Section 720
II. The eyes of the church are here compared to fish-pools: in Heshbon, by the gate of Bathrabbim
In this comparison the allusion may be to the humors in the eye, one of which is called aquea; which are enclosed as water in a fishpool, and in which the eye seems to swim; hence the eyes are called by Virgil[4132] natantia lamina; and the same word in Hebrew, signifies both a fountain and the eye; and fishpools, in the plural number, are properly observed, because there are two eyes. Some think that Heshbon is not to be taken here as the proper name of a place, but to be read in construction with fishpools, thus, thine eyes are like to fishpools, artificially made;[4133] that are curiously formed, and according to art; such as were about the sheep-gate, which is here called the gate of Bathrabbim, because it was much frequented, and through it abundance of people passed to and fro: but it seems most agreeable to understand it of the city Heshbon, which. was the seat of Sihon king of the Amorites, as appears from Numbers 21:26, and Bathrabbim was one of the gates of this city; which was so called, either because it led to Rabbath, a city near unto it, and therefore are mentioned together, in Jeremiah 49:3, which,, as is manifest from 2 Samuel 12:27, was a city of waters: or else, because of the vast multitudes of people which went in and out thereat; for it may be rendered: "the gate of the daughter of many, or of great ones." Near this gate, it seems, were some very excellent and delightful fishpools, to which the eyes of the church are here compared; and by which may be meant, either,
1st, The ministers of the gospel;[4134] who are to the church, as eyes are to the body; for which see chapter 1:15, and these may be compared to fishpools, 1. For their clearness of sight into gospel-truths: it is true, in comparison of that light and knowledge which saints have in glory, they now "see but through a glass darkly;" but yet, with respect to the legal dispensation, in which there was much darkness and obscurity, they may be said to "behold with open face the glory of the Lord;" and their light will still be considerably increased, when the "watchmen shall see eye to eye;" and that will be, "when the Lord shall bring again Zion." 2. Like fishpools full of water, they are filled with "the fullness of the blessing of the gospel of Christ:" the means of grace, the ordinances of the gospel, and particularly the ministry of the word, are in scripture compared to waters (see Isaiah 55:1), where souls are kindly invited, and where they often meet with that which is as refreshing as cold water to a thirsty man; and of this Christ's ministers are full, being filled by him, who "fills all things;" they are not like those, in 2 Peter 2:17, who are said to be "wells without water," but are like "the fishpools in Heshbon," clear and full. 3. They may be compared to those fishpools which were "by the gate of Bathrabbim," because of the multitude of people which flock to, and attend upon their ministry, and which receive benefit more or less thereby; and then more especially will they answer this metaphor, when that prophecy, in Isaiah 2:2, 3, shall have its full accomplishment. 4. The word which is here translated fishpools, comes from a word which signifies to bless, because pools of water were esteemed blessings (see Judges 1:15), and so are ministers of the gospel to the churches of Christ; they are promised by God as such (Jeremiah 3:15), and he sometimes threatens to remove them as such from his churches, when they are grown carnal, lukewarm and indifferent, and do not prize and use such mercies and blessings as they should (see Revelation 2:5). Lord's days, ordinances, and opportunities of hearing the gospel preached, are the only blessings and comforts of life that some enjoy; God gives them "the bread of adversity, and the water of affliction;" this they are sure to have, with this they are fed all the week long; but on Lord's-days, they have sweet and comfortable meals for their souls; and this great blessing God favors them with, though he denies them many temporal ones, which is, that their teachers are not removed into corners, but their eyes behold their teachers; they have Christ's fishpools to come unto. 5. They are like fishpools, whose waters are still, quiet, invariable and constant; and are not like troubled waters, such as false teachers are, who are continually casting up the mire and dirt of their own inventions, and the divers and strange doctrines of men; but these abound with those truths, which, like Christ, the author of them, are "the same yesterday, today, and for ever." Or else,
2dly, By these eyes of the church, may be meant "the eyes of her understanding," which are enlightened by the Spirit of God, particularly those of faith and knowledge; which may be said to be as fishpools, 1. For their perspicuity: faith can behold things clearly, which are invisible to, and are out of the reach of carnal sense and reason, and therefore is called "the evidence of things not seen;" it can look "within the veil," and view an unseen Christ, with all the invisible realities of another world. 2. For their steadiness and unmoveableness: the eye of faith is fixed, not upon the duties, services and performances of the creature; but upon the person, blood and righteousness of Christ; it looks off of all things else alone to him. 3. For their abounding with the tears of gospel-repentance: Jeremy wished that his "head were waters," and his "eyes a fountain of tears:" the believers eyes are so; for repentance is a tear that drops from faith's eye: souls first look, and then they mourn; nor do they ever more so, nor in a better manner, than when they can view their righteousness, peace, and pardon in a bleeding Savior; it is under a sense of this, they both mourn, most and best, both for their own sins, and the sins of others; their eyes are as fishpools, abounding with these waters; "rivers of water run down their eyes, because they keep not God's law," (Psalm 119:136). 4. For the modesty of them: these are not rolling waters, to which wanton and immodest eyes may be compared; but quiet, still and standing ones: faith is a very modest grace; and he that is possessed of it, and has the greatest measure thereof, is the most humble soul; it exalts Christ, magnifies his grace, and gives all the glory to him; it abases the creature, takes away all boasting from him, and ascribes nothing to him; for which reason the church's eyes are also said to be as "doves eyes within her locks." 5. For their proportionable size, exact symmetry, and delightful beauty: perhaps the allusion may be to fishpools;[4135] which, being discerned at some distances between trees or groves, look very sparkling and dazzling; and so did the church's eyes to Christ; with which he seems to be ravished, as he says he was, in 6:9 and 6:5.