Wednesday, August 17, 2022

Dean L. Larsen on the Aaronic/Levitical Priesthood and the Beginning of Jesus' Earthly Ministry

  

Several noteworthy events occurred while the people of Israel were in the wilderness that focus directly upon the central purpose of this writing. One of these has to do with the establishment of priesthood authority which gave order and direction to the affairs of the people. The Lord directed Moses: “And take thou unto thee Aaron thy brother, and his sons with him, from among the children of Israel, that he may minister unto me in the priest’s office, even Aaron, Nadab and Abihu, Eleazar and Ithamar, Aaron’s sons” (Exodus 28:1).

 

Thus was initiated the priesthood authority under which the lesser law given through Moses would be administered. This priesthood order became known as the Priesthood of Aaron, or the Aaronic Priesthood. Since Moses and Aaron were of the tribe of Levi, the name “Levitical” has also been applied at times to this priesthood order. The tribe of Levi, therefore, assumed the responsibility for ministering all of the ordinances and performances that were required under the Mosaic law. It must be remembered that this was to have a “schoolmaster” effect upon the people of Israel.

 

The Aaronic or Levitical Priesthood was to continue to be the legitimate source of authority among Israel until the time the Savior would undertake his earthly ministry. John the Baptist officiated under the auspices of this priesthood and held the administering keys of authority for the same. (Dean L. Larsen, People of Destiny [Salt Lake City: Millennial Press, 2001], 35, emphasis in bold added)

 

Such reflects the theology one finds in Heb 7:12, where there would be a change or transposition of the status of the Aaronic priesthood (not abrogation as some misinterpret μετατίθημι).