Exodus 28:31-35 And you shall make the robe of the ephod all of blue.… The third peculiar garment of the high priest was the robe of the ephod (vers. 5, 31). On the skirts of which were fastened — 1. The pomegranates of blue silk, and purple, and scarlet round about. This fruit hath a most pleasant smell, sweet in itself, and sweetening other things round about it; and is full of precious juice and liquor. 2. Bells of gold between them round about, a golden bell and a pomegranate; the use of which was, that his sound might be heard round about when he went into the sanctuary and holy of holies. The whole garment signified the righteousness of Christ's human nature, which is — (1) Most sweet itself, having a most pleasant savour as the pomegranate. (2) Full of most precious juice and virtue, to qualify and abate the raging heat of God's displeasure, as the juice of pomegranates doth allay the burning heat of an ague that would shake the body to pieces. (3) Casts upon us a sweet savour being wrapped in it. For we, by nature, stinking in our sins and rottenness, are loathsome to the Lord; but once covered with this mantle, we are a sweet savour to God. 3. This garment hath a sweet sound, as of golden bells, which to hear were most delectable, because the garment of Christ's righteousness brings grace to us no otherwise than by the sound of the gospel. For faith, by which we put on Christ, is wrought by hearing the sweet sound and golden bell of the gospel. Whence some have thought, that by this part of the priest's attire, is shadowed the prophetical office of Christ. Sweet is the proclamation of the gospel of peace! 4. The use. That by these bells the priests must be heard when he goeth into the sanctuary; signifying the power of Christ, our High Priest's, perpetual intercession (being entered into the sanctuary of heaven) for His elect and chosen. (T. Taylor, D. D.) Parallel Verses KJV: And thou shalt make the robe of the ephod all of blue. |
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