Then I turned my thoughts to consider wisdom, and also madness and folly. What more can the king’s successor do than what has already been done? I saw that wisdom is better than folly, just as light is better than darkness. The wise have eyes in their heads, while the fool walks in the darkness; but I came to realize that the same fate overtakes them both. Then I said to myself, “The fate of the fool will overtake me also. What then do I gain by being wise?” I said to myself, “This too is meaningless.” For the wise, like the fool, will not be long remembered; the days have already come when both have been forgotten. Like the fool, the wise too must die!
—Ecclesiastes 2:12-16

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Wise or Foolish?
By Jennifer Kane

Wisdom Speaks
The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom,
A lamp to my feet, a light to my path,
The wise build upon the rock,
Discretion guards my steps,
Rebuke makes me wiser still,
A gentle word turns away wrath,
Blessed is the one who seeks knowledge,
The wise man listens and grows,
Fools despise discipline,
Yet wisdom calls from the streets.

Folly Whispers
“Follow your heart, it knows the way.”
Shadows dance; who needs a guide?
Sand shifts beneath delighted feet.
Impulse leads me where I wish.
“Who are they to judge you?”
A sharp tongue wields its power.
“Bliss belongs to the ignorant.”
“You already know enough.”
“Why suffer correction?”
But folly whispers in the dark.

Together They Say:
The way of the wise leads to life,
but the path of the fool ends in destruction.

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Scripture: Ecclesiastes 2:12-16

As we recognize April Fools’ Day, it’s fitting to reflect on the contrast between wisdom and folly. The world may enjoy harmless pranks today, but Scripture teaches us to pursue true wisdom rather than embrace foolishness.

In Ecclesiastes 2:12-16, Solomon examines the value of wisdom compared to folly. He acknowledges that wisdom has advantages—“the wise have eyes in their heads, while fools walk in darkness” (v. 14). Yet, he also observes that both the wise and the foolish share the same fate: death. This realization might seem discouraging, but Solomon’s words prompt us to consider what kind of wisdom truly matters.

Solomon, the wisest king, learned that human wisdom alone could not bring lasting satisfaction. No matter how much knowledge one gains, earthly wisdom cannot conquer mortality. The fool and the wise alike return to dust. If wisdom is only about gaining success, wealth, or intellectual superiority, it proves meaningless in the face of eternity.

The Bible, however, distinguishes between worldly wisdom and godly wisdom. Proverbs 9:10 tells us, “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom.” True wisdom is not just about making smart choices—it’s about aligning our lives with God’s will. James 3:17 describes godly wisdom as “pure, peace-loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial and sincere.”

Since both the wise and the foolish will face death, the question remains: how should we live? The answer lies in Christ. 1 Corinthians 1:30 declares that Jesus “has become for us wisdom from God.” Unlike Solomon, who saw wisdom as ultimately fleeting, we have the assurance that through Jesus, our lives have eternal purpose. When we seek God’s wisdom, we invest in what lasts beyond this life.

Today, people might enjoy playing the fool in jest, but let us not be fools in how we live. Are we chasing temporary knowledge and success, or are we seeking the wisdom that leads to eternal life? Let’s strive to be wise, not in the world’s eyes, but in God’s, knowing that the fear of the Lord leads us to true understanding and everlasting hope.

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Heavenly Father, help me seek Your wisdom above all else. Let me not be deceived by the fleeting nature of human knowledge, but instead build my life on Your eternal truth. May I walk wisely, with my eyes fixed on You. I your name, Jesus, I pray this, amen.

April 1 2025