(30) Wherefore the LORD God of Israel saith, I said indeed that thy house, and the house of thy father, should walk before me forever: but now the LORD saith, Be it far from me; for them that honour me I will honour, and they that despise me shall be lightly esteemed.
Certain it is, that in the first grant of the priesthood to Aaron the grant was conditional. And it is remarkable, that Eli was descended from Aaron's youngest son, Ithamar, and not Eleazar his eldest. But no notice is taken in the sacred history, how it had been transferred from the family of Eleazar to that of Ithamar's family, as in the case of Eli it must have been done. But I conceive that an infinitely higher object the Holy Ghost hath in view, in the expression contained in this verse, and that it is meant to convey the total abolition of the Levitical dispensation, by the introduction of the gospel in the Lord Jesus. He is indeed the great High Priest, who hath duly honored his Father's righteous law, and as such, Jehovah is engaged to honor him. And all his sons are thereby made kings and priests to God and the Father. Sweetest Jesus! thou art a priest forever, and of an everlasting priesthood. And thou makest the offerings of thy people precious, in thy salvation; for thou art both the priest, and the offering, and the altar, which sanctifieth the gift.