📖 Ecclesiastes 4:9–12

9 Two are better than one,

because they have a good return for their labor (hard work & suffering):

10 If either of them falls down,

one can help the other up.

But pity anyone who falls

and has no one to help them up.

11 Also, if two lie down together, they will keep warm.

But how can one keep warm alone?

12 Though one may be overpowered,

two can defend themselves.

A cord of three strands is not easily broken.

The Breakdown:

📖 Verse 9

"Two are better than one, because they have a good return for their labor."

(hard work & suffering)

Insight:

• 1+1 doesn't simply equal 2 in marriage. 1 plus 1 could equal 0, if you choose the wrong Spouse. 1 plus 1 could be nearly infinite if you choose the correct Spouse.

📖 Verse 10-11

"If either of them falls down, one can help the other up. But pity anyone who falls and has no one to help them up. Also, if two lie down together, they will keep warm. But how can one keep warm alone?"

Insight:

• Marriage is a gift. In a well-pruned, healthy marriage, we are much stronger together than alone. I'm sure a lot of us have felt pity for single friends, people we know who have been through divorce or even lost their spouse. This is a hard lesson to learn unless you have been married.

📖 Verse 12

"Though one may be overpowered, two can defend themselves. A cord of three strands is not easily broken."

Insight:

• This is where God comes in. God is the third strand that weaves together with the husband and wife. Although two might be better than one, three is nearly unbreakable and 10x times stronger.

Question to think about?

• What is our aim in our marriage? Is this aligned with what we think God wants for us?
• Are we acting like a team with each other and God, or do we still act alone?