Team Work

That graphic makes me think of:

And if one prevail against him, two shall withstand him; and a threefold cord is not quickly broken. (Ecclesiastes 4:12 KJV)

But, once again, it’s not a good idea to one verse out of context. First, remember that this book is attributed to Solomon, and it begins with a sense of emptiness, figuratively something transitory and unsatisfactory. That’s obvious in the first chapter, and here’s an exemple of other verses;

The thing that hath been, it is that which shall be; and that which is done is that which shall be done: and there is no new thing under the sun. (Ecclesiastes 1:9 KJV)

What I like about verse 4:12 is that it is in response to:

There is one alone, and there is not a second; yea, he hath neither child nor brother: yet is there no end of all his labour; neither is his eye satisfied with riches; neither saith he, For whom do I labour, and bereave my soul of good? This is also vanity, yea, it is a sore travail. (Ecclesiastes 4:8 KJV)

I’ve read Mark Shield’s quote “There is always strength in numbers,” but it only proves Solomon’s verse 1:9. That isn’t a new concept. A threefold cord is stronger than one or two.

I’ve seen references to this verse being used in weddings – a bride and groom gather greater strength with God in their marriage. That is a truth. But I really doubt that was Solomon’s base for the verse. He had already broken God’s picture for marriage of one husband, one wife. He is known today for 700 wives and 300 concubines. I can promise you there was no strength in numbers for Solomon in those numbers. And I can only wonder if they were able to give strength to each other, instead creating division.

Having three – or more – people of the same mind working on a single project/concept can provide strength, if they are of one mind. The more people involved, the greater opportunity for diversion, and diversity of goals is opportunity for failure.

God knows more about the nature of mankind that we do. He not only created us, he gave us the ability to make our own decisions. He also knows that created dissention with the first of His creations and a third of them chose to be out of His presence. Portions of mankind make that same choice, freely, happily, in our world today. We know what the Psalmist said about them (and many of us agree):

The fool hath said in his heart, There is no God. They are corrupt, they have done abominable works, there is none that doeth good. (Psalms 14:1 KJV)

Other of His creations know there is a God:

Thou believest that there is one God; thou doest well: the devils also believe, and tremble. (James 2:19 KJV)

What we need to decide for ourselves is not only whether we believe God, but if we will place faith in His abilities as we learn of them. One of the suggestions He makes is:

Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers: for what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? and what communion hath light with darkness? (2 Corinthians 6:14 KJV)

If we do become part of a team – whether that is marriage, work, society, entertainment, church, or any activity that includes us – we need to know what we are joining. No, I’m not going to make a list – it would be different from your list and the Bible has ample examples. So, my suggestion goes back to last Sunday’s message from our Youth Director – pass the choice through scripture tests. God gave us scriptures for our use. II Timothy 3:16-18 gives the why and the type of work that is needed.

Let me give you one more reference – one I use again and again – about how to use scriptures. It’s what I mean when I say “Be a Berean”:

These were more noble than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness of mind, and searched the scriptures daily, whether those things were so. Therefore many of them believed; also of honourable women which were Greeks, and of men, not a few. (Acts 17:11-12 KJV)

Remember – those scriptures were much shorter that what we have today. The Apostles had not begun to write the New Testament. They were still talking to people face to face. Go ahead, try it. It is not only survivable, but people can accept the offer to learn more. It will apply for you, too.