God’s punishment of the unfaithful priests in the short term does not nullify God’s purpose and promises in the long term (Leviticus 26:44; Deuteronomy 4:26–31). For example, the Lord made a covenant with David, that he would establish the throne of David’s kingdom forever (2 Samuel 7:13). Yet God brought an end to the Davidic kingship after King Zedekiah was taken into captivity in Babylon (2 Kings 25:7). But this did not nullify the covenant that God made with David. God promised that from the stump of Jesse, a new shoot would arise (Leviticus 26:44), and the Davidic kingship would be restored. In this way, God maintained his covenant with David. In a similar way, God was going to terminate the service of the priesthood of Levi so that the sons of Levi could no longer serve as priests in the temple. Nevertheless, God would not utterly forsake his covenant with Levi. The Levitical priesthood would be revived. For God cannot break his promise, and he cannot annul his covenant (Jeremiah 33:20–22).
4 So shall you know that I have sent this command to you, that my covenant with Levi may stand, says the LORD of hosts.