A fly in the ointment

A FLY IN THE OINTMENT
EDITED BY GLENN PEASE
Ecclesiastes10:1 1As dead flies give perfume a bad
smell, so a little folly outweighs wisdom and honor.
New Living Translation
As dead flies cause even a bottle of perfume to stink, so
a little foolishness spoilsgreat wisdom and honor.
English StandardVersion
Dead flies make the perfumer’s ointment give off a
stench; so a littlefolly outweighs wisdom and honor.
BIBLEHUB RESOURCES
Pulpit Commentary Homiletics
Folly Self-betrayed
Ecclesiastes10:1, 3
D. Thomas

To the writer of this book it seemedthat the greatantithesis of human life, of
human society, was pointed out by the distinction betweenwisdom and folly.
As by wisdom he meant not merely speculative knowledge orprofound
statecraft, but, much rather, reflective habits, deliberate judgment, and
decisive action, in the practicalaffairs of life; so by folly he intended exactly
the opposite of such characterand mental habits. A certain contemptuous and
wearyabhorrence of the foolish breathes through his language. His remarks
are full of sagacityand justice.
I. FOLLY MAY FOR A TIME BE CONCEALED. A grave countenance, a
staid demeanor, a reticent habit, may convey the impression of wisdom which
does not exist. Men are disposedto take a favorable view of those occupying
high station, and even of those possessing greatestates. The casual
acquaintances ofmen who are slow and serious in speech, or are exalted in
rank, often credit them with wisdom, when there has been no proof of its
existence.
II. FOLLY WILL CERTAINLY, SOONER OR LATER, BE REVEALED BY
CIRCUMSTANCES. Alittle folly is the ill savor that vitiates the perfume.
The understanding of the foolfaileth him while he walkethby the way. The
test is sure to be applied which will prove whether the coin is genuine or
counterfeit. The hollow reputation must collapse. Acritical time comes when
counselhas to be given, when action has to be taken, and at such a time the
folly of the pompous and pretentious fool is made manifest to all. Sounding
phraseologymay impose upon men for a season;but there are occasionswhen
something more than words is needed, and such occasionsrevealthe
emptiness and vanity of the foolish. Pedantry is not learning, professionis not
religion, pretence is not reality; neither can the show be, for any length of
time, takenfor the substance.
III. FOLLY, THUS EXPOSED, DESTROYS AMAN'S REPUTATION AND
INFLUENCE, The revulsion is sudden and complete, and may even go to
unreasonable lengths. It is presumed that, because the highestexpectations
have been disappointed, not even the slightestrespector confidence is
justifiable. A little folly outweighs wisdom and honor.

APPLICATION. The chief lessonof this passage is the value of sincerity,
thoroughness, and genuineness ofcharacter. It is not every man who has the
knowledge, the natural insight, the large experience of life, which go to make
up wisdom. But no man need pretend to be what he is not; no man need
proclaim himself a sage ora mentor; no man need claim for himself the
deferential regardand homage of others. He who will order his way by such
light as he cangain by reflection, by the study of the Scriptures, and by
prayer, will not go far astray. Sincerity and modesty may not gain a
temporary reputation for profundity of wisdom; but they will not expose their
possessorto the humiliation and shame of him who, professing himself to be
wise, becomes manifestto all men as a fool. - T.
Biblical Illustrator
Deadflies cause the ointment... to send forth a stinking savour.
Ecclesiastes10:1
Deadflies

Homiletic Magazine.
Among the Jews, oilrendered fragrant by being mixed with precious drugs
was used for many different purposes. With it priests and kings were anointed
when they entered upon their offices, guests atthe tables of the rich were
treated to it as a luxury. It was usedmedicinally for outward application to
the bodies of the sick;and with it corpses, andthe clothes in which they were
wrapped, were besprinkled before burial. Very greatcare was neededin the
preparation of the material used for such specialpurposes. Elaborately
confectedas the ointment was, it was easilyspoiled and rendered worthless. It
was accordinglynecessarynot only to take greatpains in making it, but also
in preserving it from contamination when made. A dead fly would soon
corrupt the ointment, and turn it into a pestilent odour. So, says the Preacher,
a noble and attractive charactermay be corrupted and destroyed by a little
folly; an insignificant-looking fault or weaknessmay outweighgreatgifts and
attainments. The fault which shows itselfin a characteris not like a stain or
flaw in a marble statue, which is confined to one spot, and is no worse after
the lapse of years, but like a sore in a living body, which weakensand may
destroy the whole organism. One cause why the evil influence spreads is that
we are not on our guard againstit, and it may grow to almostungovernable
strength before we are really convincedthat there is any danger. We can
recognize at once greaterrors and heinous vices, and the alarm and disgust
they excite prepare us to resistthem; but little follies and weaknessesoftenfill
us with an amused contempt for them, which blinds us to their greatpower
for evil. So numerous are the sources from which danger arises, that a long
list might be made of the little sins by which the characters ofmany goodmen
and women are often marred: indolence, selfishness, love of ease,
procrastination, indecision, rudeness, irritability, over-sensitivenessto praise
or blame, vanity, boastfulness, talkativeness, love of gossip, undue laxity,
undue severity, want of self-controlover appetites and passions, obstinacy,
parsimony. Numerous though these follies are, they may be reduced into two
greatclasses — faults of weaknessand faults of strength.
I. FAULTS OF WEAKNESS. This class is that. of those which are largely
negative, and consistprincipally in omissionto give a definite and worthy
direction to the nature; want of self-control, love of ease, indolence,

procrastination, indecision, selfishness, unfeelingness. Wantof self-control
over appetites and passions led David into the foulest crimes, which, though
sincerelyrepented of, were most terribly avenged, and have for ever left a
stain upon his name. Love of case is the only fault which is implied in the
description of the rich man in the parable (Luke 16:19), a desire to be
comfortable and avoid all that was disagreeable,but it led him to such callous
indifference to the miseries of his fellows, as disqualified him for happiness in
the world to come. A very striking illustration of the deteriorationof a
characterthrough the sin of weaknessand indecisionis to be found in the life
of Eli. His goodqualities have not preservedhis memory from contempt. This
is the sting of the rebuke addressedto the Church of Laodicea (Revelation
3:15, 16). In Dante's description of the lowerworld specialinfamy is attached
to this class ofoffenders, that of those who have never really lived, who have
never awakenedto take any part either in goodor evil, to care for anything
but themselves. Theyare unfit for heaven, and hell scorns to receive them.
"This miserable mode the dreary souls of those sustainwho lived without
blame and without praise."
II. FAULTS OF STRENGTH. This class includes those faults which are of a
positive character, and consistlargelyin an abuse of qualities which might
have been virtues. The very strength of characterby which men and women
are distinguished may lead by over-emphasis into very offensive deterioration.
Thus firmness may degenerate into obstinacy, frugality into parsimony,
liberality into extravagance, light-heartednessinto frivolity, candour into
rudeness, and so on. And these are faults which disgust and repel, and cause
us to overlook evenvery greatmerits in a character;and not only so, but, if
unchecked, gradually nullify those merits. We may find in the characterof
Christ all the virtues which go to make up holiness so admirably balancedthat
no one is over-prominent, and therefore no one pushed to that excess whichso
often mars human excellence."His tender tone was the keenedge of His
reproofs, and His unquestionable love infused solemnity into every warning."
(Homiletic Magazine.)

