Topical Bible: The Eye: Frequently Fair

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The eye, a remarkable creation of God, is often referenced in the Bible both literally and metaphorically. It serves as a window to the soul, a symbol of perception, and a means of discernment. The eye's ability to perceive beauty and truth is frequently highlighted in Scripture, underscoring its importance in the spiritual and moral life of believers.

Physical and Spiritual Sight

The physical eye is a marvel of God's design, allowing humans to perceive the world around them. In Psalm 19:8, the psalmist declares, "The precepts of the LORD are right, giving joy to the heart; the commands of the LORD are radiant, giving light to the eyes." Here, the eye is associated with enlightenment and understanding, suggesting that God's commandments illuminate the path of righteousness.

In the New Testament, Jesus emphasizes the significance of spiritual sight. In Matthew 6:22-23, He teaches, "The eye is the lamp of the body. If your eyes are good, your whole body will be full of light. But if your eyes are bad, your whole body will be full of darkness. If then the light within you is darkness, how great is that darkness!" This passage highlights the eye's role in spiritual discernment, where a "good" eye represents a heart aligned with God's will, leading to a life filled with divine light.

The Eye as a Symbol of God's Watchfulness

The eye is also a symbol of God's omniscience and watchfulness. Proverbs 15:3 states, "The eyes of the LORD are in every place, keeping watch on the evil and the good." This verse reassures believers of God's constant vigilance over His creation, ensuring justice and righteousness prevail.

In 2 Chronicles 16:9, it is written, "For the eyes of the LORD roam to and fro over all the earth to show Himself strong on behalf of those whose hearts are fully devoted to Him." This imagery of God's eyes roaming the earth conveys His active involvement in the lives of the faithful, offering strength and support to those who seek Him wholeheartedly.

Moral and Ethical Implications

The eye is frequently associated with moral and ethical behavior in Scripture. Job, in his pursuit of righteousness, declares, "I have made a covenant with my eyes; how then could I gaze with desire at a virgin?" (Job 31:1). This commitment reflects the importance of guarding one's eyes against lust and temptation, emphasizing purity and self-control.

Similarly, in Psalm 101:3, David resolves, "I will set no worthless thing before my eyes; I hate the work of those who fall away; it shall not cling to me." This verse underscores the necessity of avoiding corrupting influences and maintaining a focus on what is good and pleasing to God.

The Eye in Eschatological Context

In eschatological passages, the eye is often linked to the anticipation of Christ's return. Revelation 1:7 proclaims, "Behold, He is coming with the clouds, and every eye will see Him, even those who pierced Him. And all the tribes of the earth will mourn because of Him. So shall it be! Amen." This prophecy assures believers that the return of Christ will be a visible and undeniable event, witnessed by all.

The eye, frequently fair in its ability to perceive and discern, serves as a powerful symbol throughout the Bible. It represents both the physical and spiritual faculties given by God, calling believers to live in the light of His truth and righteousness.

Torrey's Topical Textbook

1 Samuel 16:12
And he sent, and brought him in. Now he was ruddy, and with of a beautiful countenance, and goodly to look to. And the LORD said, Arise, anoint him: for this is he.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Library

"As Thy Days, So Shall Thy Strength Be"
... a silver glory; when we have stretched our eye faraway, and ... We must first get a good
fair idea of the great ... how frequently too is our heart cold when we are ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 4 1858/as thy days so shall.htm

The Christian Business World
... men are those who are fair only when they are compelled to be fair and who ... The reason
often given is that the eye is fixed too frequently and earnestly ...
/.../sell/studies in the life of the christian/study xi the christian business.htm

How we Ought Lovingly to Receive God.
... Eternal Wisdom."Behold, though neither thy eye nor anything ... of ardent love, strewn
over with the fair violets of ... an ill return have I so frequently made Thee ...
/.../suso/a little book of eternal wisdom/chapter xxiii how we ought.htm

Letter cciv. To the Neoc??sareans.
... Again, let a fair and impartial inquiry be appointed. ... A diseased eye does not see
many things which do ... The same thing frequently takes place with regard to the ...
/.../basil/basil letters and select works/letter cciv to the neocaesareans.htm

Introduction
... The eye of God is, and the eye of the Christian ... God has set limits to them, yet how
frequently do they ... Christian, for many a hypocrite can show as fair a hand ...
//christianbookshelf.org/flavel/on keeping the heart/introduction.htm

The Good Steward
... see, in the clearest manner, when the eye is of ... That which has been frequently alleged
for this purpose seems ... So that the fair inference to be drawn from this ...
/.../wesley/sermons on several occasions/sermon 51 the good steward.htm

Christian Ballads.
... Tis the wink of an eye; 'tis the ... him and were harmonized for him by others, most
frequently by his ... er we turn Thy glories shine, And all things fair and bright ...
/.../brown/the story of the hymns and tunes/chapter vi christian ballads.htm

Be Diligent
... apparently calm, as the master's keen eye goes down ... in its meaning earnestness, and
it very frequently includes that ... rises between you and the fair lands beyond ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture ephesians peter/be diligent.htm

To the Rev. Andrew Brandram
... I should say that you gave a fair answer.' This ... Since this occasion I have been
frequently surprised that I ... the best policy is to fix your eye steadily upon it ...
/.../borrow/letters of george borrow/to the rev andrew brandram.htm

Heavenly Rest
... The worldling has frequently a good estate. ... corn and his wine are increased, has
a glad eye and A ... him down, that he must then leave all his fair riches behind ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 3 1857/heavenly rest.htm