I’ve been contemplating this for a while. This year when I began my Bible in a Year I decided to google everything I didn’t understand rather than just moving onwards as I may have done on other occasions. Some things previously I would just gloss over and take for granted. Cue lots of googling Hebrew names and seeing why people were named as they were etc. When I came upon the first mention of the pomegranate in Exodus 28:33-34 God was telling Moses what the priestly robes should look like for them to wear whenever they ministered before the LORD.
“Make pomegranates out of blue, purple, and scarlet yarn, and attach them to the hem of the robe, with gold bells between them. The gold bells and pomegranates are to alternate all around the hem.”
The bells (some believe) to symbolise the warning of approaching His holiness, I guess if they stopped hearing bells or there was a loud clatter they knew the priests had died in the holiness of God’s presence. But what about the pomegranates? There are some theories that the fruit that Adam and Eve ate in the garden of Eden was a pomegranate, however I won’t get into that as it’s just speculation, but there’s a whole other story in there if that is true. Wearing a symbol of the original sin that they are going into God’s presence to atone for on behalf of the people. Makes sense I guess. Anyway, I digress.
The pomegranate seems to have a lot of connotations for a lot of different religions, if you type into google “what is the spiritual significance of a pomegranate in the Bible?” you will find a lot of information about what they mean to Hindus, Muslims, Buddhists and to the Jews. They are a symbol of righteousness to the Jews and they also consume them at Jewish New Year one seed at a time.
You’ll find them mentioned throughout scripture. In the instructions of how to build and decorate the temple 1 Kings 7:18
“He also encircled the latticework with two rows of pomegranates to decorate the capitals over the pillars.”
They are mentioned when God is bringing His people into the promised land. Deuteronomy 8:7-8
“For the LORD your God is bringing you into a good land of flowing streams and pools of water, with fountains and springs that gush out in the valleys and hills. It is a land of wheat and barley; of grapevines, fig trees, and pomegranates; of olive oil and honey.”
This shows us that they are seen as a good thing. Moses is telling the people about the blessings that God has lined up before them.
What I find interesting about the pomegranate is it’s symbolism of fruitfulness, it’s a bit battered on the outside, but no flesh, just seeds to give out.
Let’s ruminate around that for a while….. no flesh… just seeds.
Today I was reading Romans 12 and it made me think back to the pomegranate.
“And so dear brothers and sisters, I plead with you to give your bodies to God because of all He has done for you. Let them be a living and holy sacrifice - the kind He will find acceptable. This is truly the way to worship Him. Don’t copy the behaviour and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God’s will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect.
Because of the privilege and authority God has given me, I give each of you this warning. Don’t think you are better than you really are. Be honest in your evaluation of yourselves, measuring yourselves by the faith God has given us. Just as our bodies have many parts and each part has a special function, so it is with Christ’s body. We are many parts of one body, and we all belong to each other.
In His grace, God has given us different gifts for doing certain things well. So if God has given you the ability to prophesy, speak out with as much faith as God has given you. If your gift is serving others, serve them well. If you are a teacher, teach well. If your gift is to encourage others, be encouraging. If it is giving, give generously. If God has given you leadership ability, take the responsibility seriously. And if you have a gift for showing kindness to others, do it gladly.” Romans 12:1-8
It goes on about how to really love people with genuine affection (v 9), to bless those who persecute you (v 14), to not take revenge (v 19) but instead to give to your enemies (v 20). When I read this chapter all I see are examples of how to give out to people (seeds) and how to crucify our flesh. (Galatians 5:24)
“Those who belong to Christ Jesus have nailed the passions and desires of their sinful nature to His cross and crucified them there.”
A verse that is found after which passage? Describing the fruits of the Holy Spirit (Galatians 5:22-23)
“But the Holy Spirit produces this kind of fruit in our lives: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. There is no law against these things!”
I am being challenged more and more as I am reading God’s word to deal with my flesh. The sinful human nature that we all possess. Romans 3: 10-13
“No one is righteous -
Not even one.
No one is truly wise;
No one is seeking God.
All have turned away;
All have become useless.
No one does good,
Not a single one.”
“Their talk is foul, like the stench from and open grave.
Their tongues are filled with lies.”
“Snake venom drips from their lips.”
The bible tells us that all have sinned and fallen short (Romans 3:23). Paul talks about how even he does what he doesn't want to and he doesn't do the things he knows he should. Romans 7:15
“I don’t really understand myself, for I want to do what is right, but I don’t do it. Instead, I do what I hate.”
This is our sinful nature, our fleshly ways, our earthly desires.
I myself am currently being challenged continually to believe the best in people, 1 Corinthians 13:7 (AMP)
“Love bears all things [regardless of what comes], believes all things [looking for the best in each one], hopes all things [remaining steadfast during difficult times], endures all things [without weakening].”
to deal with bitterness, Ephesians 4:31
“Get rid of all bitterness, rage, anger, harsh words, and slander, as well as all types of evil behaviour.”
to stop with the ‘woe is me’ thoughts when depression tries to rear it’s ugly head. Psalm 13:1-3
“O LORD, how long will you forget me? Forever?
How long will You look the other way?
How long must I struggle with anguish in my soul,
With sorrow in my heart every day?
How long will my enemy have the upper hand?
Turn and answer me, O LORD my God! Restore the sparkle to my eyes, or I will die.”
God is challenging me through the pomegranate. There’s no room for the flesh. If I want to be fruitful for Him and His Kingdom, it is all about the seeds.
When someone hurts you and you choose to believe the best, that it wasn’t their intention and you forgive them, you are saying no to the flesh and yes to the seeds. If that person is not a believer, how much more is that showing the character of Jesus to them? Who knows what will come of that seed that you have planted? I am not saying this to make anyone feel under condemnation (Romans 8:1)
“So now there is no condemnation for those who belong to Christ Jesus.”
The Holy Spirit doesn’t want to make us feel bad or guilty, He gently challenges and nudges us when He knows we are able to make those seemingly small but huge changes that reflect His character more than our own.
N.B As an abuse survivor I also feel it’s important to say that you shouldn’t feel you need to keep putting yourself into dangerous situations to show God’s character to an abuser. We need to believe in the best of people but when someone has shown you repeatedly who they are, you have to protect yourself, speak to someone you trust and ask for help. I could write a whole other blog post on this but I won’t go into it now as it would detract. However, it is a delicate and dangerous thing coming out from under an abusive relationship. Seek wisdom and tread carefully. Our miracle working God can restore anything, just make sure you put yourself in a safe place while He outworks things.
I could go on with so many examples of small ways we can deal with our flesh and leave room for the seeds to be in our lives. There are many things God is dealing with in me. I start to get to a place where I feel like I’m doing ok, and He says “what about this, child?” “come up higher” “I’m preparing you for the next thing I have for you to do”. I guess the point is, what do you feel Him challenging you to do? Is there any flesh that you need to get rid of to make room for the seeds? If you can’t think of anything (don’t worry the Holy Spirit is good at showing us when it’s the right time) then look at that list in Romans 12 again (v 4 onwards), what has He given you to do? What gifts do you have? Go on, get spreading those seeds.