Section 729
II. The church's breasts in particular are commended by Christ, and compared to "clusters of grapes"
This part has been already commended in chapter 4:5, and is repeated in verse 3 of this chapter; but here a different metaphor is made use of; there they are compared to "two young roes that are twins," here to "clusters of grapes"; The word grapes is not in the Hebrew text; though the Targum supplies it, as our Translators do: R. Ahen Ezra thinks, that clusters of the vine are meant, which might be planted by, and run up upon the palm-tree; though I should rather think, that "clusters of dates," the fruit of the palm-tree itself, are here intended; especially seeing this fruit, as Pliny[4179] observes, grows in clusters, hanging upon the shoots, like bunches of grapes: moreover, her breasts are compared to: "clusters of the vine," in the following verse; and it does not appear so probable, that Christ should use the same metaphor, to commend the same part in two verses together. What we are to understand by the church's breasts, has been shown on chapter 4:5, but seeing a different metaphor is made use of here, it may not be improper to observe the agreement between them, And,
1st, By her breasts may be meant the ministers of the gospel. R. Solomon Jarchi would have Daniel, Hananiah, Misheel and Azariah, here understood who were as breasts to others in captivity: but it is much better to understand them of gospel-ministers; who not only direct men where they may have food, invite them to it, and dissuade them from every thing that would be pernicious to them; but also feed them themselves, with "the sincere milk of the word", and bread of life; they rightly divide "or cut the word of truth" and, as wise and faithful stewards, give to every one their portion of meat in due season. These may be compared to clusters, either of grapes or dates, 1. Because of their number: it is a great mercy to the churches of Christ, when there are plenty of gospel-ministers; Christ advised his disciples to pray for it, because the "harvest was plenteous," and laborers were but few (Matthew 9:37, 38). 2. Because of their unity, likeness and agreement; for though they have gifts and grace differing from each other, one has more than another has; yet they have one and the same commission, and preach one and the same Christ as the only way of salvation, though they may not be attended with equal success. 3. Like dusters of dates, the fruit of the palm-tree, they are the fruit of the church; and such are the best ministers, who are educated and brought up in churches, and approved and sent out by them. Or else,
2dly, By the church's breasts may be meant, the Old and New Testaments; which, like breasts, are full of the "milk of the word;" than which, no two breasts are more like one another; like the two cherubim upon the mercy-seat, they look towards each other: these may be compared to clusters, because there are in them clusters of excellent doctrines and precious promises; there are not only here and there a berry, but clusters of them; which being pressed and squeezed by hearing, reading, meditation and prayer, yield both delight and nourishment to men. Or else,
3dly, By them may be meant the ordinances of baptism and the Lord's supper, which are "breasts of consolation" to believers; and when they have the presence of Christ in them, and the discoveries of his love to them, then they are not "dry breasts;" they cannot say, they have "no cluster to eat; " but as when there is "new wine found in the cluster," and one saith, "destroy it not, for a blessing is in it," (Isaiah 65:8), so have they much pleasure, satisfaction and delight therein: and the church's breasts being thus like clusters full in themselves are also delightful and beautiful in Christ's eye, and therefore are thus commended by him.