The word “elder” can mean several different things (this is true in English – as well as Hebrew and Greek).
First, “Elder” can refer to the older men in the community. For instance, Exodus 3 tells us that Moses was sent to the elders of Israel. Every community has elders – those older people who are respected and wise.
Second, “Elder” can refer to an office – a formal position within the community. Exodus 18 provides us with the foundation for the office of elder. These elders are more like “town fathers” – judges – or magistrates. They are to decide civil cases as well as religious cases. In the OT – and even when talking about Jewish elders in the NT – these men will be referred to as “elders of the people.”
Third, “Elder” can refer to a particularly religious office connected with preaching. We see the beginnings of this in Numbers 11:16-30. The LORD takes these 70 – and gives them some of the Spirit that was on Moses – so that that they might prophesy. In one sense, this episode reveals the problem with the old covenant. They prophesied – but they did not continue doing it. Old Testament elders are not prophets.
And so Moses says, “Would that all the LORD’s people were prophets, that the LORD would put his Spirit on them!” (v29) At Pentecost, that is exactly what Jesus will do. He puts his Spirit upon all of God’s people – so that all of God’s people become prophets.
But it is important for us to distinguish between these three uses of the term “elder.” “Elder” can refer simply to an older man. “Elder” can refer to a ruler in the community. Or “Elder” can refer to a ruler who also preaches...
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