hos 13:5I knew thee in the desert, in the land of the wilderness.
- Deut 8:15And was thy leader in the great and terrible wilderness, wherein there was the serpent burning with his breath, and the scorpion and the dipsas, and no waters at all: who brought forth streams out of the hardest rock,
- Deut 8:16And fed thee in the wilderness with manna which thy fathers knew not. And after he had afflicted and proved thee, at the last he had mercy on thee,
- Zech 2:8For thus saith the Lord of hosts: After the glory he hath sent me to the nations that have robbed you: for he that toucheth you, toucheth the apple of my eye:
- Ps 17 (16):8
- Ps 32 (31):7
- Ps 32 (31):10
- Jer 2:6And they have not said: Where is the Lord, that made us come up out of the land of Egypt? that led us through the desert, through a land uninhabited and unpassable, through a land of drought, and the image of death, through a land wherein no man walked, nor any man dwelt?