The Christian "Rope" Theory

Despite having the solid truth of the scripture, it is possible for myths to worm their way into common Bible teaching.  I do not know the motives of those who do so at the first, but the human tendency to parrot stories without critical thought is prevalent.  As a kid I remember being told in Sunday School God was unapproachable in holiness.  This was illustrated by the chief priest wearing bells on his robe so other priests could hear him beyond the veil in the most holy place in the temple.  I was told a rope was tied to an ankle so if there was a prolonged silence (because the priest had offended God and been struck dead!) his corpse could be hauled out without endangering anyone else.  Perhaps you have heard a similar tale?  You might be interested to learn there is no scriptural evidence to support this idea and much which contradicts it.

This morning I read the scripture where God laid out in great detail the clothing of the high priest.  In Exodus 28:33-35 it reads, "And upon its hem you shall make pomegranates of blue, purple, and scarlet, all around its hem, and bells of gold between them all around: ³⁴  a golden bell and a pomegranate, a golden bell and a pomegranate, upon the hem of the robe all around. ³⁵  And it shall be upon Aaron when he ministers, and its sound will be heard when he goes into the holy place before the LORD and when he comes out, that he may not die."  Ministering unto the LORD is a sober business, and God gave commands to what the priest was to wear from the top of his head to the soles of his feet.  God did not always explain why each item was significant, but it would be foolish to add or omit what God commanded.  The Priests carefully followed each command as carefully as a scribes were trained to copy the Torah letter by letter, for their lives depended on it.

In observing the text the alternating pomegranates and bells were important, and when the High Priest moved the bells would make a sound.  God's command was not that the High Priest continually make noise with the bells, but when he walked into the most holy place and out from the presence of the LORD the bells sounded.  The bells were not for the benefit of those outside but the one who ministered.  There is also no suggestion the priest would be struck dead on the spot, for the passage says, "...that he may not die."  I do not know of a single place in scripture where a priest was struck dead as he ministered in the Temple.  I remember King Uzziah was struck with leprosy when he sinned in offering incense in the holy place and was a leper until his death (2 Chron. 26:19).  Zacharias was struck mute in the Temple for his unbelief when he was met by the angel Gabriel who spoke of the son which would be born to his wife (Luke 1:20-22).  There were a lot of shady things done by wicked men who defiled the Tabernacle and Temple, yet I cannot recall one of them who was struck dead in the Temple.  People were struck dead many times in scripture for their transgressions, don't misunderstand.  My point it is a gross misrepresentation to portray God as One who slays His sanctified ones, flawed though they certainly are.  Wasn't the blood of the sacrifice graciously provided by God to cover sin?

There are other reasons why the "rope" theory is without merit.  All the articles of the Temple were to be cleansed and sanctified.  God was very specific about the composition of fabrics, types of wood used, the intricate thread and dye used in the ephod, ingredients for bread and incense, and articles of gold and silver.  Of what materials was this "rope" to be made and how was it to be sanctified?  Would not wearing foreign material tied around the leg in the most holy place be reserved for priests with a death wish?  The picture created is a group of priests listening to the tinkling priest beyond the veil, even as the servants who waited until they were embarrassed outside King Eglon's summer chamber.  Can you imagine the High Priest praying in silence before the Ark of the Covenant and suddenly there was a terrific yank on his ankle?  It would be funny if it was not so ridiculous.  The Levites would have a quick conference in hushed tones:  "We'd better give him a few minutes.  Maybe he's only mostly dead."

As followers of Jesus Christ, it is important we do not parrot teaching or men's interpretations of dubious origin.  A parrot is able to mimic sounds, but these are spoken without understanding.  Praise the LORD He has given us the Holy Spirit, His everlasting Word, and brains to think!  There is a lot I do not understand and questions I cannot answer.  I do not know why pomegranates were chosen over bunches of grapes, or why the bells and pomegranates were in an alternating pattern.  But the Law tells us plainly the bells were important, for refusing to include the bells would cost the High Priest his life.  If those little bells were so critical, how important is it to speak clearly the words of life, not diluting or corrupting them with men's assumptions or commonly used illustrations.  May God open our eyes to rightly divide His Word of truth, and to faithfully hold it forth to impressionable hearts.