Deadflies
J. Hamilton, D. D.
Our instances must be takenalmostat random; for, like their Egyptian
prototypes, these flies are too many to be counted.
I. RUDENESS. Some goodmen are blunt in their feelings, and rough in their
manners; and they apologize for their coarsenessby calling it honesty,
downrightness, plainness of speech. They quote in self-defence the sharp
words and shaggymien of Elijah and John the Baptist, and, as affectation,
they sneerat the soft address and mild manners of gentlermen. The question,
however, is not between two rival graces — betweenintegrity on the one side,
and affability on the other; but the question is, Are these two graces
compatible? Is it possible for a man to be explicit, and open, and honest, and,
withal, courteous and considerate of the feelings of others? Is it possible to
add to fervour and fidelity, suavity, and urbanity, and brotherly kindness?
There never was one more faithful than the Sonof God, but there never was
one more considerate. And just as rudeness is not essentialto honesty, so
neither is roughness essentialto strength of character. The Christian should
have a strong character;he should be a man of remarkable decision. And he
should be a man of inflexible purpose. When once he knows his Lord's will, he
should go through with it, aye, through fire and water. But this he may do
without renouncing the meekness and gentleness whichwere in Christ. He
may have zeal without pugnacity, determination without obstinacy.
II. IRRITABILITY. One of the most obvious and impressive features in the
Saviour's characterwas His meekness. In a patience which ingenious or
sudden provocationcould not upset; in a magnanimity which insult could not
ruffle; in a gentleness fromwhich no folly could extract an unadvised word,
men saw what they could scarcelyunderstand, but that which made them
marvel. But many Christians lack this beauty of their Master's holiness;they
are afflicted with evil tempers, they cannotrule their spirits, or rather they do
not try. Some indulge occasionalfits of anger; and others are haunted by
habitual, daily, life-long fretfulness. The one sort is generally calm and
pellucid as an Alpine lake, but on some specialprovocationis tossedup into a

magnificent tempest; the other is like the Bosphorns, in a continual stir, and
even when not a breath is moving, by the contrariety of its internal currents
vexing itself into a ceaselesswhirl and eddy. But either form, the paroxysmal
fury, and the perennial fretfulness, is inconsistentwith the wisdom from
above, which is peaceable, gentle, easyto be entreated.
III. SELFISHSESS.The world expects self-denial in the Christian; and with
reason, for of all men he canbest afford it, and by his professionhe is
committed to it. Attention to the wants of others, care for their welfare, and
considerationfor their feelings are Scriptural graces forwhich all Christians
ought to be conspicuous. Christianity allows us to forgetour own wants, but it
does not permit us to forgetthe necessities ofour brethren. It requires us to be
carelessofour own ease, but it forbids us to overlook the comfort and
convenience ofother people.
(J. Hamilton, D. D.)
Pulpit Commentary Homiletics
Folly Self-betrayed
Ecclesiastes10:1, 3
D. Thomas
To the writer of this book it seemedthat the greatantithesis of human life, of
human society, was pointed out by the distinction betweenwisdom and folly.
As by wisdom he meant not merely speculative knowledge orprofound
statecraft, but, much rather, reflective habits, deliberate judgment, and
decisive action, in the practicalaffairs of life; so by folly he intended exactly
the opposite of such characterand mental habits. A certain contemptuous and
wearyabhorrence of the foolish breathes through his language. His remarks
are full of sagacityand justice.

I. FOLLY MAY FOR A TIME BE CONCEALED. A grave countenance, a
staid demeanor, a reticent habit, may convey the impression of wisdom which
does not exist. Men are disposedto take a favorable view of those occupying
high station, and even of those possessing greatestates. The casual
acquaintances ofmen who are slow and serious in speech, or are exalted in
rank, often credit them with wisdom, when there has been no proof of its
existence.
II. FOLLY WILL CERTAINLY, SOONER OR LATER, BE REVEALED BY
CIRCUMSTANCES. Alittle folly is the ill savor that vitiates the perfume.
The understanding of the foolfaileth him while he walkethby the way. The
test is sure to be applied which will prove whether the coin is genuine or
counterfeit. The hollow reputation must collapse. Acritical time comes when
counselhas to be given, when action has to be taken, and at such a time the
folly of the pompous and pretentious fool is made manifest to all. Sounding
phraseologymay impose upon men for a season;but there are occasionswhen
something more than words is needed, and such occasionsrevealthe
emptiness and vanity of the foolish. Pedantry is not learning, professionis not
religion, pretence is not reality; neither can the show be, for any length of
time, takenfor the substance.
III. FOLLY, THUS EXPOSED, DESTROYS AMAN'S REPUTATION AND
INFLUENCE, The revulsion is sudden and complete, and may even go to
unreasonable lengths. It is presumed that, because the highestexpectations
have been disappointed, not even the slightestrespector confidence is
justifiable. A little folly outweighs wisdom and honor.
APPLICATION. The chief lessonof this passage is the value of sincerity,
thoroughness, and genuineness ofcharacter. It is not every man who has the
knowledge, the natural insight, the large experience of life, which go to make
up wisdom. But no man need pretend to be what he is not; no man need
proclaim himself a sage ora mentor; no man need claim for himself the
deferential regardand homage of others. He who will order his way by such
light as he cangain by reflection, by the study of the Scriptures, and by
prayer, will not go far astray. Sincerity and modesty may not gain a
temporary reputation for profundity of wisdom; but they will not expose their

possessorto the humiliation and shame of him who, professing himself to be
wise, becomes manifestto all men as a fool. - T.
Biblical Illustrator
Deadflies cause the ointment... to send forth a stinking savour.
Ecclesiastes10:1
Deadflies
Homiletic Magazine.

greatclasses — faults of weaknessand faults of strength.
I. FAULTS OF WEAKNESS. This class is that. of those which are largely
negative, and consistprincipally in omissionto give a definite and worthy
direction to the nature; want of self-control, love of ease, indolence,
procrastination, indecision, selfishness, unfeelingness. Wantof self-control
over appetites and passions led David into the foulest crimes, which, though
sincerelyrepented of, were most terribly avenged, and have for ever left a
stain upon his name. Love of case is the only fault which is implied in the
description of the rich man in the parable (Luke 16:19), a desire to be
comfortable and avoid all that was disagreeable,but it led him to such callous
indifference to the miseries of his fellows, as disqualified him for happiness in
the world to come. A very striking illustration of the deteriorationof a

characterthrough the sin of weaknessand indecisionis to be found in the life
of Eli. His goodqualities have not preservedhis memory from contempt. This
is the sting of the rebuke addressedto the Church of Laodicea (Revelation
3:15, 16). In Dante's description of the lowerworld specialinfamy is attached
to this class ofoffenders, that of those who have never really lived, who have
never awakenedto take any part either in goodor evil, to care for anything
but themselves. Theyare unfit for heaven, and hell scorns to receive them.
"This miserable mode the dreary souls of those sustainwho lived without
blame and without praise."
II. FAULTS OF STRENGTH. This class includes those faults which are of a
positive character, and consistlargelyin an abuse of qualities which might
have been virtues. The very strength of characterby which men and women
are distinguished may lead by over-emphasis into very offensive deterioration.
often mars human excellence."His tender tone was the keenedge of His
reproofs, and His unquestionable love infused solemnity into every warning."
Deadflies
J. Hamilton, D. D.
I. RUDENESS. Some goodmen are blunt in their feelings, and rough in their

however, is not between two rival graces — betweenintegrity on the one side,
should be a man of inflexible purpose. When once he knows his Lord's will, he
II. IRRITABILITY. One of the most obvious and impressive features in the
Saviour's characterwas His meekness. In a patience which ingenious or
marvel. But many Christians lack this beauty of their Master's holiness;they
III. SELFISHSESS.The world expects self-denial in the Christian; and with

convenience ofother people.
(J. Hamilton, D. D.)
STUDYLIGHT RESOURCES
Adam Clarke Commentary
Deadflies - Any putrefaction spoils perfume; and so a foolishact ruins the
characterof him who has the reputation of being wise and good. Alas! alas!in
an unguarded moment how many have tarnished the reputation which they
were many years in acquiring! Hence, no man can be said to be safe, till he is
takento the paradise of God.
Albert Barnes'Notes onthe Whole Bible
This verse is by its meaning so closelyconnectedwith Ecclesiastes9:18 that
the selectionofit for the beginning of a new chapter seems unfortunate.
Apothecary - Rather: a dealerin spices and perfumes (compare Exodus
30:25). The swarms of flies in the Eastvery sooncorrupt and destroy any
moist unguent or mixture left uncovered, and pollute a dish of food in a few
minutes.
So doth … - literally, more weighty than wisdom, than honor, is a little folly.
The Biblical Illustrator
Ecclesiastes10:1

Deadflies cause the ointment . . . to send forth a stinking savour.
Deadflies
greatclasses--faults ofweakness andfaults of strength.

