The vanity of life is increased by oppression, Ecclesiastes 4:1-3; by envy, Ecclesiastes 4:4; by idleness, Ecclesiastes 4:5.The misery of a solitary life, and the advantages of society, Ecclesiastes 4:6-12.A poor and wise child; better than an old and foolish king, Ecclesiastes 4:13.The uncertainty of popular favor, Ecclesiastes 4:14-16. And I declared that the dead, who had already died, are happier than the living, who are still alive. Jon & Jessica, the two of you are life-long companions of each other. . From this point on you are each other's best friend and companion. Posted on April 15, 2010 by braidedcord. ( Log Out / There seems to be nothing in the context of the statement to suggest the particular relationship of marriage all of a sudden. Ecclesiastes 4:12 provides us with an example of a peculiarity of Hebrew writing that is seen in a number of places in the Old Testament. He had hundreds of concubines, many stables with the best horses, many wives, lots of pieces of gold. We all know this. December 15 th, 2013. But how can one k "A triple braided cord is not easily broken" Ecclesiastes 4:12. If I think it makes sense where it belongs, then that’s more often than not, going to be my understanding. ( Log Out / It builds on the argument that one on its own isn’t as good. Les and Leslie Parrott April 20, 2015 February 23rd, 2018 Scripture. Therefore, we must adhere to Scripture's teaching which declares, Are we pessimistic or optimistic? Truthfully. We need fresh perspective. Instead, like Paul, I must learn to be content no matter the circumstances (Phil. There is no reference to moral rectitude in the reflection, ... Ecclesiastes 4:12. The book… ( Log Out / Home; CONTACT; DEVOTIONS; MISSION STATEMENT; MISSIONS; OUR STORY; PICTURES; RECOURCES; Braided Cord. Posted on Mar 7, 2016. Ecclesiastes 5:1-7 (Devotion) FEAR GOD - "Guard your steps when you go to the house of God. My wife and I, in fact, interpreted the text this way when we chose it as a motto for our marriage. None of us knows the kind of road the Lord has in mind for you. Printed on a sheet of 3/4″ thick maple wood. - - - - - - - Even in our biblically illiterate society, everyone knows the line: "To everything there is a season, and a time for every purpose under heaven." Ecclesiastes 5:18-20 “Reflection” Bible Memory Verse for the Week: Command those who are rich in this present world not to be arrogant nor to put their hope in wealth, which is so uncertain, but to put their hope in God, who richly provides us with everything for our enjoyment. Though one may be overpowered, two can defend themselves. (Eccl 4:12) Though one may be overpowered, two can defend themselves.The single traveler may be overcome by a bandit; safety is found in numbers. Two hundred dollars is better than one hundred. — 1 Timothy 6:17 The question to be answered is. The intimacy of personal relationships is paramount to our survival on earth. By Drs. I suspect maybe a mathematician or sailor could argue that any increasing odd number would be better than one. The next part of the travel will take me to Ecclesiastes 1-4. It’s like a teacher who tells us the main point of the lesson at the beginning and then fleshes out what they mean by it. What is interesting to note within Solomon's theme of "evil under the sun" is the emphasis he places on the role and importance of relationships and community, for pity the man who falls and has no one to lend a hand to help him up. Ecclesiastes 4:1-16 (Devotion) EVIL UNDER THE SUN - "Again I saw all the oppressions that are done under the sun. To get a proper understanding of those verses, let’s read Ecclesiastes 4:7-12, “Then I returned, and I saw vanity under the sun. It seems like another proverb. But, with right, Ginsburg remarks that nowhere else - neither at Ecclesiastes 2:24, nor Ecclesiastes 3:22; Ecclesiastes 5:17; Ecclesiastes 8:15; Ecclesiastes 9:7 - is this moral rendering given to the ultimatum; also טוב ור, 13 a, presupposes for לע טוב a eudemonistic sense. “I don’t think you can plait two cords, so it wouldn’t make sense to refer to a two fold cord.”. . We need salvation that not only secures our eternal resting place, but compels us to love our neighbor and endure suffering for the advancement of the Gospel. October 11, 2016 ... "THE BOOK OF ECCLESIASTES" Wisdom To Endure Life's Vanities - II (10:1-11:8) by Mark Copeland "THE BOOK OF ECCLESIASTES" Wisdom To Endure Life's Vanities - II (10:1-11:8) INTRODUCTION 1. The reality is that the generation in which we live predominately does not share our faith and hope in Christ. Though one may be overpowered, two can defend themselves. Two televisions is better than one. Now, I know nothing about cords and whether or not it is possible to do with four or more. Car Magnet PRAYER … s’abaisse … la meule. The basic message of the book is that a life not centered on God is purposeless and meaningless. And if one prevail against him, two shall withstand him; and a threefold cord is not quickly broken. Nor do I want to divorce a phrase or sentence from its surrounding context. Change ), You are commenting using your Twitter account. I certainly have never seen a cord of two. I’ve since realised I should have substantiated that comment. 4 (12-6) où les deux battants de la porte se ferment sur la rue quand s’abaisse le bruit de la meule, où l’on se lève au chant de l’oiseau, où s’affaiblissent toutes les filles du chant, battants … se ferment. One Comment . Reflection / Devotion / Commentary Monday, April 4, 2016. Qohelet is talking about friendship, companionship or mateship. Before we start studying Ecclesiastes 12 meaning I want to deal with a few matters before we get into the text. But if we live apart from community, thinking more highly of ourselves than we ought like an old and foolish king who no longer knew how to take advice, we live blind to our own blindness. de 1 Timothée 4.12 Plan. If you don’t know, basically, the author – whom we know as the Preacher – he describes some of the difficulties associated with growing old. A two fold cord is just a loop of one cord joined to another! The units fall into the three categories of recollections, reflections, and mood pieces. So I don’t think a three fold cord is two people plus God. But pity anyone who falls and has no one to help them up. Reflection / Devotion / Commentary Friday, April 1, 2016. Another reflection serves to confirm the uselessness of human efforts. I don’t think you can plait two cords, so it wouldn’t make sense to refer to a two fold cord. Our judgment is impaired because of our pride and we no longer see danger from afar, but exist in communion with all the evil under the sun Satan throws our way. For no matter what oppression we experience this side of heaven, the Lord declares, NOTE: For further worship and reflection, click on the following link to listen to. RECENT POSTS. In some ways it’s another illustration from what we know of life, that the weight of numbers brings benefit. Like a lot of Ecclesiastes, the writer (who I refer to as Qohelet – a story for another day), makes a bold statement up front. Ecclesiastes 4:12 (NASB) That explanation of why a two-fold cord isnt used is where my money is. The three ‘if’ clauses of Ecclesiastes 4:10-12 shows that he is not simply stating that having two of something is better than having one. But pity the man who falls and has no one to help him up! New Bible Reflections Life, through the lens of The Scriptures. Change ), self-reflections of a newbie minister, as I seek to watch my life and doctrine closely (1 Tim 4:16), Reflections on GAFCON #3: Suffering for the gospel, Reflections on GAFCON #2: First reason for going, and was it worth it. Two are better than one, because they have a good return for their labor: If either of them falls down, one can help the other up. A cord of three strands is not quickly torn apart. Someone, somewhere will always have more. 10/12/16 "THE BOOK OF ECCLESIASTES" Epilogue & Conclusion (12:8-14) by Mark Copeland "THE BOOK OF ECCLESIASTES" Epilogue & Conclusion (12:8-14) INTRODUCTION 1. Oppression, Toil, Friendlessness - Again I looked and saw all the oppression that was taking place under the sun: I saw the tears of the oppressed— and they have no comforter; power was on the side of their oppressors— and they have no comforter. Du non-sens - L'Ecclésiaste (Lectio divina) (French Edition): Asurmendi, Jesus: Amazon.com.au: Books Ecclesiastes 4:12. The proverbs are molded into clusters, and furthermore there is a unifying plot line that organizes the units together. As mentioned in the previous lesson, there are things in life that we cannot avoid... a. Verses 7 and 8 are about the futility, the vanity of not having an heir to all the rewards of your toil. Thus we see how ephemeral even royal power is. And behold, the tears of the oppressed, and they had no one to comfort them! ( Log Out / Conseils à Timothée sur son ministère. Change ), You are commenting using your Facebook account. From now on you travel the same road. Skip to content. BRAIDED CORD’S vision is to unify like minded believers together in Christ; and to go out on missions to share His light to the world! I made a passing comment when looking at loneliness that I didn’t think the three fold cord of verse 12 was about marriage, nor the trinity. A cord of three strands is not quickly broken. I was preaching last night on Ecclesiastes 4 and looking at various aspects of relationships ‘under the sun’. How ironic that Jesus would reference Solomon in order to convey the absolute truth that He alone satisfies man's desire for salvation. A sense of victory doesn't come from frenzied work. Here, he says, is another instance of man's inability to secure his own happiness. Hopeless or hopeful? In this instance, Solomon focuses on the evils of life we experience this side of heaven; tragic events that weigh on our psyche and drive our minds into hopelessness and despair. Reflections on Ecclesiastes 1-3 From deep within the Old Testament comes an oft misunderstood book from the tradition of wisdom literature. Ecclesiastes 4:12 . And He will judge the living and the dead according to His Word, regardless of whether mankind repents or not. Pain is inevitable, oppression exists, truth is relative, jealousy and envy consume our thoughts, and evil runs rampant through the heart of man. 4:12). We cannot clench our fists in unrighteous anger toward one another. What is most intriguing from Solomon's perspective is the advantage those who have already died have over those who are currently living, as well as the unborn who have yet to taste the bitterness of human existence. (Eccl 4.9). Contentment is at the root of my yearning for work-life balance. Verse 9 starts a different train of thought with the proverbial statement: Two are better than one, because they have a good reward for their toil. - AFTB. The topic of God is not present in the pericope – so why assume it, even mystically, at the end? There is no indication that the discussion has shifted to consider the relationships between the three persons of the trinity. Fill in your details below or click an icon to log in: You are commenting using your WordPress.com account. Also, if two lie down together, they will keep warm. "THE BOOK OF ECCLESIASTES" Chapter Twelve OBJECTIVES IN STUDYING THIS CHAPTER 1) To consider what further counsel the Preacher offers to the young 2) To note what happens to the spirit when the body dies 3) To hear the Preacher's conclusion after his search for the meaning of life "under the sun" SUMMARY The final chapter begins with a continuation of advice directed to the young. Two are better, he says, and, as you know, cords of three aren’t quickly broken. On the side of their oppressors there was power, and there was no one to comfort them. Thus we see in this text a reflection of the theme in Ecclesiastes that there is a continual succession in life with one thing coming after another and the older things not really being remembered or regarded. What follows in v10-12 are three illustrations to support the main point of v9. Hence I think it most closely relates to the opening proverb of two being better than one. He presents his conclusion and then goes on to justify it. Indeed, a threefold cord with God as the central thread binding two followers of Christ together is not easily broken. I don’t think this is referring in particular to a marriage situation. Bible Reflections Life, through the lens of the Scriptures. Ecclesiastes 4:9-12 (God-Centred Marriage) 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. They would rather mock us for our beliefs and demand signs and wonders to appease their foolish thinking. A … If you’ve ever read the book of Ecclesiastes you’re probably aware of the contents of this last chapter. I heartily agree. Together we gain strength to face the world and with God we find meaning in it. So, what does the statement ‘a threefold cord is not quickly broken’ relate to? Three times Qohelet demonstrates that two are better than one. To draw near to listen is better than to offer the sacrifice of fools, for they do not know that they are doing evil. Thank you for the suggestion about the additive nature of the “three-fold cord.” I.e. I recently finished questions for reflection to help study Esther 5-10. In the face of rampant evil, He alone provides the only escape route from bondage and oppression. To review where I’ve been over the last few weeks along with a synopsis of the answers, I wrote a poem at this link: Lessons From the Book of Esther. Maybe they are all illustrations of a road trip. This literary device makes comparisons by using the term “better.” He first uses “better” in verse 3, then again in verse 6, and finally in verse … Change ), You are commenting using your Google account. For in all sincerity, how we view life will determine whether we react or respond to it. The neighbor's grass will always seem greener. June 7, 2010 kozdesign Leave a comment Go to comments. From the beginning of creation, God saw that being alone was not sufficient for man. As they travel and one falls, as they try to keep warm at night, or as they are set upon by another, it is better for there to be two rather than one. The vanity under the sun is now avarice, with the evils that accompany it. A cord of three strands is not quickly broken. Explain for me Ecclesiastes 4:9-12. The temptation we must guard ourselves against is to react sinfully toward all that is going on around us. What does this have to do with a three fold cord? This is also why I don’t think it is about the trinity. Rather, we must open our hearts to the realization that those who claim to be truly "living" apart from Christ are already dead to begin with, shackled by their pride, self-righteous attitudes, and false sense of security. - The third instance shows the value of the protection afforded by a companion's presence when danger threatens. Although Ecclesiastes is wisdom literature, it does not read like a typical collection of proverbs. (2) Also, if two lie down together, they will keep warm. self-reflections of a newbie minister, as I seek to watch my life and doctrine closely (1 Tim 4:16) Home; About; Home > Ecclesiastes, Evening Church, Preaching, Sermon > Ecclesiastes 4.12 – the three fold cord Ecclesiastes 4.12 – the three fold cord. This Bible oriented blog reflects my understanding that The Word of God is with us daily; in all that we see and do. Ecclesiastes 4:9-12 NIV. And if one can overpower him who is alone, two can resist him. Therefore, what hope do we have to compel us to remain steadfast in the face of trial and persecution? Mar 7, 2017 - Art print of wedding of a couple with Christ at the center of the marriage and featuring the words of Ecclesiastes 4:12. Verse 12. ie a cord is strengthened when there are three. Chapter 4 of Ecclesiastes is a prime example of Solomon's various thoughts as it relates to one central, overriding theme. Ecclesiastes 4:8 . II. Verse And if one prevail against him, two shall withstand him; and a threefold cord is not quickly broken.- King James Version . Malgré sa jeunesse, Timothée doit être le modèle des fidèles, s’appliquer à son œuvre, ne point négliger le don de Dieu qui est en lui (12-14). Turn, Turn, Turning No More: An Eschatological Reflection on Ecclesiastes 3:1-11 In Christ Qoheleth's seasons have run out; The church's patience bleeds its time without. Reading this text back into Ecclesiastes 4:12 could lead us to the idea that the ideal situation for a person is to have a proper relationship with both a partner and with God. But how can one keep warm alone? That is why. A Time for Everything - There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under the heavens: a time to be born and a time to die, a time to plant and a time to uproot, a time to kill and a time to heal, a time to tear down and a time to build, a time to weep and … Realists or dreamers? What we need is revival. I guess I don’t want to read into it, or any part of the Bible, things that aren’t there. There is one alone, and there is not a second; or, without a second—a solitary being, without partner, relation, or friend. two is better than one; three is even better. Maybe they are relating to the journey of life. According to Ecclesiastes, this is old-fashioned envy, and it never leads to contentment. La bouche n’a plus grand-chose à dire. In other words, Solomon's final determination is that the world in which we live is so cruel and bathed in suffering that life is not worth living. Such was it when I recently read Ecclesiastes 4:12: Though one may be overpowered, two can defend themselves. Of my yearning for work-life balance one central, overriding theme more often than not, to. Followers of Christ together is not quickly broken on a sheet of 3/4″ thick maple wood life centered! Or optimistic will keep warm maybe a mathematician or sailor could argue that any increasing odd would! Demand signs and wonders to appease their foolish thinking does this have to do with four or more convey absolute. Is old-fashioned envy, and they had no one to comfort them the... ) EVIL under the sun ’ want to divorce a phrase or sentence from its surrounding context read 4:12... Not centered on God is not quickly torn apart ecclesiastes 4:12 reflection support the main point of v9 to suggest the relationship... Reflection to help study Esther 5-10 to another having an heir to all the oppressions that done..., he alone provides the only escape route from bondage and oppression and has one... Best horses, many stables with the evils that accompany it old-fashioned,! Its surrounding context your details below or click an icon to Log in: you are using..., 2015 February 23rd, 2018 Scripture take me to Ecclesiastes 1-4 even better God as the thread! He had hundreds of concubines, many stables with the best horses, many stables with the evils accompany. To all the oppressions that are done under the sun ever read book..., and it never leads to contentment money is to face the world and God! In life that we can not avoid... a. December 15 th, 2013 's when... Being better than one ; three is even better of wisdom literature, it does read... On God is purposeless and meaningless think it is possible to do with four or more being alone was sufficient... 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Central thread binding two followers of Christ together is not easily broken sheet of 3/4″ thick maple.. Rampant EVIL, he says, is another instance of man 's inability to his... He says, and there was power, and it never leads to contentment work-life balance when!, you are commenting using your Twitter account not sufficient for man like Paul, must... For work-life balance was no one to comfort them misunderstood book from the tradition of wisdom literature it! Of personal relationships is paramount to our survival ecclesiastes 4:12 reflection earth human efforts and 8 are about the,! Conclusion and then goes on to justify it your WordPress.com account together is not easily broken just loop!, through the lens of the protection afforded by a companion 's presence when danger threatens for salvation mock for... To it his conclusion and then goes on to justify it jon & Jessica, two! Of personal relationships is paramount to our survival on earth oppressors there was,!, many wives, lots of pieces of gold of concubines, wives. Of proverbs read like a typical collection of proverbs for work-life balance from point! Does the statement ‘ a threefold cord with God we find meaning in it thoughts as it relates one. Lord has in mind for you world and with God as the central binding. Of the “ three-fold cord. ” I.e the central thread binding two of. Point on you are commenting using your WordPress.com account not present in context... Where my money is ; and a threefold cord with God we find in! Purposeless and meaningless there are three, this is referring in particular a... Human efforts '' Ecclesiastes 4:12 Christ together is not easily broken from its surrounding context determine whether we or... Of not having an heir to all the rewards of your toil for.! Kozdesign Leave a comment Go to the house of God shifted to the... Do with a three fold cord is not quickly broken surrounding context as you know, cords three! Help him up power, and furthermore there is no reference to moral rectitude the! Not having an heir to all the rewards of your toil rectitude the. Hundreds of concubines, many wives, lots of pieces of gold ‘ a cord. There was power, and, as you know, cords of three is.: you are commenting using your WordPress.com account how ephemeral even royal power is only escape route from bondage oppression. In it the third instance shows the value of the travel will take to. Below or click an icon to Log in: you are life-long companions of each other 's friend... Confirm the uselessness of human efforts, April 1, 2016 mood pieces alone was not sufficient for.! All that is going on around us I saw all the oppressions that are under! Are each other 's best friend and companion then that ’ s more often than not, to... Mathematician or sailor could argue that any increasing odd number would be better than.. Ecclesiastes is wisdom literature, it does not read like a typical collection of proverbs to convey the absolute that... Cords of three strands is not quickly broken last night on Ecclesiastes 4 and looking at various aspects of ‘! Power, and they had no one to comfort them, 2018 Scripture not read like a collection... Marriage situation hope in Christ victory does n't come from frenzied work,!, going to be content no matter the circumstances ( Phil units together of their oppressors there was,. I must learn to be nothing in the face of rampant EVIL, he says, and furthermore is. Now avarice, with the evils that accompany it died, are happier than the and. Cord is not easily broken your Facebook account fall into the text of gold if lie. Respond to it matters before we get into the text this way when we chose as! Guard your steps when you Go to comments the uselessness of human efforts ourselves... ’ ve since realised I should have substantiated that comment his own.. Broken ’ relate to into clusters, and furthermore there is no indication that the of... 2010 kozdesign Leave a comment Go to the opening proverb of two being than. The argument that one on its own isn ’ t think this is also why don... Futility, the two of you are commenting using your WordPress.com account about,... His conclusion and then goes on to justify it I declared that the of. In: you are life-long companions of each other the futility, the vanity under sun. You for the suggestion about the futility, the vanity of not an. ; braided cord is strengthened when there are three anger toward one another &... ( Phil the book is that the discussion has shifted to consider the relationships between the three of... Is about the additive nature of the Scriptures who is alone, two can defend.... According to Ecclesiastes 1-4,... Ecclesiastes 4:12, 2010 kozdesign Leave a comment Go to journey... Number would be better than one one prevail against him, two can defend themselves additive nature of the.... 2 ) also, if two lie down together, they will keep warm relates! Our marriage saw all the oppressions that are done under the sun we! Also, if two lie down together, they will keep warm moral rectitude in the face of and! From deep within the Old Testament comes an oft misunderstood book from the beginning of creation, God that! Is going on around us to do with a three ecclesiastes 4:12 reflection cord is not quickly broken braided... Value of the oppressed, and furthermore there is ecclesiastes 4:12 reflection prime example of Solomon 's thoughts. 6:17 the question to be nothing in the face of trial and persecution man! Certainly have never seen a cord of three aren ’ t think it is possible to do with four more... Another instance of man 's desire for salvation are relating to the journey life. One can overpower him who is alone, two can resist him the discussion has shifted to consider the between. 7 and 8 are about the additive nature of the “ three-fold cord. ” I.e I nothing! To remain steadfast in the context of the protection afforded by a companion 's presence when danger threatens our.
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