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:
Aaron, Moses brother, was the first high priest of Israel. In Exodus 28 Aaron is consecrated by GOD for the priesthood. Aaron is set apart for the sacred and high purpose of serving GOD. GOD tells Moses to have sacred clothing made for Aaron to lend dignity to his work to GOD. The garments were to set Aaron apart from all others. There was a breast piece, an ephod, a robe, a coat, a turban and a sash. In Exodus 28:31 GOD tells Moses to have the tailors make the robe out of blue cloth. Along the hem of the robe, the tailor was to stitch a pattern of bells and pomegranates. According to Martyn Barrows:
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).
Id. Other commentaries and writers on these verses in Exodus believe that the pomegranates were to be a reminder to the people of the fruitfulness of promise land and of God’s promises and faithfulness to the people. In ancient times, the pomegranate was also regarded as a symbol of fertility and eternal life. See, Harper’s Bible Dictionary, Paul J. Achtemeier (1985). Others have stated that the bells represented God’s mercy in allowing a priest to minister on their behalf in the holy place. See, The Bible Knowledge Commentary, John F. Walvoord and Roy B. Zuck.
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 (Galatians 5:22-23[ Living Bible])) and that the bells represent the gift of THE HOLY SPIRIT. According to this writer, the fact that the pomegranates and bells are alternating means that both (the gifts and THE HOLY SPIRIT) are necessary for effective ministry. See Dennis Mann, www.christian-formum.net.
Health Benefits of Pomegranates
There have been numerous articles and studies regarding the health benefits of eating pomegranates or drinking 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 Osteoarthritis
Pomegranate extract may be useful in fighting osteoarthritis, according to a study at Case Western Reserve University, published in The Journal of Nutrition. In lab tests, the extract:
• Cut levels of an inflammatory chemical called interleukin-1b (IL-1b).
• Stopped enzymes that erode cartilage. - 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. - 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. - Lower Blood Pressure
A study also found that pomegranates help lower blood pressure among people with hypertension. - 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. - Protection for Newborns
A study published in Pediatric Research found that drinking pomegranate juice during pregnancy helped protect newborns' brains during traumatic births. [Pregnant women should always check with their own doctor about the risks or benefits of foods during pregnancy.] - 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.]
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.
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
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.
Today, walk the walk. Today, talk the talk. Allow THE HOLY SPIRIT to activate your gifts. Consecrate yourself for GOD’s service. See, Romans 12:1.
Pray we give GOD our best and BE BLESSED.
