Trusting the Companion Who Never Lets Go

I further observed all the oppression that goes on under the sun: the tears of the oppressed, with none to comfort them; and their oppressors’ power, with none to comfort them. Then I accounted those who died long since more fortunate than those who are still living; and happier than either are those who have not yet come into being and have never witnessed the miseries that go on under the sun. I have also noted that all labor and skillful enterprise come from people’s envy of one another—another futility and pursuit of wind! [True,]Fools fold their hands together And have to eat their own flesh. [But no less truly,]Better is a handful of gratificationThan two fistfuls of labor that is pursuit of wind. And I have noted this further futility under the sun: the case of a man who is alone, with no companion, who has neither son nor brother; yet he amasses wealth without limit, and his eye is never sated with riches. For whom, now, is he amassing it while denying himself enjoyment? That too is a futility and an unhappy business. Two are better off than one, in that they have greater benefit from their earnings. For should they fall, one can raise the other; but woe to someone who is alone and falls with no companion to assist! Further, when two lie together they are warm; but how can someone who is alone get warm? Also, if someone attacks, two can withstand it. A threefold cord is not readily broken! Better a poor but wise youth than an old but foolish king who no longer has the sense to heed warnings. For the former can emerge from a dungeon to become king; while the latter, even if born to kingship, can become a pauper. as a verb; cf. Ps. 34.11. [However,] I reflected about all the living who walk under the sun with that youthful successor who steps into his place. Unnumbered are the multitudes of all those who preceded them; and later generations will not acclaim him either. For that too is futile and pursuit of wind. Be not overeager to go to the House of God: more acceptable is obedience than the offering of fools, for they know nothing [but] to do wrong.

Ecclesiastes 4:9-12 gives us a triad of companionship images — lifting the fallen, sharing warmth, withstanding attack — culminating in 'a threefold cord is not quickly broken.' Qoheleth observes the futility of solitary striving, yet Scripture's redemptive answer to that loneliness is found not in a second human partner alone, but in faith and trust in the covenant God who binds Himself to His people.