James, I believe that Jesus was the apple of God's eye. He became flesh as man, in the physical world, and did all that he heard the Father say. God's kingdom is a spiritual kingdom but Jesus left that kingdom to live in the physical kingdom to be a witness to mankind to what God wants of us. Then he paid the ultimate price to make it possible for us to be like him and live with him forever into eternity.
Deut. 32:10 “He found him in a desert land, and in the waste howling wilderness; he led him about, he instructed him, he kept him as the apple of his eye.”
Jesus [apple of His eye] was taken to Egypt and brought back. He was that Tree of Life called Emmanuel or God with us.
Matthew 1:23 “Behold, a virgin shall be with child, and shall bring forth a son, and they shall call his name Emmanuel, which being interpreted is, God with us.”
The male line was cursed when Jehoiachin was taken to Babylon so it was left to the female line of the tribe of Judah, and that was Mary the virgin. Some say that David was the apple of God’s eye but I can’t find that in Scripture. Jesus did what the Father said to do. That’s what we are required to do as we tune in to the Holy Spirit’s prompting.
Proverbs 7:2 “Keep my commandments, and live; and my law as the apple of thine eye.”
Song 2:3 “As the apple tree among the trees of the wood, so is my beloved among the sons. I sat down under his shadow with great delight, and his fruit was sweet to my taste.”
Zech. 2:8 “For thus says the Lord of hosts; after the glory has he sent me unto the nations which spoiled you: for he that touches you touches the apple of his eye.” The tribe of Judah carried the Promised Seed of Abraham.
Romans 9:7 “Neither, because they are the seed of Abraham, are they all children: but, In Isaac shall thy seed be called.”
Hebrews 2:14-17 “Forasmuch then as the children are partakers of flesh and blood, he also himself likewise took part of the same; that through death he might destroy him that had the power of death, that is, the devil; and deliver them who through fear of death were all their lifetime subject to bondage.
For verily he took not on him the nature of angels; but he took on him the [promised] seed of Abraham. Wherefore in all things it behoved him to be made like unto his brethren, that he [Jesus] might be a merciful and faithful high priest in things pertaining to God, to make reconciliation for the sins of the people.”