Eld Ko Swee Chay

Learning from the Experience of Solomon (12)

The Blessings of Companionship and Success Do not Last (Ecclesiastes 4:9-16)

Introduction

In Ecclesiastes 4:1-8, Solomon highlighted things that make life on earth vanity: (1) life is full of oppression; (2) life is just work and never enough; (3) life is aimless in loneliness.     

In the remaining verses of chapter 4, Solomon shared his observations on: (1) the blessings of companionship; (2) the evil of foolishness; and (3) the vanity of progeny.

The Blessings of Companionship (Eccl 4:9-12)  

⁹ Two are better than one; because they have a good reward for their labour. ¹⁰ For if they fall, the one will lift up his fellow: but woe to him that is alone when he falleth; for he hath not another to help him up. ¹¹ Again, if two lie together, then they have heat: but how can one be warm alone? ¹² And if one prevail against him, two shall withstand him; and a threefold cord is not quickly broken.

In Ecclesiastes 4:8, Solomon spoke of a man who works hard and makes lots of money but lives alone. Even though he has no one to share his wealth with, he exhibits an insatiable appetite for wealth. In Ecclesiastes 4:9-12, Solomon contrasted such a lonely life with a life that is lived in companionship. This is how he described such a life: “Two are better than one, because they have a good return for their labour. If one falls, the other can help. But woe to a loner when he falls who has no one to help him up. Also, if two lie down together, they will keep warm. But how can one keep warm alone? If one be overpowered by an attacker, two can hold up successfully against him. A cord of three strands is not quickly broken.” Solomon stated four benefits of companionship:

1. Effective Labour (Eccl 4:9) – When two are working together, they can accomplish more than one individually. The sum will be greater than the parts.

2. Mutual Help (Eccl 4:10) – When two work together they can help each other in times of difficulty. Everybody needs help, and it is a blessing both to give and to receive help. Isolation would mean there is no help when in trouble.

3. Source of Comfort (Eccl 4:11) – Companionship would bring comfort to the lives of each other. The warm friendship can keep one comforted in times of sorrow and trouble, just like one’s body heat keeps the other warm in cold winter.

4. Security and Protection (Eccl 4:12) – Companionship would bring security and safety to each other and protection in times of danger. If a lone traveller is attacked by robbers, he would be easily overpowered, but two travelling together might fend off the attackers.

Examples of “two are better than one” in the Bible:

When Joshua wanted to know the condition of Jericho which he was going to conquer, he sent two men to spy secretly the land (Jos 2:1). Our Lord Jesus Christ sent forth seventy ministers, as unprotected and weak “sheep or lambs among wolves”, “two and two before his face into every city and place ….” (Matt 10:16, Luke 10:1-3).

In the same token, business partnership is more popular and common than sole proprietorship. Each partner would bring in his special skill and knowledge and understanding of the business. They would complement and cooperate with each other to achieve greater success.

Having illustrated “two are better than one”, Solomon then gave a fascinating punch line dealing with the goodness of companionship. He noted that “a threefold cord is not quickly broken”. This is a fact that no one can deny. It is commonly understood that the third cord is God Himself, and that a relationship intertwined with God is a threefold cord that is not quickly broken. This is a commonly and well applied idea of recognizing and embracing God in the marriage relationship.

Clearly and surely, there are advantages of companionship and fellowship with others: to have mutual edification and encouragement (Prov 27:17), to provoke unto love and to good works (Heb 10:24-25). The teaching of Solomon and other Bible verses is aptly applicable in both the individual’s life and church’s ministries. The life of a Christian is not for isolation and loneliness, but for companionship and fellowship. Some Christians prefer isolation because they cannot trust others and/or don’t want to get hurt. No Christian is an island to himself. A Christian cannot thrive without fellowship with other Christians. God’s will for every believer is to have fellowship one with another in Christ Jesus (Acts 2:42, 1 John 1:7). In church ministries, there is no room for a “one-man-show”. Every ministry ought to be managed by a committee consisting of mature Christians. This ensures effectiveness and completeness and promotes interaction and co-labouring. By the grace and providence of God, Calvary Pandan provides fellowships to cater for all age groups, from the youths to the golden years age: YF, YAF, AF, SAF and GYF; and each of these fellowships is led by a committee with members endorsed by the Session/BOE.

The Evil of Foolishness (Eccl 4:13-14)

¹³ Better is a poor and a wise child than an old and foolish king, who will no more be admonished. ¹⁴ For out of prison he cometh to reign; whereas also he that is born in his kingdom becometh poor.

Solomon went on to make another observation: “A youth (“child”) who is poor but wise is commended as better off than an old and foolish king who no longer knows how to receive counsel and advice or heed admonishment. The youth may have been in prison before but because he is wise and his life is ahead of him, he can even become a king whereas the old and foolish king born to royalty lived a foolish life. He has lost everything by his foolishness and has been dethroned. If only he would listen to wise counsel including admonishment, he might still have his kingdom. Because of his foolishness he lost a kingdom! Ecclesiastes 4:14 is intended to corroborate the statement of the previous verse, contrasting the fate of the poor, wise youth with that of the old and foolish king.

King Solomon is a prime example of such a foolish king. As the King of Israel, Solomon did well for the first 20 years of his reign. In the next 20 years, he turned away from the LORD and did evil in the sight of the LORD: loved many strange women, had 700 wives and 3000 concubines, went after and worshipped other gods. The LORD rejected him but was merciful to him by not taking the kingdom away from him in his days (1 Kings 11:12-13).  By the folly and wilfulness of Solomon, God’s holy nation Israel was split into the Northern kingdom (Israel) and the Southern kingdom (Judah) after his death.

The Vanity of Progeny (Eccl 4:15-16)

¹⁵ I considered all the living which walk under the sun, with the second child that shall stand up in his stead. ¹⁶ There is no end of all the people, even of all that have been before them: they also that come after shall not rejoice in him. Surely this also is vanity and vexation of spirit.

Solomon observed in his careful study of man’s life that all who lived and walked under the sun followed the youth (“second child”), that shall rise up and take the throne of his father or predecessor and reign in his stead (“stand up in his stead”). When he considered all the people and those who had been their leaders, generation after generation, he saw that no leader continued to receive the full support and respect of his people, especially when the next generation refused to delight in his leadership and rejected him. This seems to point to the sad experience of David, who was a good king to the people, yet how easily his son Absalom “stole the heart of the men of Israel” (2 Sam 15:6, 12,13).  History tells us that leaders of nations for a short time are extolled and praised, and then are despised and forsaken. This shows the vanity and vexation of the spirit in advancing to positions of power and honour, throughout the ages.

Conclusion

There are advantages to companionship and fellowship in the lives of believers. They are not supposed to live in isolation and loneliness, but to seek companionship and fellowship and be good team members, to help, support, strengthen, edify each other and to provoke unto love and to good works.

God has no respect of persons – whether young or old, rich or poor, king or commoner. What God is looking for in His children is obedience, faithfulness, exercising wisdom, and living a life of holiness, godliness, and righteousness for His glory.

Power, honour, and popularity are temporal. Men seek recognition for their titles, status, and accomplishments, but men are fickle minded, not happy with the status quo, continually fond of changes and not knowing what they are in for. Ruling parties, Presidents, Prime Ministers around the world are voted out once every few years. It is better to seek God’s approval for His love and promises which never change. He is the same, yesterday, today, and tomorrow.  AMEN.