Exodus 28:31 Make the robe of the ephod entirely of blue cloth, with an opening for the head in its center. There shall be a woven edge like a collar around this opening, so that it will not tear. Make pomegranates of blue, purple and scarlet yarn around the hem of the robe, with gold bells between them. The gold bells and the pomegranates are to alternate around the hem of the robe. Aaron must wear it when he ministers. The sound of the bells will be heard when he enters the Holy Place before the LORD and when he comes out, so that he will not die. [New International translation]
Summary:
When Moses dispatched the twelve spies to explore the Promised Land, in addition to a single cluster of grapes, which two of the spies had to carry between two poles, the spies also brought back some figs and some pomegranates. See Numbers 13:23.
Pomegranates were a fruit that was prized by the Egyptians, who considered it fruit symbolizing prosperity. When, Aaron, Moses' brother became the first high priest of Israel, GOD tells Moses to stitch a pattern of bells and pomegranates onto Aaron's ephod. Martyn Barrows in "The High Priest and His Garments," describes the ephod:
The Ephod is the apron-like garment worn by the high priest. It was made in four colours: blue, purple, scarlet and the white of the fine linen. These are the same colours that can be seen at the Door to the Outer Court, the Door to the Sanctuary and in the Veil; they refer to Christ as He is revealed in the four gospels. There is an important additional feature of the Ephod, though: gold thread (cut from gold plate) was interwoven with the other colours (Exodus 39:3). Gold is not only precious, it implies 'of God, divine and heavenly'.
See, "The High Priest and His Garments" by Martyn Barrows. Barrows goes on to state that:
The Robe was made entirely of blue. It had a hem, attached to which were pomegranate motifs (in blue, purple and scarlet), with golden bells alternating in between the pomegranates. The golden bells were an audible announcement of the high priest's service, a beautiful sound, backed up by beautiful fruits, the pomegranates. This same balance of words and deeds we find in the Lord Jesus (Luke 24:19).
Another writer has stated that the pomegranates also represent the fruit of THE HOLY SPIRIT (i.e. love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control (Galations 5:22-23[ Living Bible])) and that the bells represent the gift of THE HOLY SPIRIT. See, Dennis Mann, www.chrisitan-formum.net. This suggests that the fruit and the gift of THE HOLY SPIRIT are both necessary for effective ministry. The HOLY SPIRIT will teach us what to say. See, Luke 12:12. The HOLY SPIRIT will show us, teach us and guide us to do what HE would have us to do. See, John 16:13 and 1Cor. 2:10.
Health Benefits of Pomegranates
There are numerous articles and studies regarding the health benefits of eating pomegranates or drink pomegranate juice. According to www.Sixwise.com, some of the benefits of eating pomegranates include the following:
- Rich in Disease-Fighting Antioxidants
Pomegranate juice may contain close to three times the antioxidants as green tea or red wine. Antioxidants fight against free radicals -- unstable molecules that can damage DNA and cell membranes. This cellular damage has been linked to all kinds of diseases including cancer. - Protect Your Heart
A study published in Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences found that pomegranate juice combats hardening of the arteries and related diseases like heart attacks and strokes. It seems to limit the genetic tendency toward hardening of the arteries. - Fight Breast Cancer
Israeli researchers found that pomegranate seed oil causes breast cancer cells to self-destruct, while leaving healthy cells unharmed. [See, also www.webmd.com, Pomegranates May Fight Breast Cancer, Phytochemicals in Pomegranates Stop Growth of Breast Cancer Tumors in Study by Jennifer Warner, WebMD Health News.] - Keep Prostate Cancer From Returning
A study found that pomegranate juice may help fight the return of prostate cancer among men who have had surgery or radiation for the disease. In fact, among 48 such men who drank 8 ounces of pomegranate juice each day until their prostate cancer progressed:
- The juice significantly lengthened the time it took for the men's average PSA levels (a gauge of prostate cancer progression) to double.
- None of the men developed cancer that spread beyond the prostate during the study.
5. Help Lower Bad Cholesterol
Antioxidants in pomegranates have been found to reduce the oxidation of LDL (bad)
cholesterol in mice, according to a study in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition.
6. Lower Blood Pressure
A study also found that pomegranates help lower blood pressure among people with
hypertension.
7. Get Your Nutrients
One pomegranate has about 40 percent of the recommended daily vitamin C requirement
for adults, along with folic acid, fiber, potassium, niacin and vitamins A and E.
Pomegranate seeds may be added to vegetable salads, fruit salads, eaten directly as a snack or garnish or the juice can be mixed with other juices (e.g. apple juice). However, the benefits of drinking and eating pomegranates have to be weighed against the juice's high sugar content. With almost 30 grams of sugar, a glass of pomegranate juice has more sugar than an equal size serving of some soft drink beverages! So, drink very small amounts. You may even want to consider watering the juice down.
WebMD notes that pomegranates might affect blood pressure and may even affect blood pressure control during and after surgery; therefore, WebMD recommends stopping taking pomegranate at least 2 weeks prior to a scheduled surgery. WebMD also cautions and warns that it is not known if other forms of pomegranate, such as pomegranate extracts, are safe. You should always consult your own personal physician if you have concerns about any product that claims to be a pomegranate extract.
Bells and Pomegranates
Like the stitching of alternating pattern of bells and pomegranates on the hem of a high priest's robe, making sure that our words match our deeds is no small task. It is so easy to "talk the talk" and not "walk the walk." It is so much easier to talk about exercising than to actually get up or set aside time and actually exercise. It is easier to talk about completing the "to do" list than to systematically and thoroughly complete all the tasks.
Similarly, saying that we have a relationship with GOD, calling ourselves a Christian and a servant of GOD is one thing. Taking the time and steps to develop or further a relationship with GOD and actually serving GOD and others is something else.
GOD has given us a mind, a body and gifts. But, we have to use them. We have to steward them. And, we have to allow THE HOLY SPIRIT to activate them.
Every Wednesday is a day we can add another "bell and pomegranate" pattern to our "spiritual robes." We are blessed to have had that opportunity on many, many days. Let's remember to give thanks.
Let's rededicate and consecrate ourselves (in mind, body and spirit) to GOD's service.
Let the HOLY SPIRIT guide and activate your day, and Be Blessed.
