In the book of Ecclesiastes, Solomon asked, “if two lie together, then they have heat: but how can one be warm alone?”, and in chapter four and verse twelve of his book Solomon said, “a threefold cord is not quickly broken”, where we read,
And if one prevail against him, two shall withstand him;
and a threefold cord is not quickly broken.
The verse reads, “And if one prevail against him, two shall withstand him;” Solomon began with the words, “and if one prevail against him” or “and whether and in case a single or solitary person overcomes or overpowers in opposition to someone”, “two shall withstand him” which means “two people will take a stand against, endure and arise against him, the opposition”. Solomon said if a person is overcome by another, two people will be able to stand against the opposition.
The verse continues, “and a threefold cord is not quickly broken.” Solomon added the words, “and a threefold cord” or “and a thread, line or string with three strands” “is not quickly broken” which means “is in no way or manner hastily and speedily torn, pulled or snapped apart”. Solomon referred to the strength that is found in having “three” strands in a thread or rope which is not easily torn or snapped apart.
When we think through the words in this verse, we learn how Solomon continued to refer to the strength that is found in numbers rather than being alone. When someone is attacked or overpowered, two people can usually defend against and hold off the attacker, however, having three people makes the defense even stronger. For this reason, this verse is often used to describe the “threefold cord” that is found in a Christian marriage with the husband, the wife and Jesus Christ making up a strong alliance. God desires to be the strength of our relationship with Him, and because He loves us, He sent His Only Begotten Son Jesus into the world to die on the cross for the sins of all mankind and raised Him from the dead after three days. When we surrender our lives to Him, He will forgive our sins, grant us everlasting life and put His Holy Spirit within us to give us the strongest “cord” or alliance that we shall ever know on earth and in Heaven.
Next time Solomon says, “better is a poor and a wise child than an old and foolish king”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.
Until tomorrow…there is more…
See more devotionals on the website "thewordfortodaywithray.com" or look for the daily devotional book “Equipped for Battle – From Generation to Generation”, the marriage book “So, You Want to Be Married”, “One Year in the Sermon on the Mount” and the new poetry book "Random Mushrooms Volumes I and II" and the new novel "Elizabeth County" in all major bookstore sites, http://www.amazon.com ; http://www.barnesandnobles.com ; download to e-books, and find it locally at www.mrzlc.com/bookstore. All references are from "Strongs Concordance".
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