threefold cord
"and though a man might prevail against one who is alone, two will withstand him—a threefold cord is not quickly broken." ~Ecclesiastes 4:12
This verse can be so easily taken out of context, and has long been food for debate as to what it's really saying. Is it talking about the Trinity? Marriage? Gatherings of believers that grow quickly from two to three to more? Is it referring predominantly to unity or to strength? To friendships or intimate relationships?
Whatever the case, most would agree that in its simplest form, it's reminding us that people were meant to do life together. In community (not alone).
It quickly jumps from two to three, almost assuming the "third" person is just *there* all along - and that's why a lot of people jump to the conclusion it's talking about God simply being there.
"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. For where two or three are gathered in my name, there I am among them." ~Matthew 18:19-20
This is congruent with other places in scripture, where God tells us he is there as a part of a gathering of his people, whether two or more!
Many have used the "threefold cord" verse in the context of marriage, portraying a picture of husband, wife, and God, as the three individual strands of the "cord." We sometimes see this at wedding ceremonies, where a three-stranded rope is braided by the bride and groom as a symbol of tying these three relationships together into one. Often, it's even done in the shape of a cross, reminding us of why we can have restored relationship with God - because of the cross. Without it, we'd be left without hope, and without the strength our Christian communities and relationships need; without our "lifeline" or "rope" that connects us to the Father.
A strong rope is made up of multiple strands (a single stranded rope breaks super easily), and three has been a number of "completeness" and "strength" throughout history. Numbers don't tell us everything, but they aren't without significance, either.
And here's where it gets really cool. Just don't take this example further than the analogy it is:
A baby's umbilical cord is made up of three main vessels: two arteries and one vein. These vessels allow blood to flow to and from the baby, and supply the baby with all his or her vital nutrients, including oxygen, while in the womb. The one vein is larger than the two arteries. The two arteries carry waste products and everything the baby doesn't need away from the baby, while the large vein supplies the baby with all it needs to survive. THIS reminds me, more than just about anything, of what a threefold cord really looks like!
Is the verse specifically talking about an umbilical cord? No. It isn't. It most definitely is not. Yet, God designed creation to point us to see patterns and pictures in scripture. And here, in the womb, we find a beautiful portrayal of what a threefold cord looks like. Not only does its appearance remind us of the verse, but its function does, too.
Just like the one large vein supplies the baby with all its vital nutrients, God supplies us, from his word, with all the nutrients we need for life and godliness.
"But he answered, 'It is written, "'Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes from the mouth of God.' ~ Matthew 4:4
And just like the arteries bring waste products away from the baby's body, we can bring all our "waste" to God, laying it at his feet as he replaces our "waste" with the sustenance we need. Prayer is the vessel that connects us to God - our lifeline; our rope; our security. He enters into our earthly relationships and communities and makes them strong. Without his strength in us, we'd be easily broken, just like a one-stranded rope. But connected to HIM, we are made strong!
