150 Year Legacy of Love

Not Easily Broken

Ecclesiastes 4:9–12 NASB95

9 Two are better than one because they have a good return for their labor. 10 For if either of them falls, the one will lift up his companion. But woe to the one who falls when there is not another to lift him up. 11 Furthermore, if two lie down together they keep warm, but how can one be warm alone? 12 And if one can overpower him who is alone, two can resist him. A cord of three strands is not quickly torn apart.

New Living Translation Chapter 4

9 Two people are better off than one, for they can help each other succeed.

10 If one person falls, the other can reach out and help. But someone who falls alone is in real trouble.

11 Likewise, two people lying close together can keep each other warm. But how can one be warm alone?

12 A person standing alone can be attacked and defeated, but two can stand back-to-back and conquer. Three are even better, for a triple-braided cord is

It is in this context of discussing things that are vain and futile, he turns his attention to a man who is all alone that works hard for material success. He has no dependents, no progeny, no successor, no partnerships and he consumes himself with labour. Eccl 4:9.

There is a point that I think is applicable to all of us in that there is powere in relationships...and that is even truer for a marriage.

The Preacher is establishing that there is a great disadvantage if you go it alone; regardless of the results. This doesn’t mean there will be no profit, but he does not want you to settle for a sub-standard way of living when greater is possible?

Notice in the text, when he was going it alone the Preacher says (vanity, futile, smoke!) - He labours like before, he has results like before, but with relationship the assessment is not like before.

#1 There is Support in Togetherness

To drive this point home he raises an irrefutable argument. If the listener denies this example they will be lying to themselves.

The word fall means to collapse/fall to ruin - woe to the one who falls and has no one to pick them up.

Ecclesiastes 4:10 (NLT) 10 If one person falls, the other can reach out and help. But someone who falls alone is in real trouble.

Your ultimate helper is God - Isaiah says He gives strength to the weary (Isa 40:29) The Psalmsist tells me God is my very present help in my time of trouble, The LORD is my light and my salvation - Now the preacher is saying it’s good to have people around you who will lift you up when you fall.

#2 There is Survival in Togetherness

Once again, the Preacher uses a real life illustration that is undeniably true. To reject the truth of this will be denying reality.

Ecclesiastes 4:11 (NASB95) 11 Furthermore, if two lie down together they keep warm, but how can one be warm alone?

The imagery here is the coldness of the desert nights. Many times business would involve days of travel which necessitated seeking rest. Sometimes rest would occur in the open desert environment. To ensure that the body remains warm, and it survives the environment they would sleep close together.

And just like in the ancient deserts there is a coldness out there that can threaten your well-being and purpose as a child of God, coldness can even creep into your marriage.

It is easy for the experiences of life, people, problems to leave you cold but in isolation you cannot warm yourself- you won’t survive.

Learn how to seek the warmth of others, learn how to be warm.

#3 There is Strength in Togetherness

Yet again we are presented with another relevant situation where his audience can identify with.

Ecclesiastes 4:12 (NLT) 12 A person standing alone can be attacked and defeated, but two can stand back-to-back and conquer. Three are even better, for a triple-braided cord is not easily broken.

Doing business, selling merchandise, travelling was dangerous

Alone makes you an easier target for attacks, isolation can be an invite to ambush - and there is a higher chance of the enemy’s success when you are attacked alone.

There will be things in this life that can potentially destroy you, but together we are stronger. The devil is out to attack you but together we can have strength in the Lord to withstand.

This is not to suggest that God is not part of the equation - Peter says submit to God and resist the devil - but to emphaise once more the significance of relationships. Lit. the more the better

When we are together, we are not easily broken. What the enemy wants is to devour. Many times when a predator is hunting they seek to isolate an animal from the herd because it makes for an easier target.

Jesus has done so much to bridge the gap between us and God

Ephesians 2:5 “5 even when we were dead in our transgressions, made us alive together with Christ (by grace you have been saved),” If He did all that for you and another brother it means He has embedded great purpose in two of you being able to work together.

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Our true source of support is Jesus - He says Matthew 11:28–30 “28 “Come to Me, all who are weary and heavy-laden, and I will give you rest. 29 “Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. 30 “For My yoke is easy and My burden is light.””

Our true source of survival is Jesus - He says John 10:27–28 “27 “My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me; 28 and I give eternal life to them, and they will never perish; and no one will snatch them out of My hand.”

Our true source of strength is Jesus - 2 Corinthians 12:9 “9 And He has said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for power is perfected in weakness.” Most gladly, therefore, I will rather boast about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may dwell in me.”