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Tag: hebrews

  • HOLY | separated

    Leviticus 11:45 & John 6:69  Roger@talkofJesus.com reading today's devotional scriptures

    Isolation

    What does a pandemic have to do with holiness?

    Observe how some react to isolation (as in #StayatHome #Pandemic etc.) and you might just wonder how any wall of separation can exist between mankind. Human beings made in the inage of God are social. We must live and work together as families, as neighbors and as citizens of nations, even the world.

    So how does separation from those crucial to our lives work?

    And who makes the rules?

    In fact we currently see several struggles between many authorities of this world, nations, states, media, social and professional organizations, international corporations, wealthy philanthropists and more.

    Of course few in this world will first ask,

    ‘What is the will of the LORD for our interactions with others?‘

    Festivals of the LORD

    Now Jews and Christians alike must ask additional relational questions of gathering to worship the Lord God. Add to the urgency of questions in the year of our Lord 2020:

    • How will I celebrate Passover?
    • How will I celebrate Easter?

    We enter a HOLY WEEK in A.D. 2020 without possibility of practical obedience to traditional scriptural worship of the Lord God.

    Roger Harned – talkofJesus.com
    1. We must realize that obedient worship of the Lord has changed at times. Congregational worship began with a traveling Tabernacle, pointed to an established Temple, reinstituted in a rebuilt Temple, then dispersed into an unclean world.
    2. The Messiah of Israel, the Son of Man and Son of God offered a New Covenant of worship between God our Father and the world through the Holy Spirit of God given to those who believe in Jesus the Son.
    3. Regardless of which tradition of Judaism or Christianity you came to know you likely do not completely grasp the holiness of the Lord God and without the Lord’s mercy your sin before God fails to keep you appropriately distanced from the Very Holiness of the LORD GOD.

    We might easily become sidetracked in religious discussions about festivals and traditions, but more germain to our relationship to the Lord God is a brief look at holiness.

    Holy

    קֹדֶשׁ

    Outline of Biblical Usage

    1. apartness, holiness, sacredness, separateness
      1. apartness, sacredness, holiness
        1. of God
        2. of places
        3. of things
      2. set-apartness, separateness

    You likly know the first use of this word Holy from when Moses approached the LORD in a burning bush. It’s used more than a hunded times in just Exodus and Leviticus to describe detail concerning worship.

    It is used many times in reference to celebration of the Feast of the Unleavened Bread.

    ‘On the first day you shall have a holy assembly, and another holy assembly on the seventh day; no work at all shall be done on them, except what must be eaten by every person, that alone may be prepared by you.

    Exodus 12:16 NASB

    Holy

    קָדַשׁ

    sanctify (108x), hallow (25x), dedicate (10x), holy (7x), prepare (7x), consecrate (5x), appointed (1x), bid (1x), purified (1x), miscellaneous (7x).

    Outline of Biblical Usage
    to consecrate, sanctify, prepare, dedicate, be hallowed, be holy, be sanctified, be separate

    קָדַשׁ qâdash, kaw-dash’; a primitive root; to be (causatively, make, pronounce or observe as) clean (ceremonially or morally):—appoint, bid, consecrate, dedicate, defile, hallow, (be, keep) holy(-er, place), keep, prepare, proclaim, purify, sanctify(-ied one, self), wholly.

    Then Moses said to Aaron,

    “It is what the LORD spoke, saying,
    ‘By those who come near Me I will be treated H6942 as holy, H6942
    And before all the people I will be honored.’”
    So Aaron, therefore, kept silent.

    Leviticus 10:3 NASB

    Do you recall from Scripture what had just taken place?

    10 וַיִּקְח֣וּ בְנֵֽי־אַ֠הֲרֹן נָדָ֨ב וַאֲבִיה֜וּא אִ֣ישׁ מַחְתָּת֗וֹ וַיִּתְּנ֤וּ בָהֵן֙ אֵ֔שׁ וַיָּשִׂ֥ימוּ עָלֶ֖יהָ קְטֹ֑רֶת וַיַּקְרִ֜בוּ לִפְנֵ֤י יְהוָה֙ אֵ֣שׁ זָרָ֔ה אֲשֶׁ֧ר לֹ֦א צִוָּ֖ה אֹתָֽם׃

    2 וַתֵּ֥צֵא אֵ֛שׁ מִלִּפְנֵ֥י יְהוָ֖ה וַתֹּ֣אכַל אוֹתָ֑ם וַיָּמֻ֖תוּ לִפְנֵ֥י יְהוָֽה׃

