And I will also take of them for priests
That is, of the Gentiles, the brethren brought as an offering to
the Lord; and therefore must respect Gospel times, when the
Aaronic priesthood would be changed and cease, which admitted not
of Gentiles, nor any of any other tribe in Israel, but the tribe
of Levi; nor is this to be understood of the spiritual priesthood
common to all believers, ( 1 Peter 2:5 1 Peter 2:9 ) (
Revelation 1:6 ) (
5:10 ) since of those
converted Gentiles brought, not all, but only some of them, would
be taken for priests; and therefore can only be interpreted of
the ministers of the word, who, in Old Testament language, are
called priests, though never in the New Testament; but elders,
bishops, overseers, pastors, and teachers. The first preachers of
the Gospel were Jews, as the twelve apostles, the seventy
disciples, Paul and Barnabas, and others; but when the Gospel was
preached, and churches planted in the Gentile world, then
priests, or pastors, or elders, were taken out from among them,
and ordained over the churches everywhere; and which have
continued, more or less, ever since; and will be more abundant in
the latter day; whose work and office is not to offer up slain
beasts, as the priests of old; but to point to the sacrifice of
Christ, to the Lamb of God, that takes away the sins of men; and
to teach the knowledge of crucified Christ, and the several
doctrines and duties of the Christian religion, as the priests
formerly taught the knowledge of the law, ( Malachi 2:7 ) :
and for Levites, saith the Lord;
this still more clearly shows that the prophecy belongs to the
Gospel dispensation, and is to be understood figuratively and
spiritually; for none but those of the tribe of Levi could be
taken for Levites in a literal sense; but here Gentiles are said
to be taken for such, and design men in Gospel churches. The
Levites, as their name signifies, were such as were "joined" to
others; they ministered to the priests, and assisted them, and
had the charge of the temple, and the vessels of it, to whom
deacons now answer; who are helps and assistants to the ministers
of the word: their business is to serve tables, and to take care
of the secular affairs of the church; so that this is a prophecy
of the churches in the latter day being truly organized, and
filled with proper officers, as well as with numerous members.