Session 4: “From Strength to Wisdom” Pastor Benny Ho

Jeremiah 29: 10 – “This is what the Lord says “When the seventy years are completed for Babylon, I will come to you and fulfil my gracious promise to bring you back to this place.”

Ezra 3: 10 – 13 - “When the builders laid the foundation of the temple of the LORD, the priests in their vestments and with trumpets, and the Levites (the sons of Asaph) with cymbals, took their places to praise the LORD, as prescribed by David king of Israel. With praise and thanksgiving they sang to the LORD: "He is good; his love to Israel endures forever."

And all the people gave a great shout of praise to the LORD, because the foundation of the house of the LORD was laid. But many of the older priests and Levites and family heads, who had seen the former temple, wept aloud when they saw the foundation of this temple being laid, while many others shouted for joy. No one could distinguish the sound of the shouts of joy from the sound of weeping, because the people made so much noise. And the sound was heard far away.”

The word “weep” is the Hebrew word “bakah” is commonly used for “weeping bitterly”.

Three Key Reasons Looking Back vs Looking Forward Old Experience vs New Expectation

“The greatest hindrance to faith is not unbelief but memories.” Memories of our past experiences whether positive or negative can become limiting factors to new possibilities and opportunities.

“Futility is repeating the same thing again and again and expecting different results.”

The Book of Haggai. Haggai 1: 2, “This is what the LORD Almighty says: "These people say, 'The time has not yet come to rebuild the LORD's house.'

Deception once entrenched will become a stronghold. A perceived reality that is false; once believed will become deception. Deception once entrenched will become a stronghold.

The root problem in Haggai was not just priority but deception.

Haggai 2: 2 – 4: “Speak to Zerubbabel son of Shealtiel, governor of Judah, to Joshua son of Jozadak, the high priest, and to the remnant of the people. Ask them, 'Who of you is left who saw this house in its former glory? How does it look to you now? Does it not seem to you like nothing? But now be strong, Zerubbabel,' declares the LORD. 'Be strong, Joshua son of Jozadak, the high priest. Be strong, all you people of the land,' declares the LORD, 'and work. For I am with you,' declares the LORD Almighty.”

3. Wisdom vs Strength Proverbs 20: 29 – “The glory of young men is their strength, grey hair the splendour of the old.”

“If only the old can and the young know.” John Garlock

The young need the encouragement of the old and the old needs the enthusiasm of the young. The young need the wisdom of the old and the old needs the strength of the young.

Ezra 3: 6 – “On the first day of the seventh month they began to offer burnt offerings to the LORD, though the foundation of the LORD's temple had not yet been laid.”