What role do elders play in guiding us according to Job 15:10? The Setting of Job 15:10 “Eliphaz the Temanite” is replying to Job. He appeals to the testimony of men “older than your father,” urging Job to heed time-tested wisdom. “Both the gray-haired and the aged are among us, older than your father.” Though Eliphaz’s conclusions about Job are flawed, Scripture still affirms that seasoned believers have a God-given place in guiding the community. Why the Words of Elders Matter • God values generational wisdom; long lives allow believers to see God’s faithfulness played out (Deuteronomy 32:7). • Age often refines discernment, enabling elders to test ideas against the Word and lived experience (Proverbs 16:31). • Their presence reminds the body that truth is not reinvented every generation—“the faith that was once for all delivered” endures (Jude 3). Key Roles Elders Play in Our Lives 1. Guardians of Sound Doctrine • Elders protect the flock from error (Acts 20:28–30). • They measure new teachings against Scripture’s fixed standard. 2. Living Testimonies of God’s Faithfulness • Years of answered prayer and hardship overcome become living case studies (Psalm 71:17-18). • Their stories anchor younger believers when trials hit. 3. Guides in Practical Wisdom • Experience equips elders to translate biblical principles into daily decisions (Proverbs 1:5). • Counsel drawn from decades of obedience spares others needless scars. 4. Models of Perseverance • Consistent faith over a lifetime shows the long horizon of discipleship (Hebrews 6:12). • Their endurance assures us that finishing well is possible. 5. Shepherds of the Flock • In church leadership, elders oversee, feed, and care for God’s people (1 Peter 5:1-3). • Their authority is exercised by service, not domination, reflecting Christ the Chief Shepherd. Receiving Their Guidance Well • Seek them out—invite conversation after worship, over coffee, during home visits. • Listen before reacting—give weight to years, not just brevity of youth. • Compare advice with Scripture; faithful elders welcome this (Acts 17:11). • Honor them publicly and privately (Leviticus 19:32; 1 Timothy 5:17). Living It Out This Week • Identify one older believer whose walk you respect. • Ask for a specific piece of counsel on a real-life decision. • Write down what you learn and thank God for providing seasoned voices in His body. Treasuring the wisdom of the gray-haired is not nostalgia; it is obedience to a biblical pattern that keeps each generation anchored to unchanging truth. |
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