Exodus 28:31-38
We now come to the robe of the ephod which was “all of blue.” It is not hard to remember what the blue speaks to us about, for we look up into the blue sky so often. We know too of that blessed One, our Great High Priest, who came down from heaven and who has now gone back to heaven having accomplished redemption, and is pleading for us there. It was specially mentioned that this robe was not to be rent, for how carefully the Spirit of God would guard the Person of Christ. There was no place where His coat was joined, for the Lord Jesus was perfect God and perfect man at the same time. God did not allow even His enemies to rend His robe. (John 19:23, 24.)
On the border of this robe there were golden bells, and pomegranates of blue and purple and scarlet. We are told about the pomegranates first because’ the Lord Jesus first bore fruit for God and accomplished redemption as man clown here, before testimony could be borne to His finished work. In the next verse, however, the golden bells come first, then the pomegranates, for this is the way we lay hold of it. We hear the glorious testimony to Christ’s finished work, like the sounding of the golden bells on the priest’s robe, and then we are brought into the fruit of it by faith.
There is also a practical lesson for us in all this, for on the high priest’s garments there were an equal number of bells and pomegranates. In the Lord Jesus’ life as man down here, His walk and talk corresponded perfectly. He lived out everything He taught. With us however it is not always so, for our life is not always up to our talk, though it should be. Then too the golden bells come first here, reminding us that if we make some new acquaintances we should sound the bell of testimony first. This is all the battle, for the moment we confess the Lord we find ourselves in the right company at once. The world does not want us if we confess Him, but as soon as we have taken our stand, the Lord gives special strength to live for Him. If we would always do this when starting to a new school, or to work in a new shop or office, it would make things far easier for us. Let us run our colors good and high so that others may know that we belong to Christ then seek to live for Him before them. Fruit does not make any noise, hut we all enjoy it, and how good it is to see the fruit of the Spirit in the lives of Christians.
The next part of the high priest’s garments of which we are told is the mitre. On it was a golden plate upon which was engraved “HOLINESS TO THE LORD.” It hung upon Aaron’s forehead, for he was to bear the iniquity of Israel’s holy things in all their holy gifts. What a lesson for us! Even when we who are Christians really try to please the Lord and do what is right, we fail so often. Then sometimes we do a right thing in a wrong way, but the Lord knows all, and in our prayers, praises, and service to Him, only what is pleasing to God reaches His ear, because of our Great High Priest who wears the “mitre” for us. May this encourage us to open our mouths to speak His praises, even though we do it in a very faltering way!
ML 02/19/1950