WISE LIVING: THE SECURITY OF COMMUNITY
Ecclesiastes 4:1-16
#wiseliving2022
READ ECCLESIASTES CHAPTER 4:1-16 [Jennifer Holmes]
STORY 1
Beaker looked out over the lip of the nest and decided it was a long way down to the ground. Why did nests have to be built so high up? He got dizzy looking from the nest to the ground. Every time he thought about flying, he got a nervous knot in his stomach because Beaker was afraid of heights! Don’t laugh. A bird that is afraid of heights is no laughing matter.
At the beginning of each day, all of the little birds would hop to the edge of the nest and the mother would instruct the birds about flight and they would encourage each other to try and fly. The encouragement was helpful and needed. Each day, one of his brothers or sisters would be successful and leave the nest and fly away. He was the only bird left and hadn’t really participated with the others each day. He had been safe and secure thus far in the nest and his mother had brought him food day after day.
She’d fly away and come back and each time would say: “One day you will fly.”
Each time he would say, “Oh no I will not.”
She would then say: “You can’t stay a baby bird forever.”
He’d then say every single time: “I don’t have to fly to be a bird.”
THE MOST USED WORD IN ECCLESIASTES
We are making our way through the Book of Ecclesiastes focusing on Wise Living. In the Book of Ecclesiastes, you and I find a word that is used over and over and over again. It is used 39 times in the 12 chapters. It is used 4 times just in the chapter 4 (what we are focusing on today).
It is the word: vanity. Depending on your English translation it is the word: meaningless, pointless, futility, fleeting. The word is used poetically for things that are temporary or perishable or unsatisfying or mundane because they are temporary like smoke or our breath on a cold day. Much of life is vanity. The flavor of the word that I think fits the passage best that we are digging into today is: futile.
FUTILITY
The word ‘fultility’ or ‘futile’ means ‘pointless’ or ‘useless.’ In my brain, the word futile means that good energy and constant effort and dedicated time and specific thought and expert plans and repeated attempts are made, but the end result does not happen. All of the effort and trying comes to nothing. There are things like that in life that try as we might, we cannot win or succeed or complete the task. Futile. Futile is not a good feeling.
QUOTE ABOUT FUTILITY… brainyquote.com/topics/futile-quotes
General ‘Stormin’ Norman Schwarzkopf (1934-2012) said: “All you have to do is hold your first solider who is dying in your arms, and have that terribly futile feeling that I can’t do anything about it… Then you understand the horror of war.”
General Schwarzkopf illustrates for us that the feeling of futility is hopelessness and a loss of power and also I think a loss of control. We don’t like that feeling. It is a terrible feeling. Sometimes life feels futile. Being the Star Trek fan that I am I also know that resistance to the Borg is futile, which is also not a good feeling. Futility whether it is in real life or fiction is not good.
What do we do when our good energy comes up with no results?
What should be our perspective when out constant efforts come to nothing?
Our dedicated time and thought lead us nowhere… then what?
Repeated attempts lead us to repeated failure… then what?
FOCUS ON 4:7-12: TOIL ALONE (verses 7-8)
I know we just read chapter 4, but I’d like to re-read just a few verses again from chapter 4 because this is where we are focusing today and these verses give us the answer to all of these questions about futility.
RE-READ ECCLESIASTES 4:7-12 (ESV)
“Again, I saw vanity under the sun: 8 one person who has no other, either son or brother, yet there is no end to all his toil, and his eyes are never satisfied with riches, so that he never asks, “For whom am I toiling and depriving myself of pleasure?” This also is vanity and an unhappy business. 9 Two are better than one, because they have a good reward for their toil. 10 For if they fall, one will lift up his fellow. But woe to him who is alone when he falls and has not another to lift him up! 11 Again, if two lie together, they keep warm, but how can one keep warm alone? 12 And though a man might prevail against one who is alone, two will withstand him—a threefold cord is not quickly broken.”
Verses 7-8 focus us on a person who is toiling in life alone and Solomon sees this as vanity and meaningless and futile. The picture we get is an Ebenezer Scrooge type person who is consumed with money and self and is isolated in life. He is dedicated to making money and working hard and has no one to share it with. He is isolated. He is self-centered. He is by himself. He charts his own road and goes his own way.
The money is in the background for this person and perhaps we are tempted to think that we are to focus on his money. But the real importance is laid out in verses 9, 10, 11, and 12. We have in this person someone who is isolated. That is the key part of these verses. He is by himself. He has no family. He has no community. He has no fellowship. He has no connections. He is living in a futile manner… not because of the wealth… but because of his isolation.
