“You shall make the robe of the ephod all of blue. It shall have an opening for the head in the middle of it, with a woven binding around the opening, like the opening in a garment, so that it may not tear. On its hem you shall make pomegranates of blue and purple and scarlet yarns, around its hem, with bells of gold between them, a golden bell and a pomegranate, a golden bell and a pomegranate, around the hem of the robe. And it shall be on Aaron when he ministers, and its sound shall be heard when he goes into the Holy Place before the Lord, and when he comes out, so that he does not die. (Ex 28:31-35 ESV)
This detail caught my attention the other day. I believe it communicates something of the heart of God. The fact that the hem of Aaron the hight-priest's garment was covered in bells and pomegranates, speaks, I believe, about what should happen wherever people who have stood in the presence of God go.
How beautiful upon the mountains are the feet of him who brings good news, who publishes peace, who brings good news of happiness, who publishes salvation, who says to Zion, “Your God reigns.” (Isa 52:7 ESV)
The fact that Aaron feet were surrounded by bells meant that wherever he went there was a proclamation. He could not keep his presence secret. He could not hide his identity. He could not keep quiet. We have "beautiful feet" to proclaim God's good news wherever we go. Like Aaron, we should not, we cannot keep silent. [I'm preaching to myself!]
The fact that Aaron's feet were surrounded by pomegranates (a fruit that is bursting with seed) shows that wherever we go we have an abundance of seed to sow, that will produce fruit.
Have a fruitful weekend for his Kingdom! (Jos 1:3)
3 comments:
wow! that was an amazing post. I had always looked at this passage with the view of the unapproachability of God in the Old Covenant but what you have written is so true!!
if we're so full of the Holy Spirit, we wont be able to help spilling Him over!
Thanks, Anna.
Here's another verse that sums it up nicely:
"We cannot but speak of what we have seen and heard." (Ac 4:20 ESV)
This is an amazing passage that Ern Baxter picks up on as well in his series of sermons on the "Priestly Clothing" - that will shortly be online!
He notes that the golden bells lining the high priest's robe carried a distinct purpose similar to that of the baptism of the Holy Spirit. That when the gathered masses outside the Tabernacle heard the sound of the golden bells, they knew that the blood had been accepted before the Father. Just so, when we are baptised in the Holy Spirit, we hear "a sound from heaven" - telling us that our High Priest's blood has been accepted and we have an Advocate with the Father!
Awesome. Thanks for reminding me of that!
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