Ecclesiastes 4

We were made for community, to have relationships with each other. This is why God said in the beginning, “It is not good for the man to be alone.” (Gen 2:18) Of course, God was specifically talking about marriage in that context (which is very important!), but I believe God also made us for community and fellowship with one another.

This shouldn’t surprise us, because God Himself exists in a community, and He perpetuates His nature in His creation. Solomon wrote about that in this chapter: “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. 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? Though one may be overpowered, two can defend themselves. A cord of three strands is not quickly broken.” (vs 9-12)

A cord of three strands. Isn’t that a beautiful description of the Trinity? The Father, the Son, and the Spirit exist in a community of three strands, and because God made us for relationship, it’s also a description of what we can be. Whether it’s marriage or friendship, when we enter into a relationship with another person and Christ is at the center of it, is it not a cord of three strands? This is precisely what God intended for us!

After thousands of years, it is still not good for humans to be alone. God has hardwired community into our hearts, so we not only have the innate desire for companionship with each other, but also companionship with God. That’s because relationships are the only environment in which love may flourish. Since love is centered on others, it is not something that may be experienced in isolation, but must be experienced within a relationship.

Satan has worked very hard to destroy relationships on this Earth—family relationships, marital relationships, friendships, and even general community relationships. Everywhere you turn, there seems to be a general breakdown of wisdom in how to deal with others in community.

But God is all about relationships. And the more we surrender to Him, the more He can restore us into people who will be trustworthy in relationships. He wants us to be the cord of three strands. He wants us to be people who are not easily broken!