    3 וַיֹּ֨אמֶר מֹשֶׁ֜ה אֶֽל־אַהֲרֹ֗ן הוּא֩ אֲשֶׁר־דִּבֶּ֨ר יְהוָ֤ה׀ לֵאמֹר֙ בִּקְרֹבַ֣י אֶקָּדֵ֔שׁ וְעַל־פְּנֵ֥י כָל־הָעָ֖ם אֶכָּבֵ֑ד וַיִּדֹּ֖ם אַהֲרֹֽן׃

    4 וַיִּקְרָ֣א מֹשֶׁ֗ה אֶל־מִֽישָׁאֵל֙ וְאֶ֣ל אֶלְצָפָ֔ן בְּנֵ֥י עֻזִּיאֵ֖ל דֹּ֣ד אַהֲרֹ֑ן וַיֹּ֣אמֶר אֲלֵהֶ֗ם קִ֠רְב֞וּ שְׂא֤וּ אֶת־אֲחֵיכֶם֙ מֵאֵ֣ת פְּנֵי־הַקֹּ֔דֶשׁ אֶל־מִח֖וּץ לַֽמַּחֲנֶֽה׃

    5 וַֽיִּקְרְב֗וּ וַיִּשָּׂאֻם֙ בְּכֻתֳּנֹתָ֔ם אֶל־מִח֖וּץ לַֽמַּחֲנֶ֑ה כַּאֲשֶׁ֖ר דִּבֶּ֥ר מֹשֶֽׁה׃

    




    Before the Lord our God you must: consecrate, sanctify, prepare, dedicate, be hallowed, be holy, be sanctified, be separate — precisely as the LORD instructs. Even Priest and prophet, pastor and teacher (these perhaps moreso) — all must be Holy, because the Lord our God is Holy.
    




    Holy
    




    ἅγιος
    




    Strong’s Definitions 
    ἅγιος hágios, hag’-ee-os; from ἅγος hágos (an awful thing) (compare G53, G2282); sacred 
    




    • (physically, pure, morally blameless or 
    • religious, ceremonially, consecrated):—(most) holy (one, thing),
    • saint.
    




    “BUT THE LORD SAID TO HIM, ‘TAKE OFF THE SANDALS FROM YOUR FEET, FOR THE PLACE ON WHICH YOU ARE STANDING IS HOLY G40 GROUND.
    Acts 7:33 Stephen, quoting Moses before the Sanhedrin
    




    Holiness does not change from the Old Testament to the New – different word, same meaning. Stephen also uses it as Jesus did to describe the Holy Spirit of the Lord God.
    




    “You men who are stiff-necked and uncircumcised in heart and ears are always resisting the Holy G40 Spirit; you are doing just as your fathers did. – Acts 7:51
    




    Outline of Biblical Usage
    




    1. most holy thing, a saint
    




    Saints & Sinners
    




    Are you Holy to the Lord — separated to the Most High from the commonness of worldly sin?
    




    Dare you enter the Holy of Holies into the Presence of Almighty God?
    




    IF NOT, hear just a bit more about the Messiah Jesus to understand about the Holiness of Holy Week.
    




    Lord Jesus
    




    Christ our Passover is Sacrificed for us.
    




    Hebrews 10:
    




    

    For it was fitting for us to have such a high priest, 
    




    holy, innocent, undefiled, 
    




    separated 
    




    from sinners 
    




    and 
    




    exalted above the heavens; 
    




    who does not need daily, like those high priests, to offer up sacrifices, 
    




    first for His own sins and then for the sins of the people, 
    




    because this He [the Messiah] did once for all when He offered up Himself.
    




    For the Law appoints men as high priests who are weak, 
    




    but the word of the oath, which came after the Law, 
    




    appoints a Son, made perfect forever.
    

    




    Therefore let us keep the feast
    




    אֶרְחַץ בְּנִקָּיֹון כַּפָּי וַאֲסֹבְבָה אֶת־מִזְבַּחֲךָ יְהוָֽה׃
    




    For dogs have surrounded me;
    A band of evildoers has encompassed me;
    They pierced my hands and my feet… – Psalm 22:16
    




    

    I can count all my bones.
    




