II. She says, that her breasts were like towers
II. She says, that her breasts were like towers
Which may in general denote her ripeness for marriage; her breasts were fashioned; were round and plump, and rose up high like towers; she was now marriageable; the time of her being presented as a chaste virgin to Christ, and of her open espousals to him, was come. Or else more particularly,
1st, By her breasts, may be meant the ministers of the gospel; who, like nurses (1 Thessalonians 2:7), give the breast to "newborn babes," and feed them with the " sincere milk of the word;" and, like towers, are set for the defense of the gospel: such ministers the first church among the Gentiles had; whose ministry was not only edifying and nourishing, but they themselves also were faithful, zealous, and courageous in the discharge thereof; and could not be moved, from their station, nor be made to desist from their work, by all the violence and oppression of men. Or else,
2dly, By these breasts, may be meant the two Testaments, the Old and the New; which are both full of the milk of excellent doctrines and precious promises; which are all useful for the comfort, edification and instruction of God's people; and from whence, as from towers, they may be supplied with all needful armor, to repel Satan's temptations, refute, erroneous doctrines, and defend the gospel; and though efforts have been made by Satan and his emissaries to remove them out of the world, yet they still remain impregnable and invincible: now with these breasts the Gentile church is blessed.
3dly, The two ordinances, of baptism and the Lord's supper, may be intended; which are peculiar to the church under the New Testament dispensation; and are as breasts of consolation to believers, especially when they have the presence of Christ in them, and his love at the same time manifested to them; these are like towers, have stood firm and immoveable against all the efforts of men, to, change, deface, subvert and abolish them. The Jews[4304] interpret the wall of the congregation of Israel, and the "breasts as towers," of the synagogues and schools; also the former of the law, and the latter of the scholars.