I. Faults of weakness. This class is that of those which are largelynegative,
and consistprincipally in omission to give a definite and worthy direction to
the nature; want of self-control, love of ease, indolence, procrastination,
indecision, selfishness, unfeelingness. Wantof self-controlover appetites and
passions led David into the foulest crimes, which, though sincerelyrepented
of, were most terribly avenged, and have for ever left a stain upon his name.
Love of case is the only fault which is implied in the description of the rich
man in the parable (Luke 16:19), a desire to be comfortable and avoid all that
was disagreeable, but it led him to such callous indifference to the miseries of
his fellows, as disqualified him for happiness in the world to come. A very
striking illustration of the deteriorationof a characterthrough the sin of
weakness andindecision is to be found in the life of Eli. His goodqualities
have not preservedhis memory from contempt. This is the sting of the rebuke
addressedto the Church of Laodicea (Revelation3:15-16). In Dante’s
description of the lowerworld specialinfamy is attachedto this class of
offenders, that of those who have never really lived, who have never awakened
to take any part either in goodor evil, to care for anything but themselves.
They are unfit for heaven, and hell scorns to receive them. “This miserable
mode the dreary souls of those sustain who lived without blame and without
praise.”
II. Faults of strength. This class includes those faults which are of a positive
character, and consistlargelyin an abuse of qualities which might have been
virtues. The very strength of characterby which men and women are
distinguished may lead by over-emphasis into very offensive deterioration.
often mars human excellence.“His tender tone was the keenedge of His

reproofs, and His unquestionable love infused solemnity into every warning.”
Deadflies
I. Rudeness. Some goodmen are blunt in their feelings, and rough in their
however, is not between two rival graces--betweenintegrity on the one side,
should be a man of inflexible purpose. When once he knows his Lord’s will, he
II. Irritability. One of the most obvious and impressive features in the
Saviour’s characterwas His meekness. In a patience which ingenious or
marvel. But many Christians lack this beauty of their Master’s holiness;they

III. Selfishsess. The world expects self-denialin the Christian; and with
convenience ofother people. (J. Hamilton, D. D.)
Coffman's Commentaries on the Bible
MISCELLANEOUS PROVERBS
Ecclesiastes10:1
"Deadflies cause the ointment of the perfumer to send forth an evil odor; so
doth a little folly outweighwisdom and honor."
This proverb is actually an illustration of the last verses ofEcclesiastes 9. A
little folly by a single sinner can destroy much good. Also there is discernible
in it another application. A little folly can destroythe beauty and effectiveness
of a noble character, in the same manner that a few dead flies in a small jar of
expensive perfume cantotally ruin it.

John Gill's Exposition of the Whole Bible
Deadflies cause the ointment of the apothecaryto send forth a stinking
savour,.... Such, as Jarchi observes, are in the winter season, whichare weak
and near to death, and getinto precious ointment, prepared after the best
manner, where they die, and corrupt and spoil it: or, "flies of deaths"F13;
deadly ones, which have something in their nature poisonous and pernicious;
which, when they light upon the most sweetand savoury ointment, give it an
ill smell;
so doth a little folly him that is in reputation for wisdom and honour; a good
name is like precious ointment, valuable and fragrant; sin, which is folly, is
like a dead fly; not only light and mean, and base and worthless, but hurtful
and pernicious, deadly, and the cause ofdeath; and what may seem little, a
peccadillo, or, however, one single actof sin, may injure the characterofa
wise and honourable man, and greatly expose him to shame and contempt,
and cause him to stink in the nostrils of men, Genesis 36:20;and to be
reproachedby men, and religion and government to be reproachedfor his
sake. Thus the affair of Bathsheba and Uriah, what a slur did it bring on the
characterof David, so famous for wisdom and honour, for religion and piety?
and the idolatry of Solomon, the wisestof men; Jehoshaphat, that goodking,
entering into affinity with Ahab; and pious Josiahgoing to war with the king
of Egypt, contrary to the word of the Lord; with many other instances. This
teaches how carefulmen eminent for gifts and grace should be of their words
and actions;since the leastthing amiss in them is easily discerned, and soon
takennotice of, as the leastspeck in a diamond, or spot in fine linen, cleanand
white; and there are wickedand envious persons enough watching for their
halting, glad to have an occasionagainstthem, and improve everything to the
uttermost: this is a cautionto wise magistrates,honourable ministers of the
word, and eminent professors more especially. The Targum is,
"evil concupiscence, whichdwells at the gates ofthe heart, is as a fly, and is
the cause ofdeath in the world; and corrupts a goodname, which was before
like to anointing oil, perfumed with spices:'

and to the same purpose the Midrash. One of the names of Satan is Beelzebub,
the lord of a fly; who, by his temptations, solicits to sin and folly, which
produce the effecthere mentioned, and therefore to be shunned as a deadly fly
in the ointment, Matthew 12:24. GussetiusF14 renders it,
"that which is precious and worthy of honour "proceeds" fromwisdom; and
folly "comes"from glory, "worldly glory", in a little time.'
Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible
Following up Ecclesiastes9:18.
him that is in reputation — for example, David (2 Samuel 12:14);Solomon (1
Kings 11:1-43); Jehoshaphat(2 Chronicles 18:1-34;2 Chronicles 19:2); Josiah
(2 Chronicles 35:22). The more delicate the perfume, the more easilyspoiled is
the ointment. Common oil is not so liable to injury. So the higher a man‘s
religious characteris, the more hurt is causedby a sinful folly in him. Bad
savoris endurable in oil, but not in what professes to be, and is compounded
by the perfumer (“apothecary”)for, fragrance. “Flies” answerto “a little
folly” (sin), appropriately, being small (1 Corinthians 5:6); also, “Beelzebub”
means prince of flies. “Ointment” answers to “reputation” (Ecclesiastes7:1;
Genesis 34:30). The verbs are singular, the noun plural, implying that eachof
the flies causes the stinking savor.
Keil & DelitzschCommentary on the Old Testament
The secondhalf of the foregoing double proverb introduces what now follows:
“Poisonousflies make to stink, make to ferment the oil of the preparer of
ointment; heavier than wisdom, than honour, weighs a little folly.” We do not
need to change ‫זותומ‬ ‫יבּו‬ , on accountof the foll. sing. of the pred., either into
‫ז‬ ‫זובגמ‬ (as possible by Hitz.) or ‫מיתּומ‬ ‫זו‬ (Luzz.); both are inadmissible, for the
style of Koheleth is not adorned with archaisms such as Chirek compaginis ;
and also such an attrib. clause as ‫ובוז‬ ‫ּובימ‬ , a fly which dies,” is for him too

refined; but both are also unnecessary, fora plur. of the subj., in which the
plurality of the individuals comes less into view than the oneness oftheir
character, is frequently enough followedby the sing. of the pred., e.g. ,
Genesis 39:22;Joel1:20; Isaiah 59:12, etc. It is a question, however, whether
by ‫מובוז‬ ‫ּובי‬ , death-bringing, i.e. , poisonous flies (lxx, Targ., Luther)
(Note:The Targ. interprets, as the Talm. and Mid. do, deadly flies as a figure
of the prava concupiscentia . Similarly Wangemann:a mind buried in the
world.)
or dead flies (Symm., Syr., Jerome)is meant. We decide in favour of the
former; for (1) ‫יבּו‬‫זובומ‬ for ‫יּומז‬‫זותומז‬ (Ecclesiastes9:4; Isaiah37:36), “death-
flies” for “deadflies,” would be an affectedpoetic expressionwithout analogy;
while, on the contrary, “death-flies” for “deadlyflies” is a genit. connection,
such as ‫תומ‬ ‫יבּו‬ instruments of death, i.e. , deadly instruments and the like;
Böttcherunderstands dung-flies; but the expressioncan scarcelyextendto the
designationof flies which are found on dead bodies. Meanwhile, it is very
possible that by the expression‫וז‬ ‫ז‬ , such flies are thought of as carry death
from dead bodies to those that are living; the Assyr. syllabare show how
closelythe Semites distinguished manifold kinds of ‫זמובוז‬ (Assyr. zumbi =
zubbi ). (2) In favour of “dead flies,” it has been remarked that that influence
on the contents of a pot of ointment is effectednot merely by poison-flies, but,
generally, by flies that have fallen into it.
But since the oil mixed with perfumes may also be of the kind which, instead
of being changed by a dead body, much rather embalms it; so it does not
surprise us that the exciterof fermentation is thus drastically describedby
μυῖαι θανατοῦσαι (lxx); it happens, besides, also onthis account, because “a
little folly” corresponds as a contrastedfigure to the little destructive carcase,
- wisdom ‫עב‬ ‫וּת‬ (“giveth life,” Ecclesiastes7:2), a little folly is thus like little
deadly flies. The sequence ofideas ‫מי‬ ‫מו‬ (maketh the ointment stink) is natural.
The corrupting body communicates its foul savourto the ointment, makes it
boil up, i.e. , puts it into a state of fermentation, in consequence ofwhich it
foams and raises up small blisters, ‫תוּתובּתבּו‬ (Rashi). To the asyndeton ‫מי‬ ‫מו‬ ,
there corresponds, in 1 b , the asyndeton ‫ת‬ ‫י‬ ‫יב‬ ; the Targ., Syr., and Jerome,

