Those Who Strike at God's Eyes
Those who persecute God's people are, in effect, striking at God Himself, and will face His judgment and punishment.
Thomas Brooks emphasizes the profound connection between God and His people, illustrating that those who harm God's followers are, in essence, striking at God Himself. He draws from Zechariah 2:8 to highlight the sacredness of God's people, likening them to the apple of His eye, which is fiercely protected. Brooks warns persecutors that their actions against believers will not go unpunished, as God is deeply aware of their suffering and will respond with justice. He reminds us that Christ, in His glorified state, continues to bear the griefs of His saints, reinforcing the intimate bond between Him and His followers. The sermon serves as a stern warning to those who afflict God's people, urging them to reconsider their actions.
Text
"Whoever touches you, touches the apple of His eye."
Zechariah 2:8
The apple (or pupil) of the eye is the tenderest piece
of the tenderest part. The eye is kept most diligently,
and strongly guarded by nature. A man can better bear
a thump on the back, the biting of his finger, the cutting
of his hand, the pricking of his leg, or a blow upon his
arm--than a touch on the eye.
Oh, that persecutors would be quiet, and let God's people
alone, and take heed how they meddle with God's eyes!
There is no touching of them, to wrong or injure them,
but you wrong and injure the Holy One of Israel, who will
certainly revenge Himself upon you. Those who strike
at God's eyes, do through them strike at God Himself,
which He will never put up with. It is a dangerous thing
to molest and trouble, to afflict or annoy the people of
God; for God Himself is very sensible of it, and accordingly
He will certainly requite it. Acts 9:4, "Saul, Saul, why do
you persecute Me?" Those who persecute the servants of
Christ--they persecute Christ Himself, who lives in them,
and is mystically united to them.
Look! as there is by virtue of the natural union a mutual
sympathy between the head and the members, the husband
and the wife--so it is here between Christ and His saints, for
He is a most sympathizing, compassionate, tender-hearted
Savior. Those who shoot at the saints, hit Christ; their
sufferings and their reproaches are counted His. He who
bore the saints' griefs when He was on earth, really and
properly, He bears them still now He is in heaven, in a
way of sympathy. Christ in His glorified state, has a very
tender sense of all the evil that is done to His children, His
members, His spouse--and looks upon it as done to Himself!
I say to the persecutors of Christians, "Let the people of
God alone, for if you do but make their finger ache, God
will make your heads and hearts ache for it before He has
done with you!"
Sermon Outline
- The Vulnerability of God's People
- The eye is a vulnerable part of the body
- Persecutors are warned not to touch God's people
Key Quotes
“Whoever touches you, touches the apple of His eye.” — Thomas Brooks
“Those who strike at God's eyes, do through them strike at God Himself, which He will never put up with.” — Thomas Brooks
“Let the people of God alone, for if you do but make their finger ache, God will make your heads and hearts ache for it before He has done with you!” — Thomas Brooks
Application Points
- We should be careful not to harm or persecute God's people, as it is considered a direct attack on God Himself.
- We should pray for and support those who are persecuted for their faith, as their suffering is counted as Christ's own.
- We should be mindful of the consequences of our actions, as God will judge and punish those who harm His people.