STORY 2
Troy had just run the 12 mile Tough Mudder obstacle course and swam through muddy waters and climbed over walls and climbed under electrified wire. The Artic Enema was the coldest water he had ever been in. After 12 miles of running and obstacle after obstacle he was tired. It was fun, but he was tired. He was covered head to toe in slippery mud, dirt, and pride.
After the last obstacle it all came down to the end. The last obstacle was Everest. Everest is a huge ramp that must be run up and conquered to completely finish the race. He paused at the bottom and gathered all his courage and ran up the ramp as far as he could and leaped forward to grab the lip of the ramp. Hands of the people he had run the race with reached out to help, but he ignored them. He grabbed the lip, but because he was literally covered in mud, his hands slipped and he slid all the way to the bottom.
His second attempt yielded the same result. On the third attempt, he ran up and hands of the people he had run the race with shot out from the top to help him up, but as he was running he yelled ‘I got it!,’ but he lied and he slid all the way back down to the bottom. Determined he ran up the ramp again, but exhausted he only made it half way up. Every single time the hands of his companions were out to help him, but now he could not reach their helping hands. The fifth time up the ramp was also not successful. There was no way up the ramp. He finished the Tough Mudder Race completing all 12 miles and all the obstacles… except one.
TRANSITION
King Solomon sees the futility of isolation and offers wise advice on how to live when we are tempted to isolate ourselves and chart our own path. Wise living according to Solomon is not isolation, but rather connections and family and friends and fellowship… all of which we might summarize with the word: community.
COMMUNITY: EFFECTIVE LABOR (verse 9)
RE-READ ECCLESIASTES 4:9 (ESV)
9 Two are better than one, because they have a good reward for their toil.
Solomon explains to us that working effectively and having days when our toil is rewarded comes when we work in teams and in fellowship with other people. I am the first one to bow out of a group project, but Solomon says that is unwise and leads to futility.
There is wisdom in united strength. There is protection in united work. The yield for two people working together is twice what the yield would be for one person working. Solomon is rightly observing that community brings with it the combined strength of all the members together. Two people working side by side with equal effort sharpen one another, help, and allow for work to be more effective. Community is good.
In Exodus 4, Moses complains to God that the task of freeing the people of Israel is too great. God promises Moses help in the form of his brother Aaron. Many times we think of Moses facing off against Pharaoh alone, but he was not alone. He had his brother with him as an encouragement and also as a confirmation about everything God was doing. Two was better than one.
READ EXODUS 4:14-15 (ESV)
Then the anger of the Lord was kindled against Moses and He said, “Is there not Aaron, your brother, the Levite? I know that he can speak well. Behold, he is coming out to meet you, and when he sees you, he will be glad in his heart. 15 You shall speak to him and put the words in his mouth, and I will be with your mouth and with his mouth and will teach you both what to do.
Community has value because it adds the strength of others to our own. This is a good and wise thing. We should participate in community because there will be someone we can lend our strength to and there might be times when we ourselves need some strength.
COMMUNITY: AID IN FALLING (verse 10)
10 For if they fall, one will lift up his fellow. But woe to him who is alone when he falls and has not another to lift him up!
Solomon continues his observations that community is needed in life to battle against futility. He continues his thought in verse 10 by saying that we all fall down and sometimes we need a hand up. Solomon sees it a terrible woeful thing for the person who falls and there is no one there to help.
I think Solomon makes it very clear here that at one time or another, every single person needs help. Disaster may come. Hardship is a normal season of life. Hurt is inevitable. Some of us deny this reality and we are poorer for it. Everybody needs help at some point. It is a blessing to give help when a disaster or hardship strikes. It is a blessing to receive help in a time of hurt.
It is not weak to accept help. It is wise. The wisest man who ever lived says it is wise to accept a hand up when you need it and I would say he would also add that it is wise to help another up when they fall.
I cannot help but think symbolically about the word ‘fall here’ in verse 10. The word literally means ‘to fall’ which is a physical action. The Bible also uses the word ‘fall’ to indicate someone is dealing with sin or gets caught up in a sinful pattern. It is a fantastic blessing for someone to come along side and gently help us back on our feet with God.
READ GALATIANS 6:1-2 (ESV)
Brothers, if anyone is caught in any transgression, you who are spiritual should restore him in a spirit of gentleness. Keep watch on yourself, lest you too be tempted. 2 Bear one another's burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ.
