Ecclesiastes 4:9-12
Thoughts from Pastor Josh
Dive Deeper
“Two are better than one because they have a good return for their labor; 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! Furthermore, if two lie down together they keep warm, but how can one be warm alone? And if one can overpower him who is alone, two can resist him. A cord of three strands is not quickly torn apart.”
Ecclesiastes 4:9-12
Behind the Scenes
Most scholars agree that the book of Ecclesiastes was written by King Solomon toward the end of his reign, after he had lived a life of plenty and worth, tested all his heart desired, and found everything in this world wanting. He writes over and over in this book about the things in life that are vanity. The original word for “vanity” he uses in Hebrew is the word hebel and is also translated as futility or a vapor or a breath. The overall message of Solomon’s book is that the things of this life are fleeting, futile, and so temporary.
But in the midst of Solomon’s message are littered these little positive notes- truths that have resonated down deep in all his searching and questioning, truths that have left their mark on this wise king. Today’s passage highlights one of these truths. Essentially, Solomon is declaring that life is better together.
I find this so interesting, because as a prominent king who had many (many) wives, servants, and subjects, it is hard for me to imagine that Solomon would ever be lonely. Yet, as we read his words, we see that at least at some point, Solomon experienced the pain of feeling lonely. And as such he also understood the importance of community.
It’s also interesting the type of community he references here. This isn’t the type of community who never sees you struggle. No, they see you fall and help you up. This isn’t the type of community that keeps to themselves. No, they provide warmth when you are left out in the cold. And this isn’t the type of community that leaves you to fight your own battles. No, they pick up a sword and fight alongside you. THIS is the type of community that God designed. And it is precious and irreplacable. Solomon understood the difference and gives us the example as a teaching of what kind of community to strive for.
Make it Real
I don’t know about you, but this kind of community sounds amazing on paper. But when you get down into the nitty-gritty of what it means to be a part of this kind of community, it can be really scary. Because this kind of community means being vulnerable, opening up, being willing to fail in front of others, and being at risk of disappointment. This kind of community means that I could get hurt.
But I also know that shallow community never leaves me feeling known, seen, or understood. It doesn’t help me become the person I was always meant to be. No one fights alongside me or picks me up when I fall in shallow community. And if shallow community is all I have, I will feel just as lonely as if I had no community at all.
Robin Williams once said “I used to think that the worst thing in life was to end up alone. It’s not. The worst thing in life is to end up with people who make you feel alone.” Such a powerful statement from someone we know struggled so much with feeling alone in his life. I think King Solomon would have agreed with Robin Williams. Community that is just surface deep never quite satisfies a heart that was made for deep community.
So, we have to be willing to lean in, confess our sins to each other, be real, risk failing, be bold enough to fall apart, and be vulnerable. It’s the only way to the true, satisfying, deep community that God always created us for. It starts with you and me being brave enough to lean in, to step out, to pick someone up when they fall and ask for help when we fall. It means pushing through the fear of rejection and the question of “what if they walk away?” to ask the question, “yeah, but what if they stay?”
Because this kind of community is worth it. I promise.
Crystal Garnett
ACF Digital Discipleship Team Lead
End in Prayer
Lord,
I know You created me for community. But frankly, it’s scary to be that vulnerable around people. Please help me to be bold, leaning on You for strength and worth. Help me to be brave enough to reach out, brave enough to dive deep into the community You have given me. Lord, teach me to lean hard into You and the people You have given me.
In Jesus Name,
Amen