Do you share your plans with your wife? Tamara Chamberlain and her husband Dale are authors and speakers who are passionate about loving and serving Jesus together. Allow me to ask a few questions on husband and wife relationships. This is a perfect setup into the great benefits of being in community with people. However, the principles laid out in the passages can very much indirectly apply to married couples. When the startup was in a very shaky way, he realized that there was not enough money for everybodys salary. Do you, as a wife, submit yourself to your husband? All rights reserved. Lets take a lookat the next section on Ecclesiastes 4:10-12. When this perspective of Gods truth becomes established in our lives, then the church is strong. Ecclesiastes 4:9-12presents marriage asteamwork, and reminds us how marriage is strengthened with God at the core. 
The traditional view has been called into question based on some scholars believing this book was written after the death of King Solomon. When we reject the help and influence of others, life takes on significant burden and hardship. The basis now for how they relate is not how loving the other person is, but their Covenant Vows. WebEcclesiastes 4:9-10 New International Version 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. Perfect Love gives freely without strings, giving itself continually, but not demanding anything in return. Alone, you shiver all night. Sign up now for the latest news and deals from Bible Gateway! 
In the end, it is a strange joy only found through full consideration of the mysteries of God. The way something is done is as at least as important to what is being done. Each of us is like a living stone. One can overpower him who is alone, but two can resist an attacker. What he finds is that while you can search all day long, in the end we all die and it was all worth nothing. Also, if two lie down together, they will keep warm. WebEcclesiastes 4:9-12 NIV. 
Depending on the date ascribed to this book, the author might be different. Bible Study Questions and Short Commentary. He has loved us with an everlasting, unconditional love (Jeremiah 31:3). WebTwo Or more, who live together in any kind of society, and join their powers together in pursuit of any important object; are better than one Act more cheerfully, and accomplish their designs more readily, than any of them could do in a solitary state; because they have a good reward for their labour Have great benefit by such combinations We All Make MistakesSo Dont Tell Us That Weve MadeOne!! 
When we reject the help and influence of others, life takes on significant burden and hardship. The patient, teachable reader will discover truth, hope, and challenge within these chapters. But woe to the one who falls when there is not another to lift them up. "Be Still and Know that I Am God" "Pray Without Ceasing" "Fearfully and Wonderfully Made""All Things Work Together for Good" "Do Not Fear", What Is Holy Week? To be alone isnt necessarily seen as negative, but when you add another person to your life the situation is usually better. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. In Ecclesiastes 4:912, Solomon reflects on the importance of companionship and the benefits of people working together. Why or why not. Contextually, Solomon is talking about the work a person does with his hands (Eccl. When someone is good at their job, it can cause others to be jealous of them (v. 4). Traditionally, the Bible venerates marriage between a man and a woman. 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. You see it for a moment, then it is gone. We believe that more good can come from many of us working interdependently rather than a number of uncoordinated and uncommitted individuals. Marriage exists because God observed that it is not good that the man should be alone; I will make him a helper fit for him (Gen. 2:18-24). Some Biblical Perspectives About TheNews. 11 Things You Need To Know About Your Preacher Dewayne Bryant, Ph.D. The Lord Has Made Known His Salvation Kenneth Moore. It is in the fulfilling of each others needs and the completing of each other that the relationship is strengthened (if they had no weakness they would not need you and then the relationship would be weak!) My attitude toward my boss is more important than just working on that project for him. And over all these virtues put onlove, which binds them all together in perfect unity., 8. Each person must be convinced of their part in the whole, or the church will be weak. WebTwo are better than one, because they have a good return for their labor: New Living Translation. 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). The word synergy is made up of two Greek words meaning work together. They are not living in that context for themselves but for the good of the whole. Two are better than one. As a prisoner for the Lord, then, I urge you to live a life worthy of the calling you have received. Start FREE. Of course, just stating that a group is a team helps but does not in itself create a good working team. If we stay close to Him, we will form a 3-Stranded Rope that cannot be broken:He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak. How else was the Great Wall built? GOD-CENTRED MARRIAGE (Ecclesiastes 4:9-12):Two are better than one,because they have a good return for their work(the investment they put into their relationship):(1) If one falls down, his friend can help him up.But pity the man who falls and has no one to help him up! As the rivers flow endlessly to the sea, so one life flows to the next. Each individual needs to be committed to the joint task, but also to that of working with and valuing the contributions of others. It is the same as other areas of our lives. Also, if two lie down together, they will keep warm. God's infinite unselfish Love is shown in that He gave His Son to us to save us when we only deserved His judgement (John 3:16). Nobody will remember it. WebEcclesiastes 4:9-10 New International Version 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. document.getElementById('cloak46084').innerHTML += ''+addy_text46084+'<\/a>'; But the gathering of fellow believers is also for the benefit of us as individuals. How else was the Great Wall built? This is not how we are meant to live! When two together pursue their labor, one will be there to lift up his companion. Solomon says that when two or more work together for a common purpose that they will have a good return for their labor. He begins by stating, Two are better than one, because they have a good return for their labor ( Ecclesiastes 4:9 ). It continues to be true over and over again. because they have a good return for their labor: Deepen your knowledge of Christ's journey to the Cross. Change). 
