Bits of Torah Truths – Torah Concept in the NT: Let the Sick Call the Elders – Episode 568
James 5:14
אִם יֵשׁ חוֹלֶה בֵּינֵיכֶם, יִקְרָא אֶת זִקְנֵי הַקְּהִלָּה וְיִתְפַּלְּלוּ בַּעֲדוֹ בְּמָשְׁחָם אוֹתוֹ שֶׁמֶן בְּשֵׁם יהוה.
#torah #torahwisdom #torahtruth #torahforlife #torah4you #torahtruth
James 5:14
5:14 Is anyone among you sick? Then he must call for the elders of the church and they are to pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord; (NASB)
https://www.matsati.com/index.php/category/bits-of-torah-truths/
Note that James 5:14 is uniquely framed within the context of early church structure; its core idea of the sick seeking help from spiritually mature leaders has strong thematic roots in the Torah. Though the term “elders” (zekenim) in the Torah often refers to tribal or judicial leaders rather than spiritual intercessors, the principle of communal responsibility and intercession for the afflicted is deeply embedded. Elders as Spiritual and Communal Leaders: In Exodus 3:16 “Go and gather the elders of Israel…” God instructs Moses to speak to the elders, recognizing them as representatives of the people. They serve as intermediaries between divine instruction and communal action. In Numbers 11:16–17 the elders are endowed with a portion of Moshe’s spiritual authority to help bear the burden of leadership including caring for the people’s needs and complaints. Intercession for the Sick or Afflicted: In Genesis 20:17 we read “So Abraham prayed to God; and God healed Abimelech…” Though not an elder in a formal sense, Abraham as the leader and older man functioned as a spiritual intercessor, praying for healing, which is a prototype of righteous intervention. In Numbers 12:13 Moses intercedes for Miriam when she is struck with leprosy. His role as both leader and intercessor mirrors the elder’s function in James. We also note Deuteronomy 21:6–8 the elders of a city perform a ritual to absolve guilt in the case of an unsolved murder, saying, “Forgive, O LORD, Your people…” This shows elders engaging in spiritual acts on behalf of the community, including appeals for mercy and healing. Note also Leviticus 13-14, and Deuteronomy 1:13-15 as additional parallels. We note how older men are chosen for their discernment which is a quality echoed in James’ call for spiritually mature elders. Notice how the Torah lays the groundwork for elders praying for the sick, this is how the NT and James taught Torah, the Torah has not passed away!