(Note:The lxx entirely remodels Ecclesiastes 10:1 : τίμιονκ . τ . λ (“a little
wisdom is more honour than the greatglory of folly”), i.e. , ‫רקמ‬ ‫טּתי‬ ‫היכב‬ ‫ּובוכס‬
sihtsdrager(4871) mlaP red naV .(”edutitlumtaerg“ fo esnes eht ni ‫כובד‬ ) ‫רו‬
as the original form of the text.)
who translate by “and,” are therefore not witnesses forthe phrase ‫תיּו‬ , but
the Venet. ( καὶ τῆς δόχης ) had this certainly before it; it is, in relation to the
other, inferior in point of evidence.
(Note:‫יתובד‬ ; thus in the Biblia rabb. 1525, 1615, Genoa1618, Plantin1582,
Jablonski 1699, andalso v. d. Hooght and Norzi. In the Ven. 1515, 1521, 1615,
‫תיתובד‬ is found with the copulat. vav , a form which is adopted by Michaelis.
Thus also the Concord. cites, and thus, originally, it stoodin J., but has been
correctedto ‫יתובד‬ . F., however, has ‫יתובד‬ , with the marginal remark: ‫דבוכי‬ ‫ןכ‬
ah nosmiS) ‫שישבן‬ ‫ינמ‬ ‫-קווּומ‬Nakdam, to whom the writer of the Frankf. Cod.
1294 here refers for the reading ‫ּוי‬ , without the copul. vav , is often called by
him his voucher). This is also the correctMasoretic reading;for if ‫תיּו‬ were to
be read, then the word would be in the catalogue ofwords of which three
begin with their initial letter, and a fourth has introduced a vav before it
(Mas. fin. f. 26, Ochla veochla, Nr. 15).)
In general, it is evident that the point of comparisonis the hurtfulness, widely
extending itself, of a matter which in appearance is insignificant. Therefore
the meaning of Ecclesiastes10:1 cannotbe that a little folly is more weighty
than wisdom, than honour, viz., in the eyes of the blinded crowd (Zöckl.,
Dächsel). This limitation the author ought to have expressed, for without it the
sentence is an untruth. Jerome, following the Targ. and Midrash, explains:
Pretiosa estsuper sapientiam et gloriam stultitia parva , understanding by
wisdom and honour the self-elationtherewith connected;besides, this thought,
which Luther limits by the introduction of zuweilen [“folly is sometimes better
than wisdom, etc.”], is in harmony neither with that which goes before nor
with that which follows.
Luzz., as already Aben Ezra, Grotius, Geiger, Hengst., and the more recent
English expositors, transferthe verbs of Ecclesiastes10:1 zeugmatically to
Ecclesiastes10:1 : similiter pretiosum nomine sapientiae et gloriae virum

foetidum facit stolidtias parva . But ‫ּתמומ‬ forbids this transference, and,
besides, ‫ןי‬ ‫רקמ‬ , “honouredon accountof,” is an improbable expression;also
sa , ‫יּו‬ gnissolg yb evomerotskees .zzuL hcihw ,ygolotuat a stneserp ‫מקר‬ ‫יּו‬the
Targ. does, by ‫ירבו‬‫ּתבשר‬ ‫בנכסמז‬ . Already Rashihas rightly explained by taking
‫מקר‬ (Syr. jaḳîr , Arab. waḳur , waḳûr), in its primary meaning, as synon. of
‫תוד‬ : more weighty, i.e. , heavierand weighing more than wisdom, than
honour, is a little folly; and he reminds us that a single foolish actcan at once
change into their contrary the wisdom and the honour of a man, destroying
both, making it as if they had never been, cf. 1 Corinthians 5:6. The sentence
is true both in an intellectualand in a moral reference. Wisdomand honour
are sweptawayby a little quantum of folly; it places both in the shade, it
outweighs them in the scale;it stamps the man, notwithstanding the wisdom
and dignity which otherwise belong to him, as a fool. The expressive ‫חין‬ ‫רקב‬ is
purposely used here; the dealer in ointments ( pigmentarius ) cannow do
nothing with the corrupted perfume, - thus the wisdom which a man
possesses,the honour which he has hitherto enjoyed, avail him no longer;the
proportionally small portion of folly which has become an ingredient in his
personality gives him the characterof a fool, and operates to his dishonour.
Knobel construes rightly; but his explanation (also of Heiligst., Elst., Ginsb.):
“a little folly frequently shows itselfmore efficacious andfruitful than the
wisdom of an honoured wise man,” helps itself with a “frequently” inserted,
and weakens‫ּוי‬ to a subordinated idea, and is opposedto the figure, which
requires a personality.
John Trapp Complete Commentary
Ecclesiastes10:1 Deadflies cause the ointment of the apothecaryto send forth
a stinking savour: [so doth] a little folly him that is in reputation for wisdom
[and] honour.
Ver. 1. Deadflies cause the ointment, &c.]The Preacherhad said that "one
sinner destroys much good";[Ecclesiastes9:18]here he affirms the same of
"one sin"; be it but a small sin, a peccadillo, no bigger than a few "dead flies"
fallen into a pot of sweetodours, it is of that stinking nature, that it stains a

goodman’s esteem, and blows his reputation. A greatmany flies may fall into
a tarbox, and no hurt done. A small spot is soonseenin a swan, not so in a
swine. Fine lawn is soonerand deeper stained than coarse canvas. A city upon
a hill cannotbe hid; the leasteclipse or aberration in the heavenly bodies is
quickly noted and noticed. If Jacob, a plain man, (a) deal deceitfully, the
banks of blasphemy will be brokendown in a profane Esauthereby. If his
unruly sons falsify with the Shechemites, he shall have cause to complain, "Ye
have made me to stink among the inhabitants of the land." [Genesis 34:30]If
Moses marry an Ethiopian woman, it shall be laid in his dish by his dearest
friends. [Numbers 12:1] If Samsongo down to Timnah, the Philistines will
soonhave it by the end, "told" it will be "in Gath, published in the streets of
Askelon." If David do otherwise than well at home, the name of God will soon
stink abroad, [2 Samuel 12:14]if Josiahgo up unadvisedly against
Pharaohnecho, andfall by his own folly, this "shallbe his derision in the land
of Egypt." [Hosea 7:16]The enemies of God will sooncompose comedies out
of the Church’s tragedies, and make themselves merry in her misery. She is
said to be "fair as the moon," [Song of Solomon6:10] which, though it be a
beautiful creature and full of light, yet is she not without her black spots and
blemishes; (Galileo used his telescope to discovermountains on her). These
the Church malignant is ever eyeing and aggravating, passing by or depraving
the better practices ofGod’s people. As vultures they hunt after carcases,(b)
as swine they musk in the muck hill, as beetles they would live and die in horse
dung. It must be our care as much as may be to maintain our reputation, to
cut off all occasionof obloquy, to be "blameless and harmless," [Philippians
2:15] fair to the eye and sweetto the taste as that tree in paradise;without
blemish from head to foot, as Absalom was;Non aliunde noscibiles quam de
emendatione vitiorum pristinorum, (c) as Tertullian saith of the Christians of
his time, known from all others by their innocence and patience. That was a
goodchoice, for this purpose, that he himself made, Malo miserandum quam
erubescendum, (d) I had rather be pitied than justly reproached. Strive we
should to be as Paul was, a "goodsavour," [2 Corinthians 2:14] and not to go
out, as they say the devil doth, in a stench.
Hawker's PoorMan's Commentary

