Section 715
I. Her navel is compared to "a round goblet, which wanteth not liquor"
By which some[4113] understand, not that part of the body itself, but some covering or ornament of it; as some jewel or plate of gold, which was so called, either, because it was the shape of the navel, or else, because it covered and adorned it; as also, because the word translated round in the Chaldee language signifies the moon, it has inclined them to think that this ornament may be the same which the Jewish women are said to wear, in Isaiah 3:18, where mention is made of their "round tires like the moon;" which figure is also understood by the Targum upon our text though others,[4114] who are also of opinion that some covering of these parts is intended; yet think that the reference is made unto that "clothing of wrought gold," with which the church is said to be arrayed, in Psalm 45:13 in the midst of which, or in that part of it which covered the navel and belly, was a raised or embossed work, which resembled an heap of wheat, or rather, sheaves of wheat, round about which was an embroidery of curious flowers, and especially lilies;, and in the midst of the whole work, a fountain or conduir, running with several sorts of liquors, into a great bowl or bason: Fortunatus Scacchus[4115] interprets it of a garment covering those parts, embroidered with lilies. By all which, the glory and beauty of the "garments of salvation, and robe of Christ's righteousness," with which believers are adorned, may be represented to us. R. Aben Ezra, by the navel, understands the great Sanhedrim; as he does by the belly, the lesser:[4116] R. Solomon Jarchi, lishcat gazit, or the paved chamber an which they sat. Moreover, nothing is more frequent with Jewish writers,[4117] than to call the land of Canaan, and particularly Jerusalem, the navel of the earth; which they suppose to be in the very midst of it, for which reason they call it so; and it was from this navel of the earth, that the gospel of Christ, went forth into all the world; "for out of Zion shall go, forth the law, and the word of the Lord from Jerusalem:" The Targum, or Chaldee paraphrase on the place, applies it to the "head of the school; by whose righteousness the whole world receives nourishment, even as the child receives nourishment through its navel in its mother's bowels." And I am inclined to think, that by it we are to understand the ministers of the gospel; who, in the administration of the word and ordinances, are that to Christ's body, the church, as the navel is to an human body: and, 1. As the navel is placed in the more eminent part of the belly, so ate the ministers of the gospel in the highest place in the church; who, being called to the greatest work, have the greatest gifts, and largest measures of grace bestowed upon them, to furnish them for it; to whom others are exhorted to submit themselves, they being set over them "in or by the Lord." 2. As the navel, they are placed in the midst of Christ's body, the church: it is in the midst of the church they do all their work, preach the gospel, and administer ordinances, in imitation of and conformity to their great master and prophet in Israel, Christ Jesus; who said, "In the midst of the church will I sing praise unto thee," (Hebrews 2:12). 3. As the navel is the strength of the intestines; so the ministers of Christ are not only strong themselves, in the power and grace of Christ, as they had need be, but are also strength-criers of others; one principal part of their work being to "strengthen weak hands, and confirm the feeble knees;" as our Lord said to Peter, "when thou art converted, strengthen thy brethren," (Luke 22:32). 4. As the navel conduces much to the health of the body, so do the ministers of the gospel to the health of the church: Solomon, speaking of the tear of the Lord, says, that "it shall be health to thy navel, and marrow to thy bones," where, by the navel, he means the whole body; that being in a good plight, and a healthful condition, has much influence upon the whole body to make it so: The ministers of Christ, in preaching the everlasting gospel, and feeding souls with the "wholesome words of our Lord Jesus Christ," are very serviceable for the increasing and maintaining the health of the church; many things in the book of Proverbs are applicable to them in this case (see Proverbs 12:18, 13:17, 16:24). 