The book of Exodus records a set of instructions
passed on to Moses in making garments for priestly service. Specific symbols
and objects were chosen, engraved and attached onto the robes in systematic style.
These symbols carried great significance to the priestly office and was
incumbent on the bearer to live up to the robe’s expectation.
In the New testament economy, the death and
resurrection of Jesus availed the priesthood to all believers. Anyone who
professes Christ is automatically enrolled into the office of priesthood and
granted this robe. Ours is of a spiritual nature; it is demonstrated by the
graces and gifting bestowed upon us.
Exo
39:22 And he made the robe of the ephod of woven work, all of blue.
Exo 39:23
And the hole of the robe in the midst thereof, as the hole of a coat of
mail, with a binding round about the hole of it, that it should not be rent.
Exo 39:24
And they made upon the skirts of the robe pomegranates of blue, and
purple, and scarlet, and twined
linen.
Exo 39:25
And they made bells of pure gold, and put the bells between the
pomegranates upon the skirts of the robe round about, between the pomegranates;
Exo 39:26
a bell and a pomegranate, a bell and a pomegranate, upon the skirts of
the robe round about, to minister in; as Jehovah commanded Moses.
Rev 5:9 And they sung a new
song, saying, Thou art worthy to take the book, and to open the seals thereof:
for thou wast slain, and hast redeemed us to God by thy blood out of every
kindred, and tongue, and people, and nation;
Rev
5:10 And hast made us unto our God kings and priests: and we shall reign on the
earth.
A close examination of our scriptural reference above
reveals that the entire hem or lower lining of this garment, had a pomegranate
and a bell full circle. A bell was/is used to produce sound. It speaks about
the gifts and callings upon our lives. Another symbol was a pomegranate. A
pomegranate is a type of fruit common in the middle east. This symbol denotes the
fruit of the Spirit. Now this is where it gets interesting. All round the
garment, there was a bell and a pomegranate in sequence. God ordained and
ordered this pattern because as the priest went back and forth in the temple during
his ministration, the bells on his robe produced sound, but to avoid friction
between bells, a pomegranate was inserted as a cushion.
Ever since we became kingdom citizens and
enrolled into the priestly office of serving God with our lives; He has gone
ahead to add or multiply the gifts upon us; life, health, kids, jobs, favor,
protection and on. These are a type of ‘bell’ on the priestly garment. But watch
this, for every bell, there was a pomegranate (fruit), speaking about the fruit
of praise, worship and thanksgiving.
The spiritual implication is, the pomegranates
that cushioned the bells relate to our daily sacrifice of worship, praise and
thanksgiving that should shroud or accompany the continuous gifts God bestows
upon us. This helps you present a sweet and acceptable offering to God; free of
the poison of complaining, murmuring and unbelief. So that whatever gift (bell)
of service you render in the presence of God and/or on behalf of His people; the
fruit of love, goodness, patience, kindness, self-control, peace, faithfulness,
humility and joy becomes a good absorbent. A bell and a pomegranate, a bell and
a pomegranate.
Friends, examine carefully your priestly robe. Is
it flashy with only bells (gifts) around it and cluttered with a lot of sound,
that doesn’t glorify God but promotes the flesh OR amidst every bell is a tampering
of fruit all round? Let this be your lifetime assignment as you seek to make an
impact in your generation and be a person after God’s heart. God bless you!
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