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.”
This is one of my favorite passages in the wisdom literature of the Bible. It captures the truth that life with others is better all around than life alone.
The military and first responders have strict policies that no one goes alone, that everyone has at least a partner and usually several people with them on the same mission. Medical care is usually provided in teams. When it’s really important, we know that groups of people perform better and are safer than loners. One of the stupidest lines in fiction, one that’s repeated way too often, is “No, I have to do this alone.”
The author of Ecclesiastes sees the futility of toiling alone. We should too – we shouldn’t go it alone, or leave anyone else alone. That’s especially true of church.
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