The Rule of Two

September 22, 2015 Year B

Ecclesiastes 4:9-16

In the Star Wars movies, the evil Sith have a rule: there can only be two rulers at a time – a leader and an apprentice. It is actually a very good rule. You can train the younger person to learn how to lead and when the other is old, the younger one can take over. But taking over is the problem. As the younger one gets older, he wants to take over – and sooner than the older wants him to. This is what Ecclesiastes 4:13-16  describes. The people are never satisfied with just one ruler. They want change. The younger succeeds the older. While Solomon explains that wise, poor, and young is better than old, rich, and foolish, the implicit instruction is that two are needed. One to rule and one to take over.

This is why two are better than one. There are advantages (Ecclesiastes 4:9-12). Alone, they can accomplish only so much. Together, they can accomplish so much more. When one falls, the other is there to lift him up. If they lie together, they can keep each other warm. If an enemy comes to overpower them, two can defeat one. Strength is in numbers.

There is power in numbers. Leadership does not have to be a lonely endeavor. One can learn to pass along the wisdom to a younger generation. The rule of two is a great idea – when it is done right.

Prayer: Help me God to see another person as a mentor and as an apprentice. Help me not become conceited in my leadership.