A Faithful Priest

by Henry M. Morris, Ph.D.

"And I will raise me up a faithful priest, that shall do according to that which is in mine heart and in my mind: and I will build him a sure house; and he shall walk before mine anointed for ever." (1 Samuel 2:35)

This promise of a faithful priest was connected with God's judgment on three unfaithful priests: Eli and his sons, Hophni and Phinehas. All three died on the day the Philistines carried away the Ark of the Covenant. Eventually, the house of Eli perished completely, and Zadok and his descendants became the priests (1 Kings 2:35).

However, the prophecy looks far beyond Zadok to one who can be, completely and eternally, a faithful priest. The Lord Jesus Christ alone is our "merciful and faithful high priest in things pertaining to God, to make reconciliation for the sins of the people" (Hebrews 2:17). He is also "a faithful Creator" (1 Peter 4:19) and "the faithful witness" (Revelation 1:5). In fact, when He returns in power and glory, His very name will be called "Faithful and True" (Revelation 19:11).

God also promised to "build him a sure house," and this is being accomplished today--brick by brick, as it were, as each new believer is born into the house of God. "Consider the Apostle and High Priest of our profession, Christ Jesus; Who was faithful to him that appointed him . . . inasmuch as he who hath builded the house hath more honor than the house. . . .But Christ as a son over his own house; whose house are we. . ." (Hebrews 3:1-3, 6).

Finally, "he shall walk before mine anointed |i.e., Messiah| for ever." The Lord Jesus is both Messiah and eternal High Priest. "This man, because he continueth ever, hath an unchangeable priesthood. Wherefore he is able also to save them to the uttermost that come unto God by him, seeing he ever liveth to make intercession for them" (Hebrews 7: 24-25). HMM