Matthew Poole and continuators on Deuteronomy 32:10

10 He found him in a desert land , and in the wast howling wilderness : he led him about , he instructed him, he kept him as the apple of his eye .

Not by chance, but as it were looking out and seeking for him, he met with him there. He did indeed manifest himself to him in Egypt, but it was in the wilderness at Sinai where he found God and God found him in an eminent manner and revealed his mind and will to him and entred into covenant with him and imparted himself and his grace and blessing to him, that being the place appointed even in Egypt for God and Israel to meet together, Exod. 3. 12. By this word he also signifies both their lost condition in themselves, and that their recovery was not from themselves, but onely from God who sought and found them out by his grace.

In a place destitute of all the necessaries and comforts of life, which also was a type of that desolate and comfortless condition in which all men are before the grace of God finds them out. See Cant. 3. 6. and 8. 5. Ezek. 16. 4. Hos. 9. 15. and 13. 10.

Where in stead of the voices of men is nothing heard but the howlings and yellings and scrietches of ravenous birds and beasts. See Isa. 43. 20. Mich. 1. 8.

He conducted them from place to place by his cloudy pillar and providence. See Exod. 13. 18, &c. Or, he compassed him about, by his provident care over him, watching over him and preserving him on every side. Compare Psal. 32. 7.

As men use to keep the apple of their eye, i. e. with singular care and diligence, this being as most tender so a most useful part. Compare Psal. 17. 8. Prov. 7. 2. Zech. 2. 8.

Marginal references: chap. 8. 15▪ Jer. [illegible: 1+ letters]. 6.; Or, camp[illegible: 1+ letters] him about.; Psal. 17. 8. Zech. 2. 8.