Exodus 28:31-35
31 “You shall make the robe of the ephod all of blue. 32 There shall be an opening for his head in the middle of it; it shall have a woven binding all around its opening, like the opening in a coat of mail, so that it does not tear. 33 And upon its hem you shall make pomegranates of blue, purple, and scarlet, all around its hem, and bells of gold between them all around: 34 a golden bell and a pomegranate, a golden bell and a pomegranate, upon the hem of the robe all around. 35 And it shall be upon Aaron when he ministers, and its sound will be heard when he goes into the holy place before the Lord and when he comes out, that he may not die.
After the linen undergarments and the linen tunic, the priest would put on the blue robe of the ephod. This robe was seamlessly woven from one fabric, and it was slipped on over the head. It was worn over the linen tunic, and it was slightly shorter, so the linen tunic would protrude at the bottom. The neck of this robe was fortified to protect it from accidentally tearing. The Jews had a custom of tearing their garments and putting on sackcloth upon the death of a relative. The high priests’ garments were holy and sacred and were not to be torn even upon the death of a relative.
Leviticus 21:10 NKJV
10 ‘He who is the high priest among his brethren, on whose head the anointing oil was poured and who is consecrated to wear the garments, shall not uncover[a] his head nor tear his clothes;
This signified that his emotions cannot overrule his ministry before God and to the people.
At the bottom of the robe were pomegranates of blue, purple, and scarlet all around its hem and bells of gold between them all around. These are the bells that the people would hear when the high priest entered the holy of holies, and they would know all was OK because there was movement.
The blue colour of the robe is the colour of the heavenliness, representing the perfect heavenliness of Christ. The robe speaks of authority because it is a kingly dress.
The bells and fruit at the bottom of the robe signify fruitfulness and testimony. The sound of the bells was a testimony that the priest was acceptable in the presence of the Lord. The bible says that the saints overcame the enemy by the blood of the lamb and the word of their testimony. God calls us to be fruitful in fact, he desires that we produce much fruit. Our testimony should not just be mere words, but rather it should be accompanied by fruit.
Reflections
- What’s your favourite colour and why?
- How do you handle negative emotions that would propel you towards neglect of your ministry or sin?
- What is your testimony and do you have fruit to confirm your testimony?
