THE ELDERSHIP IN THE TIME OF MOSES
While yet in servitude, the Elders still exercised religiously-grounded functions even of a socio-political nature — just like the Elders of the heathen nations outside of the covenant at that time. Even at their very redemption from slavery, while Moses and Aaron ministered the Word and Sacrament — it was precisely the Elders who distributed the elements of the Passover Lamb to its recipients and who thus promoted that act of divine worship.30
It was the Elders who encouraged Moses, who assisted him to obey God, who meet and ate bread together, and who led the Lord's people.31 It was apparently from their midst, that "tithed Rulers" of tens and fifties and hundreds and thousands were then appointed.