[242 words]
I’ve heard this phrase all my life – There’s no fool like an old fool. This usually refers to an older man who starts behaving like a child with no sense. Sometimes such fellows had more sense as a teenager than they exhibited in the later life.
In the Bible, Solomon began life as a wise king with a heart for God and his people (1 Kings 3:28; 4:29-34).
However, as Solomon grew older, his mind and heart were distracted by many less noble things. He married 1000 women (free wives and slaves). Many of these women brought to the palace idols of false gods. These misled people of Israel into worshiping false Gods and breaking the first 4 of the Ten Commandments (1Kings 11:1-13).
Then, as Solomon entered the sunset of life, he looked back at all he’s done and said that it was all emptiness, a vanity as if he was chasing the wind. Or, in other words, “There is no meaning in life.” A very unsettling conclusion! (see Ecclesiastes 1:2-8).
Throughout Ecclesiastes, Solomon proved (by his own life) that the old saying is true: “There is no fool like an old fool!”
However, Solomon finally came to his senses. His conclusion wasn’t so negative. What he finally understood in his old age is that anything without God is of no value whatsoever! What makes life wonderful and full is our relationship with God (Ecclesiastes 12:13).
Larry Fitzgerald
Woodlawn church of Christ
Abilene, TX