In Ecclesiastes 10:1, Solomon penned this bit if wisdom; “Dead flies cause the ointment of the apothecary to send forth a stinking savor: so doth a little folly him that is in reputation for wisdom and honor” (KJV). Small mistakes in judgment can lead to big consequences, so—be wise!

The apothecary is one who mixes and creates perfumes or ointments like those used for anointing purposes in sacred ceremonies like the anointing of a king or priest. Such mixtures can be very costly as shown in John 12:3. Olive oil normally forms the base. This was then scented with myrrh, sweet cinnamon, sweet calamus, and possibly cassia. The oil was probably mixed with the above ingredients in a powdered form and heated until the oil had absorbed their odors. The scented oils or ointments were kept in jars or vials made of alabaster. Such oils were used to anoint or consecrate kings and priests which made the ointment of the apothecary a very sacred and holy substance.

A dead fly found in a container of such ointment desecrates it. The oil is then unholy and useless. It loses its beautiful aroma through this process of coming into contact with a common fly. Its value is diminished by contamination. The oil did not make the fly holy. Rather, the fly made this precious oil, unholy and fit for nothing.

How does a fly obtain access to such a costly perfume? Surely, something deemed so sacred would be carefully guarded and sealed. The problem was that someone left the lid off! It was the result of human error. Someone in haste failed to protect what was holy leaving it exposed to worldly contaminates. Much was lost. All the effort, care, and devotion that went into creating this ointment were wasted. Someone labored hard to bring it to a state of near perfection and now all is lost over one small oversight or act of neglect.

Solomon uses this incident to illustrate how so small a thing can ruin something as valuable as a good reputation. The fly has an unclean nature and has perhaps been lighting on animal dung, or perhaps a dead carcass. Now, by its contact and association with that which is unclean, the ointment is desecrated. The fly, though small, carried with it a bad influence. Small things can exact a huge price! This is Solomon’s point – a person's relputation can be ruined by small things.  Therefore, guard your reputation (like the container of the apothecary’s ointment should have been guarded).

The fly was not made holy by its contact with the ointment. To the contrary, the ointment was made unholy because of its contact with the fly. What a picture of our need for separation. As Paul wrote the believers at Corinth, “Know ye not that a little leaven leaveneth the whole lump?” (See I Corinthians 5:6, KJV). Small things at times possess a powerful and far-reaching influence.

Be careful of the small things you come into contact with and how they influence you. One carnal song can desecrate your thinking. One glimpse of a picture can desecrate your moral judgment. Ted Bundy ended up murdering several women and was sentenced to death for his crimes. He later acknowledged that this journey began with looking at a pornographic magazine. A little leaven with a powerful influence! Be careful of those small opportunities. Once a single fly enters and contaminates the holy ointment, the odor draws more and more flies increasing the influence of their corruption. A little leaven’s influence spreads. Once some things are allowed to take root in our lives, it is hard to stop the spread of its influence.

Just as the fly did not belong in the vessel containing the sacred ointment of the apothecary, there are some things, which do not belong in a holy, dedicated, and consecrated life containing the Holy Ghost.  Once they find access, they can ruin a person’s reputation. It can be something as small as not keeping your word; a dress that sends the wrong message; a judgmental attitude; an unbridled tongue; arrogance and pride; etc. No matter how holy the ointment, it did not make the fly holy. Rather, it was the fly – a solitary fly – a single small fly — that contaminated the ointment, making it unholy and ineffectual. Selah!

Tim Whistine

The author may be contacted at mindset2succeed@yahoo.com.

Filed under: REgroup