Father, thank you for this time that we have here tonight.

We gathered in your name.

And through our worship, we've glorified you.

And we trust now, through our time together sharing, we will glorify you.

Lord, we pray for understanding and wisdom.

And we pray for the peace of Jerusalem.

And so we commit this conversation to you, Lord.

Help us to have ears to hear and eyes to see and a heart to receive what you would say to us tonight.

And we thank you together in Jesus' name.

And everyone said, amen.

So this is Zechariah chapter 2. This is actually often quoted, but I think sometimes

out of context. So this is, this is Zechariah saying, for thus says the Lord of hosts,

he sent me after glory to the nations which plunder you. And then this is the part that is often quoted,

for he who touches you touches the apple of his eye, God's eye. For surely I will shake my hand

against them and they shall become spoil for their servants. And then you will know that the Lord of

hosts has sent me. so the idea of he who

touches you touches the apple of his eye it it can literally mean whoever messes with Israel

pokes a finger in God's eye the apple of his eye like the pupil like you don't you don't mess with Israel you know those bumper stickers don't mess with pupil, like you don't mess with Israel.

You know those bumper stickers don't mess with Texas?

It should say don't mess with Israel.

Because when you mess with Israel, he who touches you, touches the apple of his eye.

You're messing.

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