Equations of Life

Introduction: Solomon’s wisdom in this passage demonstrates the importance of sharing life with others. The eastern context is opposed to the western culture. In eastern culture the whole is greater than the individual; however, the individual has highest priority in western culture. The simple summary of this portion of Ecclesiastes is, two is greater than one.

United Partners: Two is Better Than One (4:9-12)

Strength in Unity (4:9-10) - “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.”

Genesis 2:18 (HCSB) - “18 Then the Lord God said, "It is not good for the man to be alone. I will make a helper who is like him.”

Note: The ties of union in Christian fellowship, family, friendship, or marriage are all superior to the life lived without connection to others.

Proverbs 27:17 (HCSB) - “17 Iron sharpens iron, and one man sharpens another.”

Mark 6:7 (HCSB) - “7 He summoned the Twelve and began to send them out in pairs and gave them authority over unclean spirits.”

1 Corinthians 12:18-21 (HCSB) - “18 But now God has placed the parts, each one of them, in the body just as He wanted. 19 And if they were all the same part, where would the body be? 20 Now there are many parts, yet one body. 21 So the eye cannot say to the hand, "I don't need you!" nor again the head to the feet, "I don't need you!”

Luke 22:31-32 (HCSB) - “31 "Simon, Simon, look out! Satan has asked to sift you like wheat. 32 But I have prayed for you that your faith may not fail. And you, when you have turned back, strengthen your brothers.”

1 Thessalonians 5:11 (HCSB) - “11 Therefore encourage one another and build each other up as you are already doing.”

Illustration: Exodus 17:12 (NLT) - “Moses’ arms soon became so tired he could no longer hold them up. So Aaron and Hur found a stone for him to sit on. Then they stood on each side of Moses, holding up his hands. So his hands held steady until sunset.”

Safety in unity (4:11-12) - “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 not easily broken.”

1 Corinthians 1:10 (HCSB) - “10 Now I urge you, brothers, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that all of you agree in what you say, that there be no divisions among you, and that you be united with the same understanding and the same conviction.”

Romans 12:4-5 (HCSB) - “4 Now as we have many parts in one body, and all the parts do not have the same function, 5 in the same way we who are many are one body in Christ and individually members of one another.”

Illustration: This is well illustrated by the fable of the dying father, who, to shew his sons the advantages of union, gave them a bundle of twigs, which could not be broken when bound together, but were easily snapped asunder one by one.

Examples of Threes:

Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob

David’s Three Warriors (2 Samuel 23)

Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego

Peter, James and JohnFather, Son, and Holy Ghost

Proverbs 11:14 (HCSB) - “14 Without guidance, people fall, but with many counselors there is deliverance.”

Ephesians 4:3 (HCSB) - “3 diligently keeping the unity of the Spirit with the peace that binds [us].”

Understanding is Preferable: Wisdom Has Higher Value (4:13-14)

Wisdom’s Advantage (4:13) - “13 It is better to be a poor but wise youth than an old and foolish king who refuses all advice.

Proverbs 19:1 (HCSB) - “1 Better a poor man who walks in integrity than someone who has deceitful lips and is a fool.”

Proverbs 28:6 (HCSB) - “6 Better a poor man who lives with integrity than a rich man who distorts right and wrong.”

Wisdom’s Advancement (4:14) - “14 Such a youth could rise from poverty and succeed. He might even become king, though he has been in prison.”

Genesis 41:14 (HCSB) - “14 Then Pharaoh sent for Joseph, and they quickly brought him from the dungeon. He shaved, changed his clothes, and went to Pharaoh.”

Job 5:11 (HCSB) - “11 He sets the lowly on high, and mourners are lifted to safety.”

Psalm 113:7-8 (HCSB) - “7 He raises the poor from the dust and lifts the needy from the garbage pile ”

Unstable Popularity (4:15-16)

Early Popularity (4:15) - “15 But then everyone rushes to the side of yet another youth who replaces him.”

Note: Solomon became king at 20 years old and served until he died at 59 years old.

2 Samuel 15:5-6 (NLT) - “5 When people tried to bow before him, Absalom wouldn’t let them. Instead, he took them by the hand and kissed them. 6 Absalom did this with everyone who came to the king for judgment, and so he stole the hearts of all the people of Israel.”

1 Timothy 4:12 - “Let no man despise thy youth; but be thou an example of the believers, in word, in conversation, in charity, in spirit, in faith, in purity.”

Exhausted Popularity (4:16) - “16 Endless crowds stand around him, but then another generation grows up and rejects him, too. So it is all meaningless—like chasing the wind.”

2 Samuel 15:12-13 (HCSB) - “12 While he was offering the sacrifices, Absalom sent for David's adviser Ahithophel the Gilonite, from his city of Giloh. So the conspiracy grew strong, and the people supporting Absalom continued to increase. 13 Then an informer came to David and reported, "The hearts of the men of Israel are with Absalom.”

1 Kings 12:13-14 (NLT) - “13 But Rehoboam spoke harshly to the people, for he rejected the advice of the older counselors 14 and followed the counsel of his younger advisers. He told the people, “My father laid heavy burdens on you, but I’m going to make them even heavier! My father beat you with whips, but I will beat you with scorpions!”

2 Samuel 18:9 (NLT) - “9 During the battle, Absalom happened to come upon some of David’s men. He tried to escape on his mule, but as he rode beneath the thick branches of a great tree, his hair got caught in the tree. His mule kept going and left him dangling in the air.”