I am seeing God’s pointing to symbols as never before!  Earlier this week, I posted about the growing popularity of almonds and how they are actually a holy symbol.  As promised, I am reporting on my findings regarding the pomegranate.  This is a another food that has emerged in contemporary culture, touting great health benefits.  There are a large number of biblical references to this unique fruit, and that means that it must point to something important.

The LORD commanded Moses to have skilled men embroider pomegranates of blue, purple, and scarlet on the High Priest’s robe.  This is the garment that Aaron was to wear when he ministered in the Holy Place.  (See Exodus 28:33,34; 39:24-26.)  Pomegranates were one of the seven specimens of fruits and grains that were brought back by the spies to show how fertile the Promised Land was.  (See Numbers 13:23.)  More so, carved figures of pomegranates were the principal ornaments adorning the two stately brass pillars which stood in front of the temple that King Solomon built in Jerusalem.  (See I Kings 7:18,20,42; II Kings 25:17; II Chronicles 3:16;4:13.)

These and other mentions in God’s Word prompted me to purchase my very first pomegranate and consider what He wanted to show me.  Although not a word in God’s book is without meaning, nothing exactly clarifies the meaning of pomegranates in the Bible.  Therefore, the following is my own allegorical conjecture:

• The rich purplish color is suggestive of the royalty of Jesus Christ, our High Priest.
• The hard calyx is crown-like, which is reminiscent of the crown of thorns that was placed upon Jesus’ head.
• The white membrane can be associated with righteousness.
• The juice is blood-red.  The blood of Christ is our access into the Most Holy Place, the very presence of God.

What an eye-opener!  Think of it, a fruit that reminds us of our King, and that we, as His chosen people, are a royal priesthood.  It also made me wonder, could the tree of life in the Garden of Eden have been a pomegranate tree?  It remains a mystery.

At any rate, don’t let the experience of opening and eating pomegranates be a mystery to you.  I will warn you, however, that this is one of the most labor-intensive fruits to consume.  Still, it really is enjoyable.  So go a little wild, and buy a few pomegranates.  In light of the meaning I’ve found this week, I searched for a recipe using both almonds and pomegranates.  So along with the traditional fare, my Thanksgiving Day guests will be served Pomegranate and Almond Rice!  I found what looks to be a tasty (and meaningful) dish here:  http://www.food.com/recipe/Pomegranate-and-Almond-Rice-248880