Community has value because life is unpredictable and hard and unfair. We selfishly think we can do everything by ourselves, but that is not wise. Understanding what life is like means understanding help may be needed. Additionally, wisdom says you will fall. Understanding of the sinful human nature says at some point you will get yourself in a mess and need someone to help.
COMMUNITY: WELL-BEING (verse 11)
11 Again, if two lie together, they keep warm, but how can one keep warm alone?
Solomon presents, in my opinion, a non-sexual example of community. Solomon is not afraid of speaking about life in sexual terms… just read the Song of Solomon… but here is again speaking about the wise advantages of companionship and community. The fact is that if you are out and about or camping or whatever… body warmth together will keep you warm. A fire, a coat, and not going out in the first place will also keep you warm, but that is not Solomon’s point.
Solomon’s wise point is that life can be hard and cold and community helps make that better. That is it. No hidden meanings. Nothing to dig further on. Aloneness is highlighted. Isolation is not a good thing. Isolation is something that can damage us and is perilous. Loneliness leads to dissatisfaction in life and a feeling of hopelessness and futility.
ILLUSTRATION… apa.org/monitor/2019/05/ce-corner-isolation
How harmful is isolation? How harmful is loneliness?
There are many alarming health and mental health risks associated with loneliness. According to a meta-analysis co-authored by Julianne Holt-Lunstad, PhD, a professor of psychology and neuroscience at Brigham Young University, lack of social connection heightens health risks as much as smoking 15 cigarettes a day or having alcohol use disorder. She’s also found that loneliness and social isolation are twice as harmful to physical and mental health as obesity (Perspectives on Psychological Science, Vol. 10, No. 2, 2015).
READ MATTHEW 18:19-20 (ESV)
Again I say to you, if two of you agree on earth about anything they ask, it will be done for them by My Father in heaven. 20 For where two or three are gathered in My Name, there am I among them.
Community has value because it helps with the downsides of isolation and loneliness. It is community that enables us to connect to one another emotionally and spiritually and mentally and I would say even physically at times to make healthy connections. The connection of two or three is powerful.
COMMUNITY: STRENGTH (verse 12)
12 And though a man might prevail against one who is alone, two will withstand him—a threefold cord is not quickly broken.”
Solomon finishes off his community focus by again highlighting that human relationships have wise value. When two or more work and live together and keep each other accountable, they can bring security and safety to each other.
Solomon says the same thing elsewhere:
READ PROVERBS 27:17 (ESV)
Iron sharpens iron, and one man sharpens another.
I think in verse 12, Solomon has a contentious situation in mind because he uses words like ‘prevail’ and ‘withstand’ and ‘broken.’ When we face off against hardship or unfairness or pressing matters or difficult people, it is wise for someone to have your back. It is wise to talk issues over with someone. Going it alone is not wise.
Community has value because division and isolation cause weakness. Community brings people together and binds us together in ways that brings strength and help and purpose and allows us to prevail and withstand and overcome the pressures of life.
STORY 3
The old man looked at the dentist and said, “It just isn’t going to work. My teeth are the most stubborn part of me and that is sayin’ something.”
“It will work,” the dentist said as he tied the thin string to the door handle. “I will just close the door and your tooth will just slip painlessly out of your head.” One end was already tied to the old man’s tooth. The old man just shook his head no.
The dentist quickly closed the door and the string went tight. To the dentist’s surprise, the door handle came off the door and clattered onto the floor. There the old man sat with a string hanging out of this mouth with a big smile. “Toldja,” the old man said.
The old man then found himself outside in the parking lot of the dentist’s office. The dentist had left the tooth tied in his head, but had untied the other end from the doorknob and it was now being tied to the end of a small remote control rocket. “This will do it,” the dentist said, “I will flip the switch and the tooth will just pop out. No problem. No biggie.”
The old man looked at the dentist and said, “It just isn’t going to work. My teeth are the most stubborn part of me and that is sayin’ something.”
The dentist took the remote control in his hand and pushed the button. With a wooosh the rocket took off. Oddly, the string held tight but the rocket flew in an arc right into the ground anchored by the stubborn tooth. “Toldja,” the old man said.
Once again the dentist and the old man were back in the office and the man was back in the chair. “We’ll just do it the old fashioned way,” the dentist said grabbing a gentle pair of forceps. The old man looked at the dentist and said, “It just isn’t going to work. My teeth are the most stubborn part of me and that is sayin’ something. You will need help. Three people ought to do it.”
