Try Bible Gateway Plus free today! Without a doubt, the book of Ecclesiastes is unique in its style and even its overall theme. 363 Banbury Road Oxford - England - UK OX2 7PL Telephone: +44 (0)1865 515086 Fax: +44 (0) 8721 107068 Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. Though one may be overpowered by another, two can withstand him. Warming. Ecclesiastes 4:9-10: "Two are better than one, / Because they have a good reward for their labor. ? Being in a committed marriage brings the couple permanency of having each other . Bible Q&A: Is There A Difference Between "Good" and "Righteous"? Solomon next describes this committed companionship as walking together. I believe this is a very apt passage, for a marriage is likened to journey. A couple months ago Beth and I drove out to Quantico with Lydia to spend some time with James. The image is explained in Ecclesiastes 4:12, A cord of three strands is not quickly broken. The three-strand cord is understood to be unity between yourself, God, and another person. Marriage involves working and it involves walking. October 2020 Solomon might just be saying that there is safety in numbers. Now we must avail themselves of His love to build our lives together.Thus, for a truly successful Marriage, we are not just to wrap ourselves around each other, but around the Living God, whose strength will fill up our weakness when we are weary. Some even believe this book could have been written by multiple authors. If you work at giving your strength where they are weak, you will recieve a good return from their strength.Return 2: Also, if two lie down together, they will keep warm. Two are better than one, because they have a good return for their work: If one falls down, his friend can help him up. The very first people of creation were brought together by God who saw that it was not good for man to be alone. February 2015 They love because the Covenant requires it, not because the other deserves it. November 2009 However, the principles laid out in the passages can very much indirectly apply to married couples. Ecclesiastes: Baker Commentary on the Old Testament Wisdom & Psalms by Craig Bartholomew. Finally, this a good time before we leave the emotions of this event, to realize we need God every day. This is a perfect setup into the great benefits of being in community with people. November 2017 Thank You for the Word of truth and the wisdom it contains . 2 Corinthians Check. Indeed, his eyes were not satisfied with riches and he never asked, "And for whom am I laboring and depriving myself of pleasure?" This too is vanity and it is a grievous task. are Genesis 2:18 And the LORD God said, It is not good that the man should be alone; I will make him an help meet for him. December 2017 When we reject the help and influence of others, life takes on significant burden and hardship. These are the hands, which will work along side you and will build your future, as you laugh and cry as you share your innermost secrets and dreams. Follow Pre-Denominational Christianity on WordPress.com, Some Questions About Church Discipline Jon Mitchell, Editor (Editorial: November/December, 2022). Here is the take away idea I see in today's scripture: FROM GOOD TO GREAT. Izzy is recently married and since her big day, she's been able to add her own experience of the planning process to her articles. #3. var addy51231 = 'obc.church' + '@'; A good relationship has a good return on its labor. When one of you falls or is opposed in some way at work, having friends to back you up and help you is a good thing. 12 Though one may be overpowered, two can defend themselves. October 2012 He is the One who promises to lift you up. April 2015 February 2018 But pity anyone who falls and has no one to help them up. My words are an attempt to understand and apply the Bible to our daily living. November 2015 Baptist. March 2020 11 Furthermore, if two lie down together they keep warm, but how can one be warm alone? 10 For if either of them falls, the one will lift up his companion. You can connect with Dale and Tamara at herandhymn.com. The last portion of the passage refers to a threefold cord. Chapter 4 of Ecclesiastes begins with a deep lament: The poor and homeless have "no one to comfort them" (4:1). As I looked at the list of workouts I knew there were certain areas where I would score low, because they were areas of weakness. December 2015 9 Two are better than one, because they have a good return for their labor: 10 If either of them falls down, one can help the other up. >, Browse and search all venues by type, location and more, Browse and search all suppliers by type, location and more. October 2017 April 2016 September 2012 When a bride and groom are joined to each other in marriage they covenant to travel lifes road together. He goes on to describe different aspects in life when two are better than one, such as in work, during moments of weakness, for basic survival, and during moments of attack. Acts October 2010 September 2020 IT IS GOD HIMSELF! However, if two horses are trained to work together in a harness they can pull 32,000 pounds! The traditional view of authorship is that King Solomon wrote this wisdom literature. KJV, The King James Study Bible, Red Letter, Full-Color Edition: KJV Holy Bible, KJV Bible, Giant Print Thinline Bible, Vintage Series, Red Letter, Comfort Print: King James Version, KJV Study Bible, Large Print, Red Letter Edition: Second Edition, KJV, Value Thinline Bible, Large Print, Red Letter Edition, Comfort Print: Holy Bible, King James Version, KJV, Thinline Bible, Large Print, Red Letter Edition, Comfort Print: Holy Bible, King James Version, KJV, Journal the Word Bible, Large Print, Red Letter Edition: Reflect, Journal, or Create Art Next to Your Favorite Verses. As two stand