31 “You shall make the robe of the ephod all of blue. 32 “There shall be an opening at its top in the middle of it; around its opening there shall be a binding of woven work, like the opening of a coat of mail, so that it will not be torn. 33 “You shall make on its hem pomegranates of blue and purple and scarlet material, all around on its hem, and bells of gold between them all around: 34 a golden bell and a pomegranate, a golden bell and a pomegranate, all around on the hem of the robe. 35 “It shall be on Aaron when he ministers; and its tinkling shall be heard when he enters and leaves the holy place before the LORD, so that he will not die.
It’s interesting that it says here, “so that he will not die.” I’ve always heard it said that the bells were a signal to those outside. If the tinkling sound stopped, they would know that the priest had sin in their life, and could pull him out. Perhaps both are true, and the bells were set in place to be a reminder to the priest before he ever entered God’s presence. A reminder that he must be pure and holy to enter in to the holy of holies. And a reminder of the consequences. Thus, as soon as the priest put the garment with the bells on, he would be reminded to check his heart and life for any impurities, and have the chance to make atonement. So that he would not die. What reminds you to check your heart? We have communion once a month when we do that very thing, but one ought to have something done daily (or more) as a reminder. Keep your heart, mind, and body pure before God, as a pleasing and holy sacrifice to God.