“A Wise Man’s Heart Directs Him Toward the Right”

“A wise man’s heart directs him toward the right, but the foolish man’s heart directs him toward the left” (Ecclesiastes 10:2).

People commonly use the terms “right” and “left” as labels for opposing political ideologies. This verse is sometimes used, jokingly, to say that those who are wise will support conservative candidates on the “right” and if one supports liberal candidates on the “left,” then he must be foolish. However, we understand that this verse is certainly not talking about politics. But the “right” and “left” labels are used for a reason. Notice how this verse is translated in the King James Version:

“A wise man’s heart is at his right hand; but a fool’s heart at his left.”

Throughout Scripture, the “right hand” is used in a positive way. Solomon was saying more than just that the hearts of the wise and foolish lead them in opposite directions. He was teaching that the pursuit of wisdom is better than following after foolishness.

Let us notice some of the ways in which the “right hand” symbolism is used in the Scriptures and how it applies to wisdom.

The Right Hand Symbolizes a Position of Blessing

“Joseph took them both, Ephraim with his right hand toward Israel’s left, and Manasseh with his left hand toward Israel’s right, and brought them close to him. But Israel stretched out his right hand and laid it on the head of Ephraim, who was the younger, and his left hand on Manasseh’s head, crossing his hands, although Manasseh was the firstborn. […] Thus he put Ephraim before Manasseh” (Genesis 48:13-20).

When Joseph brought his two sons to be blessed by the patriarch Jacob (Israel), he assumed his firstborn, Manasseh, would receive the greater blessing. When Jacob placed his right hand on the head of Ephraim, Joseph knew this meant that Ephraim would receive the greater blessing. Wisdom provides a great blessing to those who possess it. Solomon wrote, “How blessed is the man who finds wisdom and the man who gains understanding. For her profit is better than the profit of silver and her gain better than fine gold” (Proverbs 3:13-14). “She is a tree of life to those who take hold of her, and happy are all who hold her fast” (Proverbs 3:18).

The Right Hand Symbolizes a Position of Power

“Your right hand, O Lord, is majestic in power, Your right hand, O Lord, shatters the enemy” (Exodus 15:6).

Wisdom can help lead one to gain power and be able to exercise authority over others. Solomon wrote, “A servant who acts wisely will rule over a son who acts shamefully, and will share in the inheritance among brothers” (Proverbs 17:2). Despite being at an initial disadvantage compared with the son (the heir), the wise servant was able to advance and obtain a position of authority. Elsewhere Solomon wrote, “A wise man is strong, and a man of knowledge increases power” (Proverbs 24:5).

The Right Hand Symbolizes a Position of Strength

“Now I know that the Lord saves His anointed; He will answer him from His holy heaven with the saving strength of His right hand” (Psalm 20:6).

Generally, since most people are right-handed, the right hand is stronger than the left. Wisdom is a source of strength for the wise. Solomon wrote, “Wisdom strengthens a wise man more than ten rulers who are in a city” (Ecclesiastes 7:19). Those who would put their trust in the strength of rulers and their armies ought to first put their trust in wisdom. The wise man also wrote, “He who trusts in his own heart is a fool, but he who walks wisely will be delivered” (Proverbs 28:26).

The Right Hand Symbolizes a Position of Honor

“The Lord says to my Lord: ‘Sit at My right hand until I make Your enemies a footstool for Your feet’” (Psalm 110:1).

This prophecy of Jesus sitting at the right hand of God (Hebrews 1:13) denotes the honor that would be given to Christ. Wisdom brings honor to those who live according to it. “The wise will inherit honor, but fools display dishonor” (Proverbs 3:35). Not only does wisdom lead to honor from God, but it often leads to honor from men. “The king’s favor is toward a servant who acts wisely, but his anger is toward him who acts shamefully” (Proverbs 14:35). “A man will be praised according to his insight, but one of perverse mind will be despised” (Proverbs 12:8).

Conclusion

As we consider the benefits of pursuing wisdom, it is important that we understand what kind of wisdom is being discussed in these passages. This is about “wisdom from above” (James 3:17), not worldly wisdom. If we wish for our hearts to be at our right hands and receive these benefits, we must pursue the wisdom that comes from above by learning the word of God and living according to it.

This article is one of the fifty articles included in the book Plain Bible Teaching: The First Ten Years. Click on the link to read more about the book.