together under pressure and attack, they are much stronger. }" September 2015 It is while speaking of working hard while being alone that Solomon then says, Two are better than one, because they have a good reward for their toil. King James Version (KJV). May 2019 But pity anyone who falls and has no one to help them up. Praying through Ecclesiastes 4:12. December 2013 Meaningless! (3) Though one may be overpowered,two can defend themselves.A cord of three strands is not quickly broken.Two are better than one (if they are united that is!). [2] Michael A. Eaton, Ecclesiastes: An Introduction and Commentary, vol. 1 & 2 Kings The boy thought for a moment and answered, "If youre having a wedding, make sure Jesus is there!" If God is not placed first in every liaison that we human beings make (marriage, friendship, or church fellowship) the relationship will be short lived. Enter your e-mail address to follow this blog and receive notifications of new posts by email. 2:4), and biblical love requires they support one another during times of hardship (For if they fall, one will lift up his fellow.) Only in the marriage relationship is the intimacy of the sexual relationship both permitted and encouraged by God (Heb. In the book of Ecclesiastes, the author only identifies himself by the Hebrew word qoheleth,which can be translated as preacher. He never identifies himself by name. //-->, Sundays at 11am and 6pmCheney School HallCheney Lane - HeadingtonOxford - England - UKOX3 7QH, Ecclesiastes 4:9-12 (God-Centred Marriage), The Gospel of John Commentary Chapters 1-11 (by chapter), Pictures Of Salvation (Types and Shadows). But pity the man who falls and has no one to help him up! Oxford Bible Church. Look for a community of people that will build you up, fill you up with the Holy Spirit, and encourage you . You're Preaching, But Do You Know Who's Listening? May 2018 A Member of the Grace Advance Fellowship of Churches. Master Bedroom Wall Decor, Ecclesiastes 4 12, Marriage Wall Decor, A Cord of Three Strands Wedding Sign, Marriage Scripture, Unframed Prints ElevationBoutique (147) $19.99 FREE shipping A Cord of Three Strands Is Not Easily Broken wood framed cross sign, Unity ceremony alternative, Wedding rope ceremony, Ecclesiastes 4:12 TwistedGroveDesigns Respect him and celebrate his significance. Our Lord declared that man shall leave his father and mother and unite with his wife in the building of a home, and the two shall become one flesh. A cord of three strands is not quickly broken. James, your word is love. 1 2 3 4 Next James and Lydia Ramseyer Wedding July 12, 2014 11:00 a.m. Over the years I've reinforced three expectations for our daughters whenever they would talk about getting married. Ecclesiastes 4:9-10 In-Context. Eve was created to be Adams companion and his helper in all things. 7:1-5), thus having application to Solomons point that if two lie together, they keep warm. Jesus also pointed out that it is God who is the third party in a marriage in that he is the one who joins husband and wife together (Matt. The beginning of this book starts out very bleakly as the author is almost shouting at the reader, Meaningless! Again, if two lie down together, they will keep warm; 10 If one falls, the other can help his friend get up. February 2014 Only marry a sold-out Christ-follower. Whatever your marriage is like today, it may be different tomorrow. The nights back then were very cold so the couple after working and walking would need some warming. Jesus Himself said there was one man for whom it would have been better if he had never been born: Judas ( Matthew 26:24 ). Ecclesiastes 4:9-12 The Message 9-10 It's better to have a partner than go it alone. But is this a misappropriated verse? This verse talks about strength in numbers with two or more people together being stronger (Ecclesiastes 4:9-12). For if they fall, one will lift up his fellow. So to sum up, Ecclesiastes 4:9-12 as written in its context is not talking about married couples. Life is better when theres more than one of us. October 2009 A cord of three strands is not quickly torn apart (Eccl. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint (Isaiah 40:29-31).Faith is not just believing in a God out there somewhere, but in a God who is real and here for us, Whom we trust in, and wrap our heart and personality around. 1 Then again, I contemplate all the oppression that is committed under the sun. And not just in times of crisis. In context, Solomon has nothing to say about marriage. 2: vanitas vanitatum dixit Ecclesiastes vanitas vanitatum omnia vanitas. Verses 9-12 serve as a great contrast to verse 8, There was a man all alone; he had neither son nor brotherThis too is meaninglessa miserable business!The author describes the misery a person experiences when theyre alone and without others to be in relationship with. Did you know that one Belgian draft horse is able to pull 8,000 pounds? By the end of the competition, we placed second in my division. September 2018 2 So, rather than the living who still have lives to live, I congratulate the dead who have already met . This is what life is all about. The portion about the third cord being God is questionable, because the point of this book is to explain what life is like apart from God (see verse 7). New American Standard Version Perfect Love gives freely without strings, giving itself continually, but not demanding anything in return. But pity the man who falls and has no one to help him up! document.getElementById('cloak51231').innerHTML = ''; Again, if two lie together, they keep warm, but how can one keep warm alone? April 2018 If we give it then when we need it they will be disposed to also give it to us (the good return)!Return 3: Though one may be overpowered, two can defend themselves (v12). //