5. The navel is that part through which the child receives its nourishment in the womb; the ministers of Christ as they are instruments in begetting souls again, so they are useful in the nourishing of them, even when in embryo, as well as in feeding them with " the sincere milk of the word;" which they, as "new-born babes," are desirous of, and with which they are nourished and brought up. Moreover, the navel of the church is compared to a "round goblet, bowl or bason." I need not observe how aptly the metaphor agrees with this part of the body, it being like a bowl or bason, both round and hollow; though the mystical writers, among the Jews render it, the pit of the breast or stomach;[4118] a phrase which we also use, and rather seems to answer better the description given: which, in a mystical sense, may be expressive of, 1. The perfection of gospel-ministers: the round or circular form is accounted the most per-feet; these, though they are not absolutely perfect, yet may be said to be comparatively so, having a more perfect knowledge of the gospel, and the mysteries of it, than private believers usually have (see Philippians 3:15), for having a larger acquaintance with the scriptures of truth, they are thereby in a sense made perfect, and "thoroughly furnished Unto all good works," as the apostle observes, in 2 Timothy 3:17, 2. It may also be expressive of that workmanship which is bestowed upon them; who of themselves are not "sufficient for these things," until, by the gifts and graces of the Spirit, they are made "able ministers of the New Testament," and in some good measure qualified for the work of the ministry; and then are they like "a round goblet," turned and formed by some curious artist. 3. It may likewise serve to set forth the capacity which they are endowed withal, to hold and retain gospel-truths; they are not like colanders, which immediately let out whatever is poured into them; but like round goblets, bowls or basons, which to old and retain whatever they receive; and this is esteemed as a necessary qualification of a gospel minister, by the apostle Paul, in Titus 1:9, that he be such an one as holds fast the faithful word, and does not let it slip nor go from him; but continues in the things which he has learned, knowing of whom he has learned them.
Also, it is worthy of our notice, that this navel of the church is not compared to an empty goblet, but to one that "wanteth not liquor:" by which may be meant, (1.) The grace of the blessed Spirit which is more or less in all believers; which lunch conduces to their healthfulness, as the moisture of the navel does to the body: it is no unusual thing in scripture for the grace of the Spirit to be compared to water, and to an abundance of it; even to rivers of living water; which are said to be in the belly of a believer, and these are never-failing ones; for grace is in them, as a "well of water springing up into everlasting life." Or, (2.) The church's cleanness may be intended by this expression; who being washed in Christ's blood, and sprinkled with the clean water of the everlasting covenant, needed no other liquor to be washed with; and thus, as a navel not cut and unwashed, represents the impurity and corruption of nature, in Ezekiel 16:4, so a navel cut and washed, as the church's is here, may be expressive of her purity and cleanness, through the blood and grace of Christ; so that she needs no other liquor to make her clean. Or rather, (3.) It intends those large and never-failing supplies which the ministers of the gospel continually have from Christ; who is "ascended on high to fill all things," and particularly ministers; that so they may never want the liquor of gospel-truths to communicate to others; for which reason he has promised to be with them unto the end of the world; as he accordingly is, and continues filling these golden pipes, as fast as they empty the golden oil of gospel-truths out of themselves. And, 4. The Hebrew word translated liquor, properly signifying, a mixture, or a mixed liquor,[4119] may be expressive of that variety of gospel-grace and gospel-truths, which they are possessed of, and distribute to others: which is a mixture, not of human inventions, and the doctrines of the gospel together: but of wine and milk, which are joined together, in Isaiah 55:1 to which souls are invited to partake of: and which perhaps is the mingled wine, in 5, such a mixed liquor[4120] being what was drank in those countries, as appears from Song of Solomon 5:1, and such a mixture as this, for thirsty, distressed and fainting souls, will never be wanting in the gospel, or with gospel-ministers.
Likewise it may be observed, that the words may be read as a wish for a continued supply of this mixed liquor in this vessel, thus, "Let there not want liquor";[4121] and so is expressive of Christ's strong affection to his church, and tender concern that there might be a continued supply in the ministry of the word for her nourishment; as well as implies a promise that it should be so.