Jeremiah 33 Footnotes

33:16-18 This passage promises that there will always be a descendant of David on the throne in Israel (2Sm 7:12-16) and a descendant of Levi as priest. God’s promises are always conditional in some way, whether or not the condition is stated. Although the original promise of the endurance of David’s dynasty was not contingent upon the obedience of his descendants (2Sm 7:14), it was contingent upon there being an entity over which the dynasty would rule. In the same way, the endurance of the Levitical priesthood depended on the existence of an entity in which the priests would serve. Because of the community’s unfaithfulness and resistance to the Lord, both entities ceased to exist. The kingdom came to an end with the exile, and any leadership role for the Davidic dynasty drops from the historical record after Zerubbabel (Hg 2:23). In the same way, the Levitical priesthood ended with the destruction of the temple in AD 70 and the cessation of its ceremonies. This text does not promise an unbroken line from the time of David and Aaron until eternity; it says that “in those days” there will be an enduring king and priest. The time of which Jeremiah spoke need not be a continuation of the time period during which he was prophesying; it may well refer to the time when the faithful community of Israel will be restored. The NT sees this taking place in the appearance of Jesus Christ, the King in David’s line (Rm 1:3) whose kingdom will never end. Moreover, Jesus Christ is the High Priest—though in the line of Melchizedek, rather than Levi (Heb 7:11-17)—who will never fail to serve.