Two Are Better Than One
In a day in which individualism seems to be promoted, with the goal of being self-sufficient, living in covenant relationships, such as marriage or the Body of Christ, is deemed as optional and unimportant. This humanistic world view has created a society of dysfunctional families, divided churches and lonely individuals. When God created man, He saw that it was not good for man to be alone, so He created a help-mate for him. These two became one in a covenant relationship, thus reflecting the unity of the God-head and the purpose of their creation.
Throughout the Bible we see God joining people together to fulfill His purposes. The Lord joined Aaron to Moses to free His people from slavery. Jesus sent out his disciples two by two to evangelize the villages of Galilee. The Holy Spirit sent out Paul and Barnabas to open the door of the Gospel to the Gentiles. The Apostles went out two by two in obedience to Great Commission of the Lord. There were the two witnesses in the book of Revelations that were the prophetic voices in Jerusalem in the end days. Over and over we see this pattern in the Scriptures that two are better than one.
King Solomon goes into depth to explain why this principle is so important. In Ecclesiastes 4, we see four reasons why two are better than one. First reason is found in verse 9. Here Solomon says there is great reward or profit. There is increased productivity for their labor. When two are working together to reach the same objectives, their profits are multiplied. The second reason, (v.10), was that the two would help each other. When one falls, the other is there to extend a hand and lift them up again. In verse 11, we see that two are better than one in that they keep each other warm. When adverse conditions come, one doesn’t have to bear it alone. He has someone by his side to give him comfort and encouragement. The last reason is found in verse 12. Two provide protection. Standing alone one becomes vulnerable to the enemies attacks, but with two there is victory.
If you would look at the example of Jonathan and his armor bearer, in I Samuel chapter 14, you would see some exciting benefits of being two rather than one. These two young men looked beyond their own safety to the welfare of their nation. They shared a common heart and vision. Their unity created a place for God to send His blessing and the victory over the Philistine troops was theirs. Seeing their unity and bravery, others took heart and entered into the battle. The victory was multiplied, because these two joined together to do the will of the Lord. Even the fearful and the unbelieving were encouraged and their hearts were changed.
Jonathan had his armor bearer, Moses had Joshua, Naomi had Ruth and Paul had Timothy, who do you have? God places the solitary in families, because He knows that two are better than one.
Scriptures to meditate on:
Ecc. 4.9-12; I Samuel 14.1-23; Psalms 68.6; 133; Deut. 32.30