Pomegranates

[Ex. 28:33] And beneath upon the hem of it thou shalt make pomegranates of blue, and of purple, and of scarlet, round about the hem thereof; and bells of gold between them round about:
Pomegranates is a symbol of fruitfulness, it has 613 seeds in it, standing for the 613 Oral Laws. The pomegranate is of exceptional interest by reason of its structure, its history, and its utility. It forms a tree of small stature, or a bush…The fruit consists of a hard leathery rind, enclosing a quantity of pulp derived from the coats of 613 seeds. This pulp, filled as it is with refreshing acid juice, constitutes the chief value of the tree.
The tree, or rather shrub, is but low…the blossoms of bright red or scarlet…the fruit, the glory of the land of Canaan, as big as a large apple…The inside is full of small kernels, replenished with a generous liquor; in short, there is scarcely any part of the pomegranate that does not wonderfully delight and recreate the senses. It is messy to eat – sometimes our live get pretty messy too.
Bells – a symbol of testimony, you’re calling and the intercession of the Messiah. The bells were suspended from the high priest’s blue robe, which symbolized the righteousness of the Messiah. In other words, His ability to intercede for us depends upon His righteousness. His divine work is both shown and sounded out by pure, imperishable gold. 72 bells to be heard when the High Priest went into the Holy Place.
The bells were of gold, and the pomegranates were – blue and purple and scarlet. The pomegranates were made of fragile cloth in colors reminiscent of human weakness. The Scriptures mentions the pomegranate mostly in three places: on Aaron’s robe, on the tops of Solomon’s pillars, and in the Sons of Solomon. So the references to pomegranates are related to the Believers and their growth.
At one Bible study I cut into a firm and perfect looking pomegranate, only to discover all the insides were black and rotten, the group seemed to comprehend the meaning without a word from me.
A bell then a pomegranate, you’re calling then fruit, for two callings together would make too much noise and clash.
Bells and the pomegranates are something more than decorations for next to each symbol of Messiah’s intercession is a symbol of those He died to save. Next to each reminder of the call of
G-d is a reminder of those responding to the call. While our High Priest makes intercession for us in heavenly places, He carries with Him tokens of His lover and His love.
A bell and a pomegranate – your calling and your fruit tokens of your love for Him.
The garments of the High Priest:
He wore a basic garment called ‘linen britches.’ Over that he wore a white robe made out of fine twined Egyptian linen, very much like the silk we have today. Over this he wore a sleeveless blue robe of the ephod. It was not as long as the white linen, because particular instructions were given that it should never touch the ground. On its hem there were golden ells and pomegranates. There were actually golden bells attached there interspersed with pomegranates of blue and purple and scarlet. First there would be a golden bell and then a pomegranate, each pomegranate ran a series of three different colors around his garment.
Pomegranates speak of fruit with its blossom a five-pointed star of Solomon.
Pomegranates and bells speak of sweet sounds and fragrant fruit. There is something to hear and something to taste.
The bells speak of profession, the pomegranates speak of practice.
The bells speak of the calling of the believer; the pomegranates speak of the conduct of the believer.
Pomegranates is a bush with dark green foliage and crimson flowers. The fruit is red when ripe and very juicy. The rind is used in the manufactures of leather. It is a native of Asia. The pillars in Solomon’s Temple were adorned with carved figures of this fruit (! Kg. 7:18-20).
Over all this was the ephod itself. In the middle of it was an opening for the head and half of it would drop down over the body. The names of the tribes on the stones means he carried the 12 tribes of the Israelites on his shoulders. The High Priest wore on his head a miter and on the front it was engraved in solid gold the words
“HOLINESS UNTO THE L-RD”.