My beloved is white and ruddy, the chiefest among ten thousand (Song of Solomon 5:10).
When King David, in an hour of national emergency, determined to lead his army in battle against Absalom and his rebels, his own loyal followers vigorously protested, saying, “Thou shalt not go forth … thou art worth ten thousand of us” (2 Samuel 18:3). If it were possible for us to muster a group of ten thousand worthies, including the greatest leaders, potentates, celebrities, principalities, governors, dignitaries, supervisors, legislators, presidents, emperors, kings, princes, lords, and rulers, we should find that the one of chiefest dignity, noblest rank and fairest countenance of all would be our blessed Lord and beloved Savior, Messiah JesusJesus Christ (Ephesians 1:21).
No mortal can with Him compare,
Among the sons of men,
Fairer is He than all the fair
That fill the heavenly train.
Messiah JesusChrist is more winsome than any language can possibly convey. The tongues of men and of angels falter when attempting to describe the transporting sight of a transfigured Savior, such as overwhelmed the three disciples on the mount. We need to be stirred to a state of rapture, fired with a burning heart to a degree of holy ecstasy, so that our souls can mount up with wings as eagles to behold in the highest and holiest the Chiefest among Ten Thousand. Lord, reveal Thyself that we may behold Thy beauty in the sanctuary with its dignity and glory, until our enraptured hearts burst forth into songs of adoring gratitude, and we bless Thy holy Name in ceaseless praise.
Messiah JesusChrist is chiefest in the comeliness of His personality, in the winsomeness of His character, in the sweetness of His disposition and in the loveliness of His divine nature. No one is more acceptable in graciousness of manner, or more affable in affectionate kindness than this blessed and only potentate, the King of kings and Lord of lords. Our Superior is also chiefest in praise, power and perfection; for His is the purest of the holy, the strongest of the mighty and the brightest of the resplendent. He is chiefest as Creator of adoring angels, as Possessor of amazing world, as Maker of astounding stars and as Designer of abiding glories.
What then shall we render to the Lord for His benefits and blessings? Shall we bring an offering of metal or money, fruits or fabrics, gems or gifts? Why, all such things are perishables. What does He regard most from His redeemed ones? The heart’s love and loyalty, the mind’s admiration and worship and the will’s submission with self-abnegating service. These attitudes and activities are of more value to Him than all the mass of material things we may bring.
The more we contemplate Him the loftier and lovelier He becomes, until His personal attributes expand into a whole world of worthiness, a paradise of perfections, a constellation of comeliness and a galaxy of glory. Amazing thought, that He should condescend to bear our sin, our shame and our dishonor (Psalm 69:19).1
1 Charles J. Rolls, The Indescribable Christ: Names and Titles of Jesus Christ: A-G (Loizeaux Brothers, 1984).
Make this your personal prayer:
If it were possible to muster a group of ten thousand worthies, including the greatest leaders, potentates, celebrities, principalities, governors, dignitaries, supervisors, legislators, presidents, emperors, kings, princes, lords, and rulers, I would find that the one of chiefest dignity, noblest rank, and fairest countenance of all would be you Jesus, my blessed Lord, beloved Savior, and Messiah. (Ephesians 1:21).
No mortal can with you compare,
Among the sons of men,
Fairer are you than all the fair
That fill the heavenly train.
Messiah Jesus you are more cheerful and lighthearted than any language can possibly convey. The tongues of men and of angel’s falter when attempting to describe the transporting sight of you as my transfigured Savior, such as overwhelmed the three disciples on the mount. Help me be stirred to a state of rapture, fired with a burning heart to a degree of holy ecstasy, so that my soul can mount up with wings as eagles to behold in the highest and holiest the Chiefest among Ten Thousand. Lord, reveal yourself that I may behold your beauty in the sanctuary with its dignity and glory, until my enraptured heart bursts forth into songs of adoring gratitude, and bless your holy Name in ceaseless praise.
Messiah Jesus you are chiefest in graciousness of personality, in cheerful childlike character, in sweetness of disposition and in loveliness of divine nature. No one is more acceptable in graciousness of manner, or more affable in affectionate kindness than you the blessed and only potentate, the King of kings and Lord of lords. As my Superior you are also chiefest in praise, power, and perfection; for you are the purest of the holy, the strongest of the mighty and the brightest of the resplendent. Jesus you are chiefest as Creator of adoring angels, as Possessor of amazing world, as Maker of astounding stars and as Designer of abiding glories.
What then shall I render to you for your benefits and blessings? Shall I bring an offering of metal or money, fruits or fabrics, gems or gifts? Why, all such things are perishables. What do you regard most from me a redeemed one? My heart’s love and loyalty, my mind’s admiration and worship and my will’s submission with self-sacrificing service. These attitudes and activities are of more value to you than all the mass of material things I may bring.The more I contemplate you Jesus the loftier and lovelier you become, until your personal attributes expand into a whole world of worthiness, a paradise of perfections, a constellation of comeliness and a galaxy of glory. It amazes me that you should condescend to bear my sin, my shame, and my dishonor (Psalm 69:19).