A Good Eye

   He who is generous will be blessed, 
   For he gives some of his food to the poor.
   --Proverbs 22:9

The first phrase in the original text literally reads: “He who has a good eye will be blessed.” The 'good eye' is not about visual acuity or a healthy eye, but rather the idea of goodness or kindness. Of course, eyes are commonly used to emphasize awareness, and that seems to be the case in this proverb. So, you might say that the 'good eye' is also a sharp eye that is aware of things going on around it.

   "He who has a good, sharp eye will be blessed..."

The person with a ‘good eye’ is one who is aware of those around him and their needs. Along with his keen awareness is a heart of compassion. He looks with a ‘good eye’ of tenderness toward the needy and is moved in his heart.

However, he does not merely see with a keen eye; he is not merely moved by a heart of compassion; he acts. He gives. He shares some of his food with the poor.

This one will be blessed.

The meaning of the word bless is rooted in prayer and praise toward God. It actually means ‘to kneel.’ That is a fitting picture when we think of man ‘blessing’ God. However, it does not fit at all when we think of God blessing man.

When God blesses man, the idea is not that God kneels. Rather, the word takes it meaning from the idea of speaking good things to or about another. So, when man speaks good things to God and about God, he praises. yet, when God speaks good things toward man...

Think for a moment about the nature of God’s speech. In the Genesis account of creation God spoke, “Let there be light.”

What happened when God spoke?
"There was light.”

Does that produce a sense of awe and amazement as you reflect on that event? Do we truly recognize the power and authority and wonder of God's spoken word? If God speaks a blessing to man, it will come about.

   He who has a good eye will be blessed,
   For he gives some of his food to the poor.

Do you have a good eye?
If so, God will speak a blessing for you.

The Apple of Your Eye

Think about your eyes.
Think about the importance of your eyes.

What will you do to protect your eyes?

The wind kicks up a little dust; you turn your head. Out of your peripheral vision you see something moving toward your eyes; you react. People are sometimes comical when a gnat zeroes in on one of their eyeballs. They swat, clap, dip, dodge, and sway to avoid the tiny insect...that no one else sees.

Eyes are important. We cherish our eyes. We protect our eyes.

The “apple of your eye” is an old phrase that is generally used for something or someone that is deeply cherished. But don’t think about sweet apples that the eye sees and desires. Rather, the 'apple' of the eye is the 'pupil.'

The English phrase, "the apple of the eye" come from a Hebrew phrase that is literally: "the little man of the eye." Language scholars accept this to be the pupil of the eye where a person might see their own reflection in another person's eye, therefore, the 'little man.' So, the phrase is not about something precious that the eye sees, but something of greatest importance, the pupil, or the eye itself!

Not only do we blink, swat, and dodge physical things that endanger our eyes, we protect our eyes from intense light that might cause blindness. The ‘apple of your eye’ is something that we all cherish, but also something that we will do almost anything to protect.

  Solomon wrote:
    Keep my commandments and live, 
    And my teaching as the apple of your eye.
                                                   --Proverbs 7:2

God’s word is to be cherished and protected. The idea is not that God’s word is so delicate that it needs protection. Rather, God’s word is of such great importance that we should do anything to make sure we hold to it and follow it.

Can you think of anything in life that is so important that you would give your eyes?

Is God’s instruction as important to you as the ‘apple of your eye’?