CONTENTS
The Preacheris still prosecuting his sermon through this Chapter;
but folding up many important sayings within short sentences.
Ecclesiastes10:1
savour: so doth a little folly him that is in reputation for wisdom and honour.
This verse may serve to show us how frequently some of the most precious
things are veiled under an unpromising cover. If we take this expressionin its
literal sense, no doubt it is very true. Folly will give a tinge to much reputation
of wisdom, as dead flies will give an unsavory castto the ointment of the
apothecary. But if this were all to be learnt from this scripture, it required not
the wisdomof Solomon, much less the teaching of the Holy Ghost, to give such
information. But if by the dead flies here spokenof, the blessedSpirit
intended to teach the Church, that our corrupt things (nay, our best things,
which from sinners by nature dead in trespassesand sin, can be no otherwise
than dead,) be mingled with the righteousness ofJesus, whosename for
fragrancyis as ointment poured forth; will it not cause allthat is blessedin
Jesus to lose in our spiritual senses, its sweetnessfrom our ill savor? Reader!
why is it that what is precious in Jesus, is not at all times alike precious to us,
but from our mingling up with it what is our own?
Thomas Coke Commentary on the Holy Bible
Ecclesiastes10:1. Deadflies cause, &c.— The smellarising from the perfume
of the perfumer is infected by dead flies; so is the value of wisdom and
reputation by a little folly. See Desvoeux, and Bishop Lowth's third Prelection.
Matthew Poole's EnglishAnnotations on the Holy Bible
ECCLESIASTESCHAPTER 10

Observations on wisdom and folly, Ecclesiastes 10:1-3. Ofrulers, Ecclesiastes
10:4-7. Of wrong and injustice, Ecclesiastes10:8-10.Of talkativeness,
imprudence, and its mischiefs, Ecclesiastes10:11-15. Kings hurtful and
desirable, Ecclesiastes10:16,17. Ofsloth, Ecclesiastes 10:18. Feasts,
Ecclesiastes10:19. The king must not be cursed, Ecclesiastes10:20.
Deadflies falling into it, and abiding and being putrefied in it, especiallyin
those countries, where there were more filthy and venomous flies, and where
the ointments were more pure, and where the air was more hot, than in these
parts.
So doth a little folly him that is in reputation for wisdomand honour; which
comes to pass, partly because allthe actions, and consequentlythe follies, of
such men are most diligently observed, and soonestdiscerned, andtossed
about in the mouths of men, whereas fools and all their carriages are
generallydisregarded; and partly because ofthat envious and malicious
disposition of men’s minds, which makes them quick-sightedto discover, and
glad to hear and forward to declare, the faults of such as by their greater
eminency did outshine and obscure them.
Whedon's Commentary on the Bible
1. Ointment of the apothecary — Better, of the perfumer; that is, perfumed
ointment. This is in the form of a proverb, and there is one in the Arabic to
the same effect. In sultry climates this result might easilybe produced. This
verse, strictly translated would read, As for dead flies, one will make
perfumed ointment to ferment with a stink. It forcibly illustrates what was
said of one fool at the end of the previous chapter. The latter part of the verse
is strangelygiven in the authorized version. By the Hebrew it is simply said, A
little folly is heavier than wisdom and honour: applying at once the proverb
here given.
JosephBenson's Commentaryof the Old and New Testaments

Ecclesiastes10:1. Deadflies, &c. — Solomonseems in these words to be
prosecuting what he had said in the last clause ofthe preceding chapter;
showing how much goodone foolish actionmay destroy, what evil may result
from it, and how a man, otherwise famed for wisdom, may thereby lose his
reputation. So most interpreters understand the verse. “The wiser or better,”
says Bishop Patrick, “anyman is, so much the more cautious ought he to be in
all his words and actions, if he mean to preserve that credit, esteem, and
authority in the world, which give him greatadvantages for doing good. For,
as dead flies, though very small creatures, falling into a pot of ointment,” and
abiding and being putrified in it, “corrupt that precious composition, and turn
the perfume into a stink; so doth a small error or miscarriage blemish him
who was highly valued for his discretionand virtue.” And this comes to pass,
partly, because allthe actions, and consequently the follies of such men are
most diligently observed, whereas the actions and follies of persons known to
be ignorant and weak are generallydisregarded; and, partly, because ofthat
envious and malicious disposition which is in the minds of too many, and
makes them quick- sighted to discover, and glad to hear, and forward to
declare, the faults of such as, by their greatereminence, outshone and
obscuredthem.
George Haydock's Catholic Bible Commentary
Ointment. A fly cannotlive in it. (Pliny, [Natural History?] xi. 19.) --- Hence
the smallestfaults must be avoided, (Calmet) and superfluous cares, (St.
Gregory)as wellas the conversationof the wicked, (Thaumat.) particularly of
heretics. (St. Augustine, contra Fulg. 14.) --- Detractors maybe comparedto
flies: they seek corruption, &c. A little leavencorrupteth the whole lump, 1
Corinthians v. 6. (Calmet) --- The wickedinfect their companions, and vice
destroys all former virtues. (Worthington) --- Wisdom, or "a small....follyis
more precious than wisdom," &c., of the world, 1 Corinthians i. 25., and iii.
18. Dulce est desipere in loco. (Horace, iv. ode 12.) --- Hebrew, "folly spoils
things more precious than wisdom." A small fault is often attended with the
worstconsequences, (chap. ix. 18.) as David and Roboamexperienced, 2 Kings
xxiv., and 3 Kings xii. 14. (Calmet) --- Septuagint, "a little wisdom is to be
honoured above the great glory of foolishness."Protestants, "deadflies cause

the ointment of the apothecaryto send forth a stinking flavour; so doth a little
folly him that is in reputation for wisdom and honour." (Haydock)
Mark Dunagan Commentary on the Bible
"Deadflies make a perfumer"s oil stink, so a little foolishness is weightier
than wisdom and honor."
"Deadflies"-"puts into a vividly unpleasant form the principle on which the
previous chapter ended: that it takes farless to ruin something than to create
it….it is easierto make a stink than to create sweetness. Butin this verse it is
the sudden lapse or foolishimpulse that is the trouble: and there are endless
instances of prizes forfeited and goodbeginnings marred in a single reckless
moment---not only by the irresponsible, such as Esau, but by the sorely tried,
such as Moses and Aaron" (Kidner p. 88). See Numbers .
"perfumer"-an ancient art (Exodus ; 34:35).
"so"-indicating that a comparisonis going to be made.
"little"-The point of the illustration is the comparative insignificance of the
cause which spoils a costlysubstance which had been prepared with care, time
and skill. A little fault or a little sin/foolishness canmar a reputation which
was only acquired with tremendous effort and half a life-time. There is no
such thing as a little sin (1 Corinthians ; Acts 5:1ff; 2 Samuel 6:6-7). "It is a
painful factthat a little folly, one foolishact, one silly manner or disposition,
one hidden sin, will impair the real value of a man"s wisdom and the
estimation in which he was held" (P.P. Comm. 249)(Ezek. 18:24).
"weightier"-"So cana little folly make wisdom lose its worth" (NEB). A little
foolishness cancancelout a greatdeal of wisdom. "even when a greatdeal of
wisdom is present, things somehow getfouled up by a little folly" (Garrett p.
334). "wisdomand glory are wonderful and highly valued, but it just takes a
touch of folly to spoil them" (Longman p. 239).
Points To Note:

1 This is also true in groups or congregations. One foolishmember can really
undo or cancelout the efforts of many. 2. A personcan be extremely gifted
and smart, but if they are harboring a sin in their life, then all their wisdom
can become misdirected. One bad attitude, one prejudice, one area of
arrogance canmake us into very poor bible students.
E.W. Bullinger's Companion Bible Notes
Deadflies. Hebrew flies of death: i.e. flies that bring or produce death. Supply
the Figure of speechEllipsis, "[as]dead".
cause = [are that which will] cause, &c.
to send forth a stinking savour = to stink [and] fer-ment. Figure of speech
Hendiadys. App-6.
folly = stupidity. Hebrew. sakal. Same rootas in Ecclesiastes 10:6. See note on
Proverbs 1:7.
him. Note the Figure of speechEllipsis (App-6): "So doth stupidity [cause]
him that is in reputation for wisdom and honour [to send forth an offensive
savour]".
wisdom. Hebrew. chakmah. See note on Ecclesiastes1:2.
Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible - Unabridged
Deadflies - literally, flies of death.
The ointment - a costlyand precious ointment. The more excellentis the
ointment, the sadder it is that so little a thing as dead flies should be allowed
to spoil it. Sin begins with little things. Little inconsistencies,if not checkedat
the beginning, undermine the whole character. Followingup Ecclesiastes9:18.