    They look, they stare at me;
    




    They divide my garments among them,
    




    And for my clothing they cast lots.
    




    the amen
    




    “Who will not fear, O Lord, and glorify Your name?
    For You alone are holy;
    For ALL THE NATIONS WILL COME AND WORSHIP BEFORE YOU,
    FOR YOUR RIGHTEOUS ACTS HAVE BEEN REVEALED.”
    The Revelation of Jesus Christ to John 15:4 NASB
    

    

    
			
    
		
    
		
	
  • 
		
		
    
			
    The Gatekeeper & the Shepherds
    
			
    The Gatekeeper & the Shepherds
    
			
    

    Then the watchman saw another man running; and the watchman called to the gatekeeper and said, “Behold, another man running by himself.” 
    And the king said, “This one also is bringing good news.”
    2 Samuel 18:16
    




    watchtower at Jerusalem gate
    Watchtowers at gates of old city
    




    Of Gatekeepers and Watchmen
    




    Soldier of Roman Legion
    




    It would have been a Roman Centurion, Roman guards at the gates of first century Jerusalem. 
    




    Armed soldiers, some who had marched on Roman roads connecting nearby towns and slaughtering rebellious zealots in the mountain passes guarded the gates. 
    




    As each festival approached with its crowds of pilgrims flooding the streets of Jerusalem, each watchtower with its Roman overseers would look to turn back any threat to their subject-king and their Caesar.
    




    A Roman guard in each watchtower of Jerusalem would have sent out an alarm if any opponent approached their captive city. 
    




    They were unlike the faithful who worshiped here and the not so casual crowds of curious visitors of this day.
    




    Damascus Gate of Jerusalem
    




    • Who approaches our city? 
    • Will they enter through the gate by permission of their king (or city leader)?
    • Are they any threat to the Emperor’s representative, our leaders and our Legions? 
    




    Who may enter?
    




    It was common practice of the people, including shepherds leading sheep for the slaughter of the sacrifice, to travel here from far away hills and trade within Jerusalem’s walls. Then they worshiped within the courts of their Temple, surrounded by walls of watchmen.
    




    The gatekeeper is much more than a ticket taker, so to speak, a man of authority. 
    




    Please keep in mind the context of John’s gospel in the earthly journey of Jesus and the Apostles to Jerusalem. Although we pause once more in John’s witness of a man born blind, the context of Jesus’ actions set the stage for what will happen next.
    




    Rome will destroy Jerusalem later, as Babylon and others had destroyed her before. This nervous alliance between a subject king of the region and ruler of Rome governed the day-to-day lives of Judea’s subjects. 
    




    Some mattered more than others. A ruling council guarded their revamped religion and culture: Pharisees, Sadducees, rich landowners paying taxes for the Roman army to remain there in peace. 
    




    They kept pretense of self-rule under Herod as a self-subjugated nation which could be crushed by Rome at any hint of rebellion. 
    




    A Roman legacy of a Judean King
    




    Back in 19 B.C., Rome had allowed their great builder king to start rebuilding the Temple.  Ten thousand skilled laborers and a thousand Levites built it with contributions of Jews mostly from the diaspora to the east just beyond Rome’s grip. It would not be completed until A.D. 63, just seven years prior to their destruction of all Jerusalem. – Source 
    




    Those now in authority choose who may enter Jerusalem. Several acted as gatekeeper for a gate entering the court of the Temple, a designated religious police poised at its gates. And as always, those judged for crimes were sentenced by a court sitting at the gate. 
    




    But now their jewish judgments must be confirmed by Rome’s prefect who cruelly crushed opposition by the constant reminders of their Roman crosses of crucifixion along roads to the city.
    




    Like always, men of no threat to anyone often sat within the gates begging from faithful pilgrims coming and going into the city. 
    




    poor pilgrims to Jerusalem 
    “For you always have the poor with you; but you do not always have Me. 
– the words of Jesus, Matthew 26:11 NASB
    




    David’s Watchmen
    




    When David was king, Jerusalem had fought for the LORD rather than bowing  down to a Caesar. Yet even David sat as gatekeeper of Israel after opposition by his own son.
    




    David’s great kingdom long forgotten, Jerusalem’s leaders mustered the crowds toward a new faith of confidence by the name of David, although few remembered David’s defeats and difficulties. 
    




    One such ne’er-told scripture would have been of David’s time after Absalom’s revolt. It was a day not so grandiose as their many reminders to first century crowds of Solomon’s first Temple.
    




    2 Samuel 18:
    




    Then David numbered the people who were with him and set over them commanders of thousands and commanders of hundreds…
    




    So the king stood beside the gate, and all the people went out by hundreds and thousands…
    




    6 Then the people went out into the field against Israel, and the battle took place in the forest of Ephraim. (Note Ephraim’s earlier loss of the blessing of Jacob.)
    




    7 The people of Israel were defeated there before the servants of David [Judah], and the slaughter there that day was great, 20,000 men… 
    




    17 They took Absalom and cast him into a deep pit in the forest and erected over him a very great heap of stones. And all Israel fled, each to his tent. 
    




    24 Now David was sitting between the two gates; and the watchman went up to the roof of the gate by the wall, and raised his eyes and looked, and behold, a man running by himself. The watchman called and told the king. 
    




    And the king said, “If he is by himself there is good news in his mouth.” 
    




    And he came nearer and nearer. Then the watchman saw another man running; and the watchman called to the gatekeeper and said, “Behold, another man running by himself.” 
    




    And the king said, “This one also is bringing good news.” 
    




    … 
    




    Why send two?
    




    Two messengers. King David awaits good news as he sits in the gate as gatekeeper of the City of David.
    




    Men from the watchtowers above see a distant scene long before David has news of what has happened. Two separate messengers approaching the stronghold of Jerusalem where the people had kept their king behind as gatekeeper.
    




    Why two? What details of the battle for the LORD will they reveal?
    




    “O my son Absalom
    




    The report of hope turns into great sorrow for the king.
    




    “Let my lord the king receive good news, for the Lord has freed you this day from the hand of all those who rose up against you.”
    




    “Let the enemies of my lord the king, and all who rise up against you for evil, be as that young man!”
    




    33 The king was deeply moved and went up to the chamber over the gate and wept. 
    




    Though his victory as King is secured, David would have done anything to have kept his own son from death.
    




    And thus he said as he walked, “O my son Absalom, my son, my son Absalom! Would I had died instead of you, O Absalom, my son, my son!”
    




    2 Samuel 19:
    




    8 So the king arose and sat in the gate. When they told all the people, saying, “Behold, the king is sitting in the gate,” then all the people came before the king…
    




    After several violent battles between the rebellious tribes of Israel David prevails as king. 
    




    Solomon then becomes Israel’s richest and greatest king, building the Temple of the Lord. But in his old age Solomon falls away from his faith and at his death Israel and Judah once again divide. 
    




    After some centuries both kingdoms fall, the Temple of Solomon destroyed.
    




    A Babylonian-built Jewish temple
    




    Perhaps you have never considered that the temple in Jerusalem could never have been rebuilt over the ruble where the Law was found without Persia’s and Babylon’s help. Of course, the LORD made it possible as the LORD had influenced Pharaoh before.
    




    “Thus says Cyrus king of Persia, ‘The LORD, the God of heaven, has given me all the kingdoms of the earth and He has appointed me to build Him a house in Jerusalem, which is in Judah.
    Ezra 1:2 NASB
    




    Therefore, ‘in order to fulfill the word of the LORD by the mouth of Jeremiah, the LORD stirred up the spirit of Cyrus king of Persia.’ [Ezra 1:1]
    




    For every house is built by someone, but the builder of all things is God.
    Hebrews 3:3 NASB
    




    Therefore, just as the Holy Spirit says,
     “TODAY IF YOU HEAR HIS VOICE, 
    DO NOT HARDEN YOUR HEARTS AS WHEN THEY PROVOKED ME,
     AS IN THE DAY OF TRIAL IN THE WILDERNESS…
    Hebrews 3:7-8 NASB
    




    Nehemiah & Ezra
    




    Prophets like Isaiah, Jeremiah and Ezekiel warned both Israel and Judah to return to the LORD, but they also provided hope for later faithful generations of God’s faithfulness.
    




    Although building of the second temple was begun around 516 BC (many centuries after David), it was not completed until about 349 BC under the leadership of Ezra and Nehemiah.
    




    Then I said to them, “You see the bad situation we are in, that Jerusalem is desolate and its gates burned by fire. Come, let us rebuild the wall of Jerusalem so that we will no longer be a reproach.”
    Nehemiah 2:17 NASB 
    




    Again, note the passage of time and the patience of the LORD in completing His plan of redemption.
    




    Nehemiah 4:
    




    He [Sanballat] spoke in the presence of his brothers and the wealthy men of Samaria and said, 
    




    “What are these feeble Jews doing? 
    




    Are they going to restore it for themselves? Can they offer sacrifices? Can they finish in a day? Can they revive the stones from the dusty rubble even the burned ones?”
    




    The importance of gatekeepers guarding the gates of the faith, as well as the city continued as it had since the time of David and traditions of Moses.
    




    1 Chronicles 9
    




    A century before the beginning of the rebuilding of the temple
    




    … And Judah was carried away into exile to Babylon for their unfaithfulness.
    




    17 Now the gatekeepers were Shallum and Akkub and Talmon and Ahiman and their relatives (Shallum the chief being stationed until now at the king’s gate to the east)…
    




    20 Phinehas the son of Eleazar was ruler over them previously, and the Lord was with him. Zechariah the son of Meshelemiah was gatekeeper of the entrance of the tent of meeting. All these who were chosen to be gatekeepers at the thresholds were 212.
    




    The Pharisees and priests (Levites) of the rebuilt temple of the first century had legitimacy of guarding the purity of the faith of the LORD.
    




    Now the leaders of the people lived in Jerusalem, but the rest of the people cast lots to bring one out of ten to live in Jerusalem, the holy city, while nine-tenths remained in the other cities.
    Nehemiah 11:1 NASB
    




    Isaiah 60:
    




    ק֥וּמִי א֖וֹרִי כִּ֣י בָ֣א אוֹרֵ֑ךְ וּכְב֥וֹד יְהוָ֖ה עָלַ֥יִךְ זָרָֽח׃
    




    2 כִּֽי־הִנֵּ֤ה הַחֹ֙שֶׁךְ֙ יְכַסֶּה־אֶ֔רֶץ וַעֲרָפֶ֖ל לְאֻמִּ֑ים וְעָלַ֙יִךְ֙ יִזְרַ֣ח יְהוָ֔ה וּכְבוֹד֖וֹ עָלַ֥יִךְ יֵרָאֶֽה׃
    




    We will next return to first century Jerusalem, but first hear the words of the Prophet Isaiah. (Without knowing their context you may have heard them before.)
    




    Arise, shine;
     For your light has come!
     And the glory of the Lord is risen upon you.
    …
    The Gentiles shall come to your light,
     And kings to the brightness of your rising.
    “Lift up your eyes all around, and see:
     They all gather together, they come to you;
     Your sons shall come from afar,
     And your daughters shall be nursed at your side.
      Then you shall see and become radiant,
     And your heart shall swell with joy…
    




    Yet previously Isaiah the Prophet had warned:
    




    

    His watchmen are blind,
     All of them know nothing.
    All of them are mute dogs unable to bark,
     Dreamers lying down, who love to slumber;
     And the dogs are greedy, they are not satisfied.
    




    And they are shepherds who have no understanding;
     They have all turned to their own way,
     Each one to his unjust gain, to the last one.
    

    




    Into this same Jerusalem the Messiah Jesus enters the gates, encounters the watchmen and shepherds of Herod. Among other signs the Lord gives a man blind from birth his sight! 
    




    Could the LORD have sent a new gatekeeper of heaven to Jerusalem?
    




    To be continued...
    

    
			
    
		
    
		
	
  • 
		
		
    
			
    Elders – a letter from Peter – 9
    
			
    Elders – a letter from Peter – 9
    
			
    

    Peter has just cautioned the church that judgment begins with God’s household. He encourages all the believers suffering for Christ to keep fervent in your love. And in an appropriate exhortation for leadership of the family Peter urges wives to be submissive to your own husbands. Now the Apostle specifically exhorts the elders of the church.
    




    Church Leadership
    




    Before we address this divisive denominationalized topic written to a first century church in terms of today’s church, let’s begin with a contemporized paraphrase of these verses from the first letter of Peter by J.B. Phillips.
    




    1 Peter 5:
    




    A word to your leaders
    




    5 1-4 Now may I who am myself an elder say a word to you my fellow-elders? I speak as one who actually saw Christ suffer, and as one who will share with you the glories that are to be unfolded to us. I urge you then to see that your “flock of God” is properly fed and cared for. Accept the responsibility of looking after them willingly and not because you feel you can’t get out of it, doing your work not for what you can make, but because you are really concerned for their well-being. You should aim not at being “little tin gods” but as examples of Christian living in the eyes of the flock committed to your charge. And then, when the chief shepherd reveals himself, you will receive that crown of glory which cannot fade.
    




    Who is an Elder?
    




    I am not an elder of my church. Is he writing to me? 
    




    Certainly Peter will follow this public exhortation with expected application to those humble members of their churches. And in a larger sense, he writes not to an individual group of Christ worshipers, but to the church as the whole body of Christ.
    




    Peter is not their Pastor, Priest, teacher or even a member of most churches to whom he writes, yet he clearly claims his authority “as your fellow elder.”
    




    Before we address this position which Peter claims from the greek word which he uses, συμπρεσβύτερος [sympresbyteros], let’s look back a bit to God’s presence before elders.
    




    Elders of the Hebrews
    




    We first hear of the elders in Genesis 50, transition in the Books of Moses to the exodus of a captive Hebrew people enslaved in Egypt.
    




    So Joseph went up to bury his father, and with him went up all the servants of Pharaoh, the elders of his household and all the elders of the land of Egypt, and all the household of Joseph and his brothers and his father’s household; they left only their little ones and their flocks and their herds in the land of Goshen. – Genesis 50:7-8 NASB
    




    Scripture refers to both ‘the elders of his [Joseph’s] household and all the elders of the land.
    




    Elders – zaqen –  זָקֵן
    




    It is a description of older men, or men with familial and community authority. The LORD gives authority over families (households) and those with authority will be called before the LORD to account for those over whom they have authority. (We 21st century ‘christians,’ even Jews often struggle with such authority delegated from Almighty God.)
    




    God, furthermore, said to Moses, “Thus you shall say to the sons of Israel, ‘The LORD, the God of your fathers, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob, has sent me to you.’ This is My name forever, and this is My memorial-name to all generations.

    “Go and gather the elders of Israel together and say to them, ‘The LORD, the God of your fathers, the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, has appeared to me, saying, 
    “I am indeed concerned about you and what has been done to you in Egypt.
    Exodus 3:15-16
    




    How like a loving Father does the LORD show concern for those who worship Him.
    




    Yet Moses asked the LORD for help in governing these difficult people. (Aren’t we, the church, just as rebellious when it comes to Authority?) The LORD gave us elders to judge our own family, the followers of God.
    




    Exodus 24:
    




    וְאֶל־מֹשֶׁ֨ה אָמַ֜ר עֲלֵ֣ה אֶל־יְהוָ֗ה אַתָּה֙ וְאַהֲרֹן֙ נָדָ֣ב וַאֲבִיה֔וּא וְשִׁבְעִ֖ים מִזִּקְנֵ֣י יִשְׂרָאֵ֑ל וְהִשְׁתַּחֲוִיתֶ֖ם מֵרָחֹֽק׃
    Then He said to Moses, “Come up to the Lord, you and Aaron, Nadab and Abihu and seventy of the elders of Israel, and you shall worship at a distance.
    Exodus 24:1 WLC [Hebrew]; NASB [English]
    




    4 Moses wrote down all the words of the Lord…
    




    7 Then he took the book of the covenant and read it in the hearing of the people; and they said, “All that the Lord has spoken we will do, and we will be obedient!” …
    




    9 Then Moses went up with Aaron, Nadab and Abihu, and seventy of the elders of Israel and they saw the God of Israel; and under His feet there appeared to be a pavement of sapphire, as clear as the sky itself. Yet He did not stretch out His hand against the nobles of the sons of Israel; and they saw God, and they ate and drank.
    




    Moses prepares the followers with him, interceding as their Priest returning them to holiness (or pureness), making sacrifices and covenants before God. The LORD shows mercy to the sinful leaders of the Hebrews. Moses intercedes for them, then they see the Lord God!
    




    12 Now the Lord said to Moses, 
    




    “Come up to Me on the mountain and remain there, and I will give you the stone tablets with the law and the commandment which I have written for their instruction.” 
    




    13 So Moses arose with Joshua his servant, and Moses went up to the mountain of God. But to the elders he said, 
    




    “Wait here for us until we return to you…
    




    Elders of the cities and other lands
    




    The leadership of elders is accepted practice and culture at every level from family to city, from state or province to nation. Eldership is not exclusive to the Hebrews, Israel or later Judah. Neither is our tendency toward personal freedom and resistance to any authority by man or God.
    




    • Then the elders of the congregation shall lay their hands on the head of the bull before the LORD, and the bull shall be slain before the LORD. – Leviticus 4:15
    • The LORD therefore said to Moses, “Gather for Me seventy men from the elders of Israel, whom you know to be the elders of the people and their officers and bring them to the tent of meeting, and let them take their stand there with you. Numbers 11:16
    • So the elders of Moab and the elders of Midian departed with the fees for divination in their hand; and they came to Balaam and repeated Balak’s words to him. Numbers 22:7
    • then the elders of his city shall send and take him from there and deliver him into the hand of the avenger of blood, that he may die. Deuteronomy 19:12 
    




    The LAW of the Hebrews is a higher Law from the Lord God. Furthermore, the Hebrews agreed to the Commandments of the LORD. Yet all sin and fall short of the Law. 
    




    Moses had saved the Hebrews from Egypt, but he could not save them from their sin.
    




    Deuteronomy 31:
    




    Elders did not lead a people who just wandered in and out of the land or the Hebrew tent of meeting. 
    




    Joshua, David, judges, prophets, elders of every generation — all are called by the Authority of God. The Hebrews they led had agreed to be led by the LORD.
    




    9 So Moses wrote this law and gave it to the priests, the sons of Levi who carried the ark of the covenant of the Lord, and to all the elders of Israel…
    




    12 Assemble the people, the men and the women and children and the alien who is in your town, so that they may hear and learn and fear the Lord your God, and be careful to observe all the words of this law.
    




    26 “Take this book of the law and place it beside the ark of the covenant of the Lord your God, that it may remain there as a witness against you… Assemble to me all the elders of your tribes and your officers, that I may speak these words in their hearing and call the heavens and the earth to witness against them.
    Deuteronomy 31:26,28 NASB
    




    The presence of the LORD has scattered them,
     He will not continue to regard them;
     They did not honor the priests,
     They did not favor the elders.
    Lamentations 4:16 of Jeremiah when Jerusalem fell & the Temple was burned ~567 BC
    




    Church Elders of the New Testament
    




    Elders – presbyteros – πρεσβύτερος
    




    Strong’s Definitions 
     πρεσβύτερος presbýteros, pres-boo’-ter-os; comparative of πρέσβυς présbys (elderly); older; as noun, a senior; specially, an Israelite Sanhedrist (also figuratively, member of the celestial council) or Christian “presbyter”:—elder(-est), old.
    




    A general description of elders in the Church would be: among the Christians, those who presided over the assemblies (or churches) The NT uses the term bishop, elders, and presbyters interchangeably.
    




    Although Bishops and Archbishops, Pastors and Popes may be called elders of the church, authority from the Lord is not exclusive to any. With no regard to title or station, Christ, the Head of the body of the church will judge all.
    




    Peter, then, addresses the elders of the church in terms of their own behavior as examples of Christ Jesus and responsibility to their own small flocks as Peter well-knew Jesus had shown to the Twelve Disciples. 
    




    1 Peter 5:
    




    I exhort the elders among you as a fellow elder and witness to the sufferings of Christ, as well as one who shares in the glory about to be revealed: 
    




    Peter addresses these men as a fellow elder. He is not of their church or lording it over their church, but addressing them as a humble brother encouraging their leaders. 
    




    Christians tend to look askance at the Jewish context of elders because of the Gospel record of the elders challenging Jesus. However Peter does not challenge any of the elders as if he is one who knows better or as even as an Apostle of higher authority. 
    




    2 Shepherd God’s flock among you, not overseeing out of compulsion but willingly, as God would have you; not out of greed for money but eagerly; 3 not lording it over those entrusted to you, but being examples to the flock.
    




    Peter then addresses our example of Jesus.
    




    4 And when the chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the unfading crown of glory. 
    




    Yes, Jesus IS resurrected, as witnessed by Peter, who knows directly from the Lord that Christ will give glory to those who serve Him faithfully.
    




    5 In the same way, you who are younger, be subject to the elders.
    




    Are you younger than the elders of your church? Of course. Therefore listen to their wise leadership. 
    




    Humbly subject yourselves to them as Christ subjected Himself to the Father, even suffering death on a cross for our sins.
    




    All of you clothe yourselves with humility toward one another, because
     God resists the proud
     but gives grace to the humble.
    




    Peter asks every saint of the church to clothe yourselves with humility toward all members of the body of Christ. He then quotes a familiar Proverb, memorized between father and son.
    




    Proverbs 3:
    




    My son, don’t forget my teaching,
     but let your heart keep my commands;
     2 for they will bring you
     many days, a full life, and well-being.
     3 Never let loyalty and faithfulness leave you.
     Tie them around your neck;
     write them on the tablet of your heart.
     4 Then you will find favor and high regard
     with God and people.
     5 Trust in the Lord with all your heart,
     and do not rely on your own understanding;
     6 in all your ways know him,
     and he will make your paths straight.
     7 Don’t be wise in your own eyes;
     fear the Lord and turn away from evil…

    33 The Lord’s curse is on the household of the wicked,
     but he blesses the home of the righteous;
     34 He mocks those who mock,
     but gives grace to the humble.
     35 The wise will inherit honor,
     but he holds up fools to dishonor.
    




