Ecclesiastes 4:9-12
In my New Living Translation Bible, the heading for this part of scripture is entitled “The Advantages of Companionship”. As a former elementary teacher, I was blessed with co-workers who were a “backpack essential” for my teaching career. We helped each other when times got tough for one of us, we conquered challenges with curriculum and student needs, and we gave each other lots of warm fuzzy words of encouragement. One of the teams I worked with while teaching fourth grade was a special team I will never forget! We were a three-person team who meshed in our styles, built each other up with our curriculum strengths, laughed, and sometimes cried together. Verse twelve states “Three are even better, for a triple-braided cord is not easily broken”. That bond between us made us better individuals, teachers, and friends. At the end of each school day, the custodial staff would start their everyday cleaning jobs in our pod area, because laughter and joy filled our space and they wanted to be a part of it.
Soloman wrote these words around 935 B.C. as a reflection of his life experiences. When he became king, he asked God for wisdom and he became the wisest man in the world. Even with his blessings and insights from God, he failed to heed his own advice and struggled with his life choices. Near the end of his life, with humility and repentance, he looked back at his life and wrote Ecclesiastes. He wanted us to learn from his mistakes by imparting practical wisdom (the advantages of companionship) and spiritual wisdom (faith and hope in God), so that we could live a life of meaning seen in light of the eternal.
Thank the companions in your life who have and are walking with you in this journey called life!
Questions for Reflection:
- How can I be a model of companionship for others?
- Where can I use the lessons of companionship and love of God to give hope to others?
Prayer:
Heavenly Father,
Thank you for the lessons provided through Solomon’s words in Ecclesiastes. Help us live our days on earth remembering you are with us and we are never alone. Amen
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