The dentist shook his head no and was about to extract the tooth and then had a thought. “You’ve been right so far, haven’t you,” the dentist said to the old man. The old man just nodded. The dentist called in two assistants and all three of them took hold of the gentle pair of forceps and pulled. Out popped the tooth.
“Toldja,” the old man said with a grin missing one tooth.
SUMMARY AND TRANSITION
King Solomon is observing life and notices that life in isolation is futile. He wisely observes that living life in community has advantages:
* Community increases effectiveness and laboring together produces better results.
* Community helps when we fall and enables us to cope with a hand up.
* Community ensures our well-being in harsh situations.
* Community combines our strength together when we need strength.
All of these things King Solomon sees as wise in the midst of living life that at times can be futile. We should not forget that Solomon is presenting us with his observations and findings and he has a huge conclusion in chapter 12. We talk about his conclusion every week.
WISE LIVING: ECCLESIASTES 12:13
At the end of Solomon’s deliberations about life in the Book of Ecclesiastes, he arrives in chapter 12 with a thought to end all thoughts.
READ Ecclesiastes 12:13 (ESV)
The end of the matter; all has been heard. Fear God and keep His commandments, for this is the whole duty of man.
You see life is absolutely meaningless, pointless, futility, fleeting, a brief breath and a quick vapor unless you and I have a God-given perspective about life. The futility of life can become overbearing and overwhelming when we seem to be getting nowhere no matter how hard we try, when we fail, when we are in a harsh season, or when we feel weakest. The end of the matter for the wisest person who ever lived was that the whole duty of a human being is to live in a proper right relationship with God. God must be in the middle of our lives or we are lost.
It is the right relationship with God that brings meaning and makes everything make sense.
It is in following the commands of God that purpose and identity is given.
It is when we seek after God and His Kingdom that all the pieces of our lives fall into place.
How does Ecclesiastes 12:13 apply to chapter 4?
Ecclesiastes 12:13 applies in that we should not walk with God alone in our lives. Isolation is not for the godly and we fear Him and keep His commandments. We are meant to be in community with other believers as we fear Him and keep His commandments. Solomon sees futility in life, but does not say that community is futile… in fact… it brings security.
If only there was a regular gathering of believers to worship and study the Bible with.
If only there was a community of people dedicated to your spiritual well-being ready to talk anytime.
If only there was a community with people ready to pray with you about burdens.
Oh wait, it is called the Church.
READ ACTS 2:42-44 (ESV)
42 And they devoted themselves to the apostles' teaching and the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers. 43 And awe came upon every soul, and many wonders and signs were being done through the apostles. 44 And all who believed were together and had all things in common.
READ ROMANS 12:4-5 (ESV)
4 For as in one body we have many members, and the members do not all have the same function, 5 so we, though many, are one body in Christ, and individually members one of another.
READ HEBREWS 10:24-25 (ESV)
And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near.
APPLICATION
Being part of a church body is seen as optional today and that is a lie from the pit of hell. Thinking that we do not need other believers or choosing to stay home more often than we gather is weakening our faith.
* A church community increases effectiveness and laboring together for God.
* A church community helps when we fall and enables us to cope with a hand up and prayer.
* A church community ensures our well-being in harsh situations as people minister to us.
* A church community combines our strength together when we need strength.
OPPORTUNITIES
Without going into it too much, our church meets weekly on a regular basis as a faith community dedicated to each other. It is why we gather. We gather to focus on God and to strengthen each other as we meet. If church isn’t a priority for you, then isolation is going to creep up and bite you in the soul.
Weekly Prayer Time for the church at 9:00am
Weekly Sunday School classes for all at 9:30am
Weekly Worship on Sundays at 10:30am
Weekly Bible studies on Wednesday at 7:00pm
Seasonal Men’s and Women’s small groups
You will be hearing even more and more in the coming months about discipleship groups that will be forming to deepen our faith and connect us better to one another. Don’t ignore these things, but invest your time and energy and effort. It isn’t futile.
* Living in community with other believers laboring for God is not futile.
* Living in community with other believers in prayer and helping when we fall is not futile.
* Living in community with other believers committed to our well-being is not futile.
* Living in community with other believers strengthening us is not futile.
At least, that is what a wise man said.
CONCLUSION IN PRAYER
INVITATION