This does not mean that it might be a special burden or vision that God has given to us. A community. Check out the BFF Resource Center where this and many hundreds of articles can be found in printable form (pdf) and This article is part of our larger resource library of popular Bible verse phrases and quotes. He had hundreds of concubines, many stables with the best horses, many wives, lots of pieces of gold. If not, why? Thus husband and wife are to wrap them themselves around each other, emotionally and physically, giving love and support "Therefore shall a man leave his father and his mother, and shall CLEAVE (be united) unto his wife: and they shall be ONE flesh" (Genesis 2:24).That which binds the strands is LOVE - the KEY to a SUCCESSFUL MARRIAGE. It guarantees the feelings stay alive and protects the relationship from a downward spiral of each withdrawing love in revenge against the other being selfish. Does "For As Often As You Eat This Bread And Drink This Cup" Allow Personal Judgment As To The Frequency Of Observing Communion? A strong marriage is largely built on this truth and the individual spouses commitment to their role in carrying out this truth. var addy_text46084 = 'obc.church' + '@' + 'yahoo' + '.' + 'co' + '.' + 'uk'; These are general life circumstances, but thats because this truth can really be applied to any part of your life. Again, if two lie together, they keep warm, but how can one keep warm alone? He valued the livelihood of the others more than his own. Bible Q&A: How Could The Early Church Stay Faithful Under The Reigns of RomanEmperors? He gave others their salary but did not take one himself. You may unsubscribe from Bible Gateways emails at any time. Its through relationship with others and God that we truly live the life God created for us. This is what he missed despite the many projects he completed. Utilizing a mix of imagery and direct description, the Book of Ecclesiastes is an honest attempt to reconcile life on this Earth with the mysteries of Heaven. Two hundred dollars is better than one hundred. (See more on this.). - Ecclesiastes 4:9-10 Reflection None of us are meant to journey through life alone. Each becomes a setting for a persons choices. Then Peter came to Jesus and asked, Lord, how many times shall I forgive my brother or sister who sins against me? But I quickly realized there was a tremendous advantage to competing together, with a partner. Reality might be an acquired taste, but Solomon urges us to see reality for what it is. Here is the take away idea I see in todays scripture: FROM GOOD TO GREAT. In fact He has revealed His inner nature as being 3 Persons (Father, Son and Spirit) intertwined together in one (as one Being), bound together in unity in perfect Love, just like a rope of 3 strands. Whether it be a spouse, a family member, a good friend, or even a care-giver, God has placed people in our lives to help us better see His goodness and love. The Christian faith has never been about solely building your relationship with Jesus, but about how the redemption received in Jesus needs to be shared with others. Marriage exists because God observed that it is not good that the man should be alone; I will make him a helper fit for him (Gen. 2:18-24). 
As a part of a team. 
WebIn any case, we will find that great marriages have a deeper trust in Gods plan. WebEcclesiastes 4:9-12 The Message 9-10 Its better to have a partner than go it alone. So, who is this 3rd Strand, who will make all the difference? Copyright 2019 by Zondervan. We have worship time each day. And if one falls down, the other helps, But if theres no one to help, tough! A marriage is especially strong if it is more than a bond between just two people. The wisdom shown in these four verses can be agreed with, even if you dont consider yourself a follower of Jesus. That is because it is truth taught by the Word of God, Two are better than one. When anyone utilizes this truth, they will be blessed. How to Find Biblical Joy When You Are Experiencing Sickness California - Do Not Sell My Personal Information. Two are better than one. Basically, what Solomon is saying here is that is better to have friends and companions while you work at your job because those friends can help you as you work together. He tries every sort of pleasure and entertainment, spanning the full spectrum of wine, women, and song. We might not know how, but we trust God to maintain that relationship and continue on in hope. Two is the minimum number needed for this relationship, and so it is used to describe what Solomon is speaking of. Then when you call upon me and come and pray to me, I will hear you. This faith helps both spouses look behind their spouses problem and more toward Gods greater work. Ecclesiastes tackles the kinds of things we think about but do not often say. My pursuit of excellent service is shaped by concern for those around me. Somehow a greater return will come from each situation; even if it takes a miracle. WebMarriage, of course, involves the closest of friendships. But pity anyone who falls and has no one to help them up. [Jesus] replied 'Truly I tell you,if you have faith as small as a mustard seed,you can say to this mountain, Move from here to there, and it will move. We need one another to help spur us on toward a life of faith. His unsurpassed wisdom allowed him the faculties to design a vast array of activities, as well as assess their results, and determine their meaning. Berean Standard Bible. 1 Peter: We Have What Old Testament Prophets and Angels Longed ToHave, Follow Pre-Denominational Christianity on WordPress.com, A Reminder of the Blessings We Receive From Our Father Jon Mitchell, Editor (Editorial: January/February, 2023).