The Song of Solomon 7:2, “Thy navel is like a round goblet, which wanteth not liquor: thy belly is like an heap of wheat set about with lilies.”
The Song of Solomon chapter seven declares unto us the lovely words of Solomon as he speaks about his beloved Shulamite. The nearness and intimacy of the words are rich with lessons concerning our Lord and His precious people. As the Bible student reads through the chapter, they should do so with prayer that the Holy Spirit will bless them to see Jesus and His bride in every word.
The belly is often used to tell of a person’s inward affections. Philippians 3:19 references those “whose God is their belly,…” Meaning whatever they want at the time becomes their desire and focus of life. They live for the moment being driven by carnal emotions. Solomon says that the Shulamite “wanteth not…” Now that she is near him, her beloved king, she is not in want, but lives her life displaying peace, love and beauty as a bountiful wheat field set about with blooming lilies.
The verse continues on by teaching “which wanteth not liquor:…” Proverbs 31:6-7 helps us to understand one of the purposes of such liquids, “Give strong drink unto him that is ready to perish, and wine unto those that be of heavy hearts. Let him drink, and forget his poverty, and remember his misery no more.” One of the purposes of strong drink is to suppress the pains associated with the problems of this world. A sedative is used to help an individual bear the pains. If you will recall, they offered Jesus “wine mingled with myrrh” when He was on the Cross, “but he received it not.” The Lord suffered the Cross without any sedative.
Dear child of grace, when we are living our lives near the Lord, the true Prince of Peace, we are able to experience a contentment and satisfaction the goods of this world cannot afford. 1 Timothy 6:6, “But godliness with contentment is great gain.” I’ve always interpreted this verse to teach that someone could live godly without experiencing contentment, but no one will ever experience contentment without living close to God (godliness with contentment). The ability of the Lord to fill is taught throughout scripture. One example is when the Lord took five loaves and two fishes and fed the multitude. John 6:12 tells us “they were filled,…” Our study verse goes on to teach us that, when near to Solomon, the problems of life vanished away from the mind of the Shulamite, she needed not liquor or strong drink. When she was near Solomon, she was content and happy. What’s the lesson for us? If we long for contentment, happiness and peace while living in a cruel and dark world, draw near to Jesus Christ. Isaiah 26:3, “Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee: because he trusteth in thee.”