The left and the right are used as modern political metaphors for liberal or conservative positions respectively. Among the ancients the left also had a superstitious connotation connected with it, which has even carried over to our own times in some cultures, but neither of these connotations are found in the Bible. Nevertheless, the left side does hold the sense of a less honorable position than that of the right. Blessing, honor and righteousness are often connected with the right in scripture (Psalm 16:8; 121:5), but never with the left. In Ecclesiastes the Teacher puts the fool on the left and the wise on the right (Ecclesiastes 10:2), and according to the word of God, the fool is not an entertainer, as might be understood in some worldly contexts, but, rather, the Bible holds him as a dishonorable figure (Psalm 14:1; Proverbs 10:21:12:15). Nevertheless, although this is the context of the fool in scripture, it isn’t always understood this way in life.
The problem with a fool isn’t that he is especially wicked, as much as he simply won’t listen to reason. He has no heart for wisdom (Proverbs 12:15; 18:2). Instead of wanting to grow in understanding, he already believes he knows as much or more than others in his company, so he goes about unveiling his foolish heart to all who will listen (Ecclesiastes 10:3). He isn’t conscious of his own ignorance, so he takes no pains to hide it. The tragedy in life is that too often folks don’t recognize the fool for who he is, and they are led down the path of destruction by the very one who lacks understanding of the gravity of his decisions or what’s at stake when he fails.
At this point the Teacher mentions the spirit (H7307) of the ruler, or he who is in authority. The sense is, this one is angry with the person under his power. The advice is that one doesn’t hastily leave the ruler’s presence. In other words, don’t stop serving him, because submission would appease his anger, if you are found to be at fault (Ecclesiastes 10:4; Proverbs 15:1), or because submission might convince him of his own error, if you are wrongfully accused (Proverbs 25:15).
It seems that the Teacher is telling us that a great error occurs in life, and when this error occurs no one is able to do anything about it, because the fool is placed in authority over the wise (Ecclesiastes 10:5-7). It is as though the ruler has erred, and, if so, who can correct him? Who has the authority to correct the king or the master of the business in which one labors? Thus, and in such a context, who would have the authority to correct a fool, who has been placed in authority over the wise? The fool already believes he knows as much or more than anyone else (Ecclesiastes 10:3; Proverbs 12:15), and takes no delight in learning concepts that are not his own (Proverbs 18:2). It is an unexpected happenstance that takes place in the course of life from time to time, and the Teacher considers it a great evil.
Such things do occur in life, proving a little folly will be the undoing of an otherwise prudent and wise man (Ecclesiastes 10:1), who errs, for example, by allowing himself to be influenced by the charismatic nature of a fool and placing him in authority over the wise (Ecclesiastes 10:5-7). No matter how many wise men one has at his command, if they serve a fool, much good will be destroyed or simply not be attained through the labor of the wise (cp. Ecclesiastes 9:18).
If we can agree that Judas was a fool, what are we able to determine about Jesus and his ministry, as that pertains to choosing a fool for a lofty purpose? We are told that Jesus knew from the beginning who would betray him (John 6:64; 13:11), so Jesus’ choice of Judas was to fulfill the scriptures (John 13:18; 17:12). No one else knew of Judas’ heart, so he may have been a very likable and charismatic person. All the other disciples were fooled, but Jesus was not.[1] Moreover, if we can agree that Judas, a disciple of the Lord, was a fool, what can we make of the fact that Jesus said that he, Judas, would rule over one of the tribes of spiritual Israel in the Kingdom of God (Matthew 19:28)? Thus, it is implied one needs to take wisdom seriously (Proverbs 4:7), for it is only in embracing wisdom that one is able to detect a fool (Ecclesiastes 10:3).
_____________________________________________________
[1] Simply because a person is illogical or acts foolishly doesn’t mean one can expect folks would reject him. I could offer, as an example, what occurred in modern America between the Obama Presidency and Biden’s. A little more than half the nation believed Donald J. Trump was a fool, while the other half of the nation believed those who opposed him were foolish. It makes no difference what one believes about Trump, the point is about half of the American voters acted as fools either because they embraced Trump or because they opposed him. Imagine! At least about 100 million folks acted as fools no matter what one thinks of Trump, and that’s a fact! Thus, we need to reconsider what we think a fool actually is, because at least half of America is ignorant of this issue!
Smoodock's Blog 
2 responses to “The Problem with a Fool”
Timeless advice. Whether one is left, right, or center, the fool today is swayed by social media and what is popular; not what is upright.
Greetings Dave, and thanks for reading and for your kind support; Lord bless you.
It is almost a helpless feeling one has when under the authority of a foolish person. What can one do? It is a hopeful thought, however, when one realizes and embraces the fact that God is God, no matter who rules (family, business or government). The helpless do have the ear of the Lord, and often matters of interest will attend to the prayer of the faithful, despite outward circumstances.