    Conclusion
    




    Peter concludes his letter advising this same humility which so often eluded him as a Disciple of Jesus. The Lord led with such humble gentleness and exemplary grace.
    




    Peter advises the saints of Christ’s body not to become fools in your actions toward your brothers in Christ. And do not mock the fools of this passing world so filled with sin. The saints must become Christ-like in all ways.
    




    Hebrew Scripture would have easily come to mind for these members of first century churches. Yet Peter’s exhortation applies aptly to you and to me.
    




    Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God, so that he may exalt you at the proper time, casting all your cares on him, because he cares about you. 
    1 Peter 5:6-7
    




    ‘You shall remember that you were a slave in the land of Egypt, and the LORD your God brought you out of there by a mighty hand and by an outstretched arm; therefore the LORD your God commanded you to observe the sabbath day. – Deuteronomy 5:15 NASB

    Now the LORD said to Joshua, “This day I will begin to exalt you in the sight of all Israel, that they may know that just as I have been with Moses, I will be with you. – Joshua 3:7
    




    Psalm 69 
    




    Perhaps from this excerpt below we might look into the hearts of Peter’s persecuted first century readers of his letter, lifted up by a song of their familiar worship.
    




    A Psalm of David.
     Save me, O God,
     For the waters have threatened my life…
    I am weary with my crying; my throat is parched;
     My eyes fail while I wait for my God…
    Because for Your sake I have borne reproach;
     Dishonor has covered my face…

    But as for me, my prayer is to You, O LORD, at an acceptable time;
     O God, in the greatness of Your lovingkindness,
     Answer me with Your saving truth…

    Oh draw near to my soul and redeem it;
     Ransom me because of my enemies!

    But I am afflicted and in pain;
     May Your salvation, O God, set me securely on high.
    I will praise the name of God with song
     And magnify Him with thanksgiving…

    The humble have seen it and are glad;
     You who seek God, let your heart revive.
    




    Resist temptation
    




    8 Be sober-minded, be alert. 
    




    Your adversary the devil is prowling around like a roaring lion, looking for anyone he can devour. 9 Resist him, firm in the faith, knowing that the same kind of sufferings are being experienced by your fellow believers throughout the world.
    




    Did you know that you are not the only one who suffers for Christ?
    




    Do you acknowledge the same powers and principalities who opposed Jesus also tempt you?
    




    Not all angels and spirits bring good news from God. Some heavenly messengers to mortals follow the fallen and deceitful angels of darkness and rebellion against the Lord God. If they oppose Jesus and you suffer for His Name, certainly you will join other saints faithful to the Lord.
    




    an Encouragement and Praise
    




    10 The God of all grace, who called you to his eternal glory in Christ, will himself restore, establish, strengthen, and support you after you have suffered a little while.
    




    11 To him be dominion forever. Amen.
    




    a Postscript
    




    Once Peter concludes his letter to the church exhorting its members and elders and closes with a general praise, we learn more about others who support the delivery of Peter’s good news to the churches. 
    




    12 Through Silvanus, a faithful brother (as I consider him), I have written to you briefly in order to encourage you and to testify that this is the true grace of God.
    




    Peter likely dictated his letter to Silvanus, also known as Silas. Christian leaders like Silvanus and Timothy often worked with Peter or Paul. Letters to the church often express an understood Spirit-led leadership of like-minded elders of the church. We see this also in Peter’s next greeting.
    




    13 She who is in Babylon, chosen together with you, sends you greetings, as does Mark, my son.
    




    That is, John Mark, writer of the Gospel, much dictated by Peter and other Apostles. 
    




    Who is ‘she who is in Babylon?’ Some suggest that it may be a veiled reference to Peter’s wife, who accompanied him in his journeys to spread the Gospel. As to the true location of ‘Babylon,’ commentators differ. At least three viable locations seem possible, including Rome, a Roman outpost in Egypt and a city in the area of ancient Babylon (Mesopotamia).
    




    Final greetings
    




    14 Greet one another with a kiss of love. 
    




    φίλημα ἀγάπη – philēma agapē. It is the kiss with which, as a sign of fraternal affection, Christians were accustomed to welcome or dismiss their companions in the faith. And agapē love, demonstrable affection, good will, love, benevolence, brotherly love in Christ finds its root in phileō and philos – to treat affectionately or kindly, to welcome, befriend; one who associates familiarly with one, a companion.
    




    This personal love of God becomes evident in every relationship between brothers of the body of Christ; that is, the Church of which He is the head.
    




    Peace to all of you who are in Christ Jesus, Amen.
    1 Peter 5:14b