Him that is in reputation - e.g., David(2 Samuel12:14); Solomon(1 Kings
11:1-43);Jehoshaphat(2 Chronicles 18:1-34;2 Chronicles 19:2); Josiah(2
Chronicles 35:22). The more delicate the perfume, the more easilyspoiled is
the ointment. Common oil is not so liable to injury. So the higher a man's
religious characteris, the more hurt is causedby a sinful folly in him. Bad
savour is endurable in oil, but not in what professes to be, and is compounded
by the perfumer ("apothecary")for fragrance. "Flies," being, small in
appearance, answerto "a little folly" (sin) (1 Corinthians 5:6; Galatians 5:9):
also "Beelzebub," the parent of sin, means prince of flies. "Ointment"
answers to "reputation" (Ecclesiastes7:1; Genesis 34:30).
To send forth a stinking savour - literally, 'cause to stink (and) to putrefy;'
i:e., cause to stink through putrefaction. The verbs are singular, the noun
plural, implying that eachof the flies causes the stinking savour.
Treasuryof Scripture Knowledge
Deadflies
Heb. Flies of death. the ointment
Exodus 30:34,35
a little
2 Chronicles 19:2; Nehemiah6:13; 13:26;Matthew 5:13-16;Galatians 2:12-14
Ecclesiastes10:1. Notwithout significance is it said, "Flies of death," arid not
"deadflies," although these are meant. The effectdescribed is not produced
by flies as such; but is so entirely connectedwith death, that instead of flies

any other dead thing might have been mentioned. "Deadflies," are only
specifiedbecause they find their way first of all to the salve pot, and because
the author wished to adduce some small thing. Physicaldeath is the more
prominently referred to as its correspondent, in spiritual things, is folly. The
employment of the singular of the verb ‫שמתומ‬ calls specialattention to it.
When specialemphasis is meant to be laid on the secondword in the stat.
constr., the verb is accommodatedto it. That the singular depends on ‫ּובי‬ was
recognisedevenby Symmachus, μυιῶν θάντος σήψει ἔλαιονεὐῶδες μυρεγοῦ.
The oil of the perfumer is mentioned as being a costly, noble substance. ‫ּתמומ‬ is
added subsidiarily, for the purpose of indicating more distinctly the cause:"in
that they cause to putrify," in consequence ofthe process ofputrification
which they commence. But that it serves only a subsidiary purpose is evident,
because ‫שמתומ‬ does not suit any but the secondclause. "To make to stink," is
used elsewhere for"to make contemptible" in Genesis 34:30, (compare
Exodus 5:21) and in this sense it is to be repeatedin the secondclause. ‫רקמ‬
signifies originally "dear, costly," and then "excellent,"glorious, noble."
Compare Jeremiah 15:19, where ‫רקמ‬ "excellent" is opposedto ‫וובז‬
"contemptible;" and Lamentations 4:2, "the sons of Zion, the glorious,"
(Psalms 45:10;Proverbs 3:15; Proverbs 6:26). ‫ןי‬ is used here causatively. At
its commencementunder Cyrus, the Persiankingdom was glorious in wisdom
and honour: its praises were sounded not only by the profane, but also by the
sacredwriters. Geierremarks with regard to the two terms "wisdomand
honour," "duo haec vocabula duplicem pretii causamindicant, sapientiam et
honerem, i.e., partim internam culturam partim externam hominum
existimationem opes aut felicitatemgloriosam." A little folly: that is, folly
which is little in proportion to the entire systemand edifice of which it proves
the ruin. Corresponding to the active cause here, namely, "the little folly,"
stands that which is actedupon, namely, "the much good" in Ecclesiastes
9:18. In the New Testamentalso the leaven is calledlittle, not in relation to a
greaterquantity thereof, but to the whole mass ( ὅλον θύραμα:) see the
parallel passages1 Corinthians 5:6; Galatians 5:9. Folly, sin, is so little and
insignificant that on a superficial considerationit is scarcelynoticed, or at all
events, is lookedupon only as a bagatelle, a peccadillo.

A fly in the ointment
Ecclesiastes10:1
Many people want to serve God, but not completely. They want him to
approve of their lives, but still they continue to do some bad things, on
purpose. So in their lives, they try to combine goodactions with evil actions.
But the result is not good. God insists that his people must serve him only
(Deuteronomy 5:7-9). Jesus saidthat it is impossible for anyone to serve both
God and money (Matthew 6:24). A personwho does not obey just one of
God’s commands has offended againstthe whole of God’s law (James 2:10-
11).
Perfume (or ointment) is oil that has a sweetsmell. It is useful only when its
smell is pleasant. For that reason, its maker must be careful to keepit
completely clean. A little fly may seemtoo small to matter. But it will spoil the
entire jar of perfume. As the dead fly goes bad, it will cause the rest of the
contents of the jar to go bad, too. And when the buyer opens the jar, it will all
smell awful.
The Bible considers it wise to serve God. And it declares that it is foolish not
to serve him. A wise person gives his life completelyto God (Acts 3:19). So, a
wise person does not join in any evil activity (Psalm 1:1).
Of course, people who serve God sometimes do wrong things. But they
considerthat a very serious matter (1 John 2:1). They confess their evil deeds
to God, because they want him to forgive them (1 John 1:9). And God can
forgive those evil deeds because ofChrist’s death (1 John 2:2). © 2014, Keith
Simons.
A Fly In The Ointment
Contributed by Rodney JohnsonSr., on Dec 23, 2009
based on 14 ratings

(rate this sermon)
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Scripture: Ecclesiastes10:1
Denomination: Baptist
Summary: This sermon reminds the believer to be very watchful concerning
the so calledsmall hindrances to his walk with God.
I. THE NATURE OF A FLY.
• It can enter through the smallestcrack.
• A fly is peskyinsect.
• A fly is attractedto a sweetfragrance.
• A fly will searchout unguarded food.
• A fly is hard to swat.
• A fly is a contaminant.
• A fly is small but dangerous.
• A fly is attractedto chaos.
• A fly will soonbecome a swarm
• One fly can mess up a lot of ointment.
II. FLIES HAVE DESTROYEDA MANY LIVES.

A. A Fly turn Solomon’s heart.
B. A Fly messedup David’s life.
C. A Fly turned Sampson into a wimp.
D. A Fly has pulled man Preachers down.
E. A Fly has destroyed political giants.
F. A Fly has distroyed the lives of many athletes.
III. HOW TO KEEP THE FLIES OUT?
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• Keep your area clean.
• Keep your house secure.
• Change your dirty laundry.
• Spray your life with the word.
• Watch out for the small stuff.
• Stay awayfrom garbage.
• Kill him before he lands.
IV. THERE IS A CALL TO CHECK YOUR OINTMENT.
• Prayer life is your ointment.
• Praise life is your ointment.
• Anointing is your ointment.
• Witness is your ointment.
• Walk with God is your ointment.

• Faith life is your ointment.
Conclusion:Be sure that a fly is not hampering your effectiveness in ministry.
May God Bless You
PastorRodneyL. JohnsonSr.,
What's the meaning ofthe phrase 'A fly in the ointment'?
A fly in the ointment is a small but irritating flaw that spoils the whole. Inthe
20thcentury the expressionhas also come to be usedto describe a smallflaw
that comes to light to spoilan otherwise faultless plan.
What's the origin ofthe phrase 'A fly in the ointment'?
These days ointments are chiefly for medicinal use - just the thing for rubbing
on that nasty rash. Inearliertimes, ointments were more likely to be creams or
oils with a cosmetic orceremonial use. Literally, ointmentwas the substance
one was anointedwith. There is considerable anointing in Bible stories andit
isn't surprising therefore that this phrase has a biblical origin. Ecclesiastes 10:1
(King James Version) has:
"Deadflies cause the ointmentof the apothecaryto sendforth a stinking
savour: so dotha little folly him that is in reputation for wisdom and honour."
https://www.phrases.org.uk/meanings/fly-in-the-ointment.html
Flies In The Ointment
Contributed by Terry Hagedorn on Oct 6, 2007
based on 11 ratings

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Scripture: Ecclesiastes10:1-20,Ecclesiastes10:1
Denomination: Baptist
Summary: How to make your testimony stink.
1 2
Next
FLIES IN THE OINTMENT
"Deadflies make the ointment of the apothecaryto send forth a stinking
savour." Ecclessiates10:1
Ointment was a necessaryluxury in Bible times. The anointing of the hair,
face, and exposedskin was an important actof hygiene and grooming in the
arid regions of the Holy Land. (II Sam. 12:20)
The ointment was made by an apothecary(chemist/perfumer). He usually
createdthe lotion by skillfully mixing precious spices and scents into an olive
oil base.
The luscious odor from an open container of the ointment’s spices and olive
oil naturally attractedpeskyflies. The unwitting flies became entrapped in the
miry substance. Theycorrupted the ointment by their presence--causing the
ointment to spoil and stink.
There are many practicallessons for us in this passage. The apothecaryis the
Lord. The olive oil is the Holy Spirit. The spice is the Christian’s life. And, the
sweetsmelling savour (aroma) is the testimony produced by the Holy Spirit’s
work in and through the Christian’s life (Philippians 4:18). Finally, the flies

are the sins in the believer’s life that spoil his testimony for the Lord. Notice
the flies listed in Ecclesiasteschapterten that preachers must avoid:
1. Uncontrolled emotions. Verse two states, "A wise man’s heart is at his right
hand, but a fool’s heart is at his left."
The heart speaks ofthe center of emotion. The right hand speaks ofpoweror
control. Obviously, the lessonis that a personwho cannot controlhis or her
emotions (love, hate, anger, fear, joy, sadness, etc...)has a poor testimony.
2. Hypocrisy. Verse three says, "Yea also, when he that is a fool walkethby
the way, his wisdomfaileth him, and he saith to every one that he is a fool."
People who are inconsistentin their testimony are hypocrites. The waythey
act is affectedby the company they keep. In church they act like a Christian.
On the job they actlike the world. I was witnessing to a man. He told me that
he workedat a certain factory. I said, "Oh, then you must know Mr. So-and-
so. He’s a deaconat a (certain) church." When he heard that, he startedto
laugh. I askedwhy he was laughing. He said, "If he’s a deacon, then I’m the
Pope!Man, that guy has the foulestmouth in the factory."
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People, who are hypocritical in their Christian life, have a fly in the ointment.
It causes their testimony to stink.
3. Contempt for authority. Verse four warns, "If the spirit of the ruler rise up
againstthee, leave not thy place;for yielding pacifieth greatoffences."
The word "yielding" literally means "to heal". One can heal a situation by
submitting or yielding to authority.
Christians, who do not properly respectDivinely appointed authorities:
government officials and law officers, spiritual leaders, or parents, are bad
testimonies for the Lord. We are to conscientiouslyobeythe higher powers.
(Romans 13:1-5) We are to obey spiritual leaders. (Hebrews 13:17)Finally, we

are to obey and honor our parents. (Col. 3:20, Ex. 20:12) Above all, we are to
obey God.
4. A bitter spirit. Verse eight teaches, "He that diggeth a pit shall fall into it;
and whoso breaketha hedge, a serpentshall bite him."
There’s nothing wrong with digging a pit or removing brush; except, when
your purpose is to harm someone else.Thatis implicit in this verse and the
one that follows. Digging a pit for someone to fall into will result in harm to
yourself. (Gal. 6:7) Verse nine talks about removing boundary stones and
timber from another’s property. Again, you will reap what you sow. Although
only the actions are spokenof in these verses, the motive behind such
diabolicalactivity is clear- it is a bitter and jealous spirit. Considerthe
example of King Ahab and Naboth. (I Kings 21)
Some preachers are the most jealous people I know. Remember that
covetousness is idolatry.
How many of us, insteadof loving our neighbor, hold a grudge, and plot
retaliation againstour neighbor for having built a wallor having planted a
tree one inch too close to the property line?
Have you ever witnessedto him or her? How canyou witness when your
testimony is so rotten? It stinks.
5. Lack of spirituality. Verse ten declares, "If the iron be blunt, and he do not
whet the edge, then must he put more strength: but wisdom is profitable to
direct."
You must be sharp spiritually. We are commanded to grow in the Grace of
our Lord Jesus Christ. (II Peter3:18) Preacher, are you growing in the Lord?
Do you whet the edge of your spiritual life? Do you read His Word, pray,
witness, fellowship, and serve Him? If not, then you are dull. A dull testimony
is one that cannotbe a sweetsmelling savour in the nostrils of God or man. '
6. Evil speaking. Verse elevensays, "Surelythe serpent will bite without
enchantment; and a babbler is no better."

This is a large fly in the ointment. There are more sins associatedwith speech
than any other sin listed in the Bible: lying, blasphemy, boasting, gossip, back
biting, cursing, etc... James,the brother of the Lord, states, "If any man
offend not in word, the same is a perfect man..." "perfect" means mature, of
full moral and spiritual growth. A liar is at leastcarnal-maybe NOT even
savedat all! A habitual liar has never been saved!(I John 3:9, Rev. 21:8)
How many Christians have spiritual halitosis? I’ve already mentioned a
deaconwhose testimony stunk because oflying. Have you ever been lied to by
a Christian? Have you ever heard a brother or sistercurse? How did it affect
your opinion of him or her? If it adversely affects us, then what do you think
it does to the lost? ReadEccles.10:12-1 , and 20.
7. Slothfulness. Finally, verse eighteentells us, "By much slothfulness the
building decayeth; and through idleness of hands the house droppeth
through."
Laziness is a sin that ruins many preachers. King David is a tragic example of
how a "man after God’s own heart" can ruin his testimony. (II Samuel 11)
David tarried in Jerusaleminstead of going to battle. "It came to pass in an
eveningtide, that David arose from off of his bed (It’s evening and he’s still in
bed!), and walkedupon the roof of the king’s house: ...and saw a woman
washing herself", and the rest is a tragic story illustrating the adage-an idle
mind is the Devil’s workshop.
Does your testimony send forth a sweetsmelling savor? Does it really? Maybe,
you just think so!
Have you ever had a friend offer you a breath mint- at arm’s length? You
were embarrassed. You had not even realized that your breath smelled.
Right?
If God tells you that you have an odor- don’t be offended! Hey, what are
friends for? Rather, thank the Lord for being a friend who will tell you the
truth.
The best wayto keepa sweetsmelling testimony is to keepthe rotten flies out
of your ointment. You can’t keepflies from flying over the ointment; however,

you cankeepthem from landing in the bowl. Keep it covered. If one gets in,
then remove it immediately before it corrupts your testimony.
MY ADVICE ON PEST CONTROL:
Avoid flies--avoid temptation (I Tim.6:11). Remove the flies--if you sin, then
repent and confess it immediately. (I John 1:9) Screenyourself from flies--
keepyour testimony covered. (I John 1:7) Finally, use spiritual Fly Spray
insectrepellent--saturate yourself with the Word, "Thy Word have I hid in
mine heart, that I might not sin againstthee." (Psalm119:11)
If you do these things, then your life will be "a sacrifice to God for a sweet
smelling savor"-well pleasing to the Lord. (Eph. 5:2)''
DEAD FLIES
in the Anointing
MAIN TEXT: Ecclesiastes10:1 (KJV) Deadflies cause the ointment of the
apothecaryto send forth a stinking savour: so doth a little folly him that is in
reputation for wisdom and honour.
Eccesiastes10:1 (AMP) “ DEAD FLIES cause the ointment of the perfumer to
putrefy [and] send forth a vile odor; so does a little folly [in him who is valued
for wisdom] outweighwisdom and honor.”
Ecclesiastes10:1 (CLV) “ As dead gadflies cause a compound of oil to stink, to
bubble forth, So a little frivolity outweighs wisdomand glory. “

Ecclesiastes10:1 (Hebrew Interlinear) “ Gadflies of death he causes to stink
and he causes to emit oil of one compounding precious from wisdom from
glory silliness little”
THIS IS BOTHA DISCUSSION OF WISDOM/FOOLISHNESS AND THE
ANOINTING/SIN.
Exodus 30:25 (KJV) “ 25 And thou shalt make it an oil of holy ointment, an
ointment compound after the art of the apothecary:it shall be an holy
anointing oil. “
This is the same kind of oil of the apothecarythat they would use to anoint the
high priest and holy things that were to be dedicatedto the Lord God. It was
a holy anointing oil that is being described.
Understand that this sweetsmelling holy anointment was an outward symbol
of the anointing of the Holy Spirit. The anointing oil was usedto coverthe
stink of the flesh so that the priest could enter into the glory or presence or
heaviness of the presence of God. The anointing would have to be heavy
before he could enter into the holy of holies, or the glory would destroy the
flesh.
The anointing comes from our innermost being in the believer. John7:38
(KJV) “38 He that believeth on me, as the scripture hath said, out of his belly
shall flow rivers of living water. “
The presence ofthe Holy Spirit within us reveals the anointing in our lives,
and that anointing is to cover us so that we can enter into the glory (khabod)
of the presence ofGod. The glory was seensometimes as a cloud that hovered

over the worshipers head, and sometimes like on the Day of Pentecostcame
with a greatsound of wind and fire which was overeachhead.
The glory is the “heaviness”ofGod when God manifests more of His presence
in a place. That occurs when the people of God worship Him in Spirit and in
Truth, and the anointing in them rises up and anoints their worship for He
inhabits our praise. Getting into the atmosphere of the glory will transform
and change your life forever.
The anointing is what allows us to do the works of God. It is God manifesting
through us in His power. It is what makes us effective when we walk in the
Spirit and are led by the Spirit… that is walking filled with the Spirit. Luke
4:18-19 (KJV) “18 The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he hath
anointed me to preach the gospelto the poor; he hath sent me to healthe
brokenhearted, to preachdeliverance to the captives, and recovering of sight
to the blind, to setat liberty them that are bruised, 19 To preach the
acceptable yearof the Lord. ”
Jesus Christ, the Anointed One is the one who anoints us with the Spirit of
God.
THE ANOINTING:
Gives us powerto proclaim the goodnews and be a witness for Jesus with
power
Goodnews for those in need
Healing for the brokenhearted
Deliverance to those who are captives
Where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty

Recovering ofsight to the blind – healing of the body
Set at liberty those who are crushed or bruised
Brings us into the Acceptable Year of the Lord – Jubilee
The anointing or presence ofGod brings the Word of Godalive in our lives,
which fills us with the wisdom of God (what the text is talking about). God in
us produces the fruit of the Spirit and gives us the abundant life in Christ (the
Anointed One).
But understand this: the Holy Spirit is very sensitive. He can be quenched or
grieved. See, the anointing oil canbe corrupted in our lives. The Spirit canbe
grieved, and the manifestationof God in us can be corrupted by DEAD
FLIES, or sin by giving into our flesh.
The more delicate the perfumed oil, the easierit is for it to be spoiled for
common perfumes are not so sensitive. See, the Holy Spirit is very sensitive
and He can be grieved when we submit to flesh and sin instead of Jesus.
Ephesians 4:29-5:1 (KJV) “ 29 Let no corrupt communication proceedout of
your mouth, but that which is goodto the use of edifying, that it may minister
grace unto the hearers. 30 And grieve not the holy Spirit of God, whereby ye
are sealedunto the day of redemption. 31 Let all bitterness, and wrath, and
anger, and clamour, and evil speaking, be put awayfrom you, with all malice:
32 And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even
as God for Christ's sake hath forgiven you. 1 Be ye therefore followers of
God, as dear children; “

When we let flies get into this very delicate and precious anointing oil, it
corrupts or putrefies and turns that which is wonderful and goodinto
something that is corrupted and stinks. We become a stink unto God, and no
longerdoes the fruit of the Spirit come forth, but the works of the flesh.
Flies are dirty and filthy by nature. They thrive in filth and contaminate what
they getinto. You can have something totally clean, and one fly can bring the
filth that it has carried from somewhere else and ruin that clean thing.
Flies are connectedmany times to demons at leastmetaphorically in
scriptures. Beelzebub means literally the lord of flies, or the lord of dung.
Demons like to getinto our lives and corrupt and bring us awayfrom the
truth of God’s Word and into FoolishError. 1 Timothy 4:1-2 (KJV) “1 Now
the Spirit speakethexpressly, that in the latter times some shall depart from
the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils; 2 Speaking
lies in hypocrisy; having their consciencesearedwith a hot iron; “
They were “DEAD” flies. The anointing brings life, but dead flies have the
nature of death or “SIN” in it. Sin, when it is finished brings forth death.
James 1:15 (KJV) “ Then when lust hath conceived, it bringeth forth sin: and
sin, when it is finished, bringeth forth death.”
In these last days just before Jesus comes back for His church, especiallyin
America, Canada, and Europe where so much of the gospelhas been preached
and so many churches exist, so many who once had the pure anointing of God
has now been corrupted by the seductionof demons and are now being led
into foolishness.

Wisdom and foolishness shownare shownhere. A little foolishness will
corrupt wisdom. True wisdom comes from Godthrough His Word mixed
with the anointing or presence of God. The corruption of that Word and
anointing with a “fly” in the anointment corrupts wisdom.
There is a peril that Jesus warns us of in the last days when the catching away
of the church occurs. Half of the church will be wise and half of the church
will be foolish. Half will be anointed, and half will be lukewarmwith not
enough oil to keeptheir lamps lit. These shall be left behind and have to face
the tribulation compared to the wise which shall be caught up to the Marriage
Supper of the Lamb.
Matthew 25:1-4 (KJV) “ 1 Then shall the kingdom of heaven be likened unto
ten virgins, which took their lamps, and went forth to meet the bridegroom. 2
And five of them were wise, and five were foolish. 3 They that were foolish
took their lamps, and took no oil with them: 4 But the wise took oil in their
vessels with their lamps. “
When the midnight cry was made, they all trimmed their lamps and lit them,
but the foolish did not have enough oil to keep them lit. The wise could not
give them their oil or they would not have enough. You can’t be carried by
someone else’s walk withGod.
The foolishrecognizedthe problem and went to getmore oil… they repented
and did get oil or anointing for their vessels,but the door to the Marriage
Supper was closedto them. They could not go.
Once again, foolishness is seenby not taking the oil… a goodsupply of the
anointing in your vessel… you! It is seenin the lukewarm who are

compromised by sin and not walking fully in the Spirit of God keeping their
vessels filled with the Spirit.
HOW MANY HAVE HAD THEIR OIL SPOILED BY SIN OR DEAD
FLIES? HOW MANY HAVE BEEN CARELESS WITH WHAT GOD HAS
TRUSTED TO THEM AND NOW THEY SPIRITUALLY STINK?
Ephesians 5:15-20 (KJV) “ 15 See then that ye walk circumspectly, not as
fools, but as wise, 16 Redeeming the time, because the days are evil. 17
Wherefore be ye not unwise, but understanding what the will of the Lord is.
18 And be not drunk with wine, wherein is excess;but be filled with the
Spirit; 19 Speaking to yourselves in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs,
singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord; 20 Giving thanks
always for all things unto God and the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus
Christ; “
A little foolishness is able to destroy wisdom in your life. A LITTLE
COMPROMISE WITHSIN IS ENOUGH TO CORRUPT THE WALK YOU
HAVE WITH GOD and rob you of the abundant life.
Are there dead flies in your life? Has demonic spirits workedtheir way
through the weaknessesofflesh and gottento your understanding and walk
with God? Ephesians 4:27 (KJV)27 Neithergive place to the devil.
When we “compromise”, thenwe allow something nasty to be mixed in with
something holy and it just does not take too much to destroy our walk with
God. And when our walk goes, so does the fruit of the Spirit as the Holy
Spirit is quenched in our lives. 1 Thessalonians5:19 (KJV)19 Quench not the
Spirit.

Foolishnessovertakes wisdomand where we once might have been a pleasure
to the Lord, now the dead flies in our oil has made us stink and God now
receives no pleasure out of our lives. Our lives then become wastedand we
become unproductive in the Kingdom of God.
If much of the 3rd World is in revival and experiencing the glory of God
according to all reports, then where do you suppose the half of the church
(body of Christ) that is lukewarm and foolishat the catching awayof the
church? