Ecclesiastes 4:9 Two [are] better than one; because they have a good reward for their labour.. Ver. May you find meaning and hope as you read through each message and seek to hear God's voice. Here, the Preacher keeps some of his earlier emphasis on work – but the emphasis is much heavier on the concept of companionship and its benefits. The fool does nothing, and consumes his own flesh 2. IT BREEDS ENVY IN OTHERS (4) 1. It accepts the beloved as he or she is, and is patient and kind, giving them time to change. For if they fall, one will lift … 7 Go, eat your food with gladness, and drink your wine with a joyful heart, for God has already approved what you do. (13-16) Verses 1-3 It grieved Solomon to see might prevail against right. Every Sunday the worship service includes a message from the Bible. Two strands alone are limited, and not stable for they can easily unravel under pressure, and slide over each other with friction, but the 3rd stand fixes the other two into place and adds its strength to them, that 3 intertwined strands are bound firmly together. 1 of 1. 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. So, who is this 3rd Strand, who will make all the difference? Whatever hardships we face, our Marriage will be a success, if we turn to God in the good and bad times, asking for His help and to fill us with His Love, and then respond to each other consistently in unconditional Love. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. Yes, you have to work at the Marriage, to keep the harmony, and make compromises, but it will pay off for whatever you put into it, you will get a good return. Ecclesiastes 4:9-12 NIV. It is better to have a little with quietness III. This email address is being protected from spambots. This is a study guide commentary which means that you are responsible for your own interpretation of the Bible. (Read Ecclesiastes 4:9-12) Surely he has more satisfaction in life, who labours hard to maintain those he loves, than the miser has in his toil. (4-6) The folly of covetousness. 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. 4:9-12 Surely he has more satisfaction in life, who labours hard to maintain those he loves, than the miser has in his toil. Thus God’s purpose in Marriage is that it should reflect the glory of the Triune God. 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). 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. The response to their weakness is to offer your strength to fill that gap. This kind of Love is impossible for us in our own strength, but when it seems hard we can turn to God - the Source of all Love and by faith receive an infilling of His Love.  He makes His love available to all. Verse 10 points out that if there is an accident while working, the one will be able to help the other.  Being alone, one might get hurt but there is no one to help him or get medical attention for him. 9 Enjoy life with your wife, whom you love, all the days of this meaningless life that God has given you under the sun—all your meaningless days. The Value of a Friend. Verse 9 shows how that two working together have a greater reward.  Two workers are better than one because they will produce more efficiently when they work together cooperatively. DISCUSSION QUESTIONS. (9-12) the changes of royalty. The questions contain minimal human commentary, but instead urge students to study to understand … Marriage is God’s idea: to reflect His nature.This is stated in Genesis 1:27: “God created man in His own image, in the image of God created he him; male and female created he them.” Together man and woman make up a more complete image, as the two are joined together in unity; and if they are also both spiritually joined to God (the 3rd Strand) in faith and love, then together their Marriage forms an image of the perfect and unbreakable union of our Triune God. Try it free for 30 days! Does God wants us to be rich? Leave a comment to ask questions or inspir… 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). Instead they inspire one another to greater things by their love. However, if they wrap themselves around each other , through their union they form something stronger than 2 individual strands, for they give strength to each other through their union. Verse 11 shows the advantage of two being in a relationship.  If there is a cold night, two together would produce heat, helping to keep each other warm. As Christians we have all the material we need to build a strong Marriage. Ecclesiastes 3 Ecclesiastes 5 ... Advance your knowledge of Scripture with this resource library of over 40 reference books, including commentaries and Study Bible notes. 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. 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. Fulfilling this they are the image of God and glorify Him in their union.The kind of love needed for a lasting Marriage is a selfless, self-giving, committed, love, that puts the other first. The greediness of this man leads Solomon to point out four reasons why it would be better for this man to have a mate to share his life with, rather than continue to work only to amass wealth for himself. Ecclesiastes 4:9–12 9 Two are better than one; because they have a good reward for their labour. It knows that the beloved is not perfect and will make mistakes. "Two are better than one, because they have a good reward for their toil. And then we get into Ecclesiastes 4:9-12. Learn more. 2:11.I. 10 … “This picture of lonely, pointless busyness, equally with that of jealous rivalry in verse 4, checks any excessive claims we might wish to make for the blessings of hard work.” (Kidner) 3. Try it for 30 days FREE. The author of Ecclesiastes writes about our lives that are ‘inthis world’. Posted on Mar 7, 2016. And He makes this kind of love available to us, so that we can love like Him. If they pull in opposite directions that is different of course! //