The Brilliance & Preeminence of Christ
Song of Solomon 5:10, "My beloved is white and ruddy, the chiefest among ten thousand."
It is important to recognize how the bride is captivated by the bridegroom. Love captivates the mind, the emotions, the affections, and devotion. The bride begins by describing the place the bridegroom has in her heart, she calls him "My beloved..." Earlier in this Song we read, "My beloved is mine, and I am his..." (Song of Solomon 2:16) The songwriter, Norman J. Clayton, wrote in his song, "Now I belong to Jesus, Jesus belongs to me, Not for the years of time alone, But for eternity." He is my beloved, and I am His!!!!
Next, he is described as "white and ruddy." The ancient writers often spoke of a healthy and captivating complexion in this way. The word translated "white" has the meaning of being dazzling, glowing, clear, and/or bright. The word "ruddy" speaks of the redness of the cheeks. David was described as ruddy and of a beautiful countenance, in 1 Samuel 16:12, and again, in 1 Samuel 17:42, "ruddy, and of a fair countenance."
Finally, he is described as the "chiefest among ten thousand." Barnes comments on this phrase saying, he was "a bannered one among a myriad;" hence one signalized, a leader of ten thousand warriors. A man of great reputation, one who stands out among the myriad of others. Certainly, one would agree that the one we love as our life mate stands out among the myriads of others. And also, spiritually, as I think of Jesus the is none as fair and distinguished. Gill writes, "[Jesus] is superior to men, good and bad, high and low; Lord of all, King of kings, and Head of saints, and has the preeminence over all creatures. The Septuagint version states He is, "chosen out of" or "from ten thousand"; Christ, like man, is chosen of God, from among the myriads of the individuals of human nature, to union with the divine Word." Christ is God in the flesh.
May we celebrate the preeminence of Christ as the chiefest among ten thousand.
Your Friend and HIS,
Pastor Abbott
Meditations
1. Does Jesus stand-alone in brilliance and preeminence in your life? Describe what that means to you?
2. Jesus is described as being King of kings, and Lord of lords in 1 Timothy 6:15. What is being emphasized in that statement?
3. Do you belong to Christ? If so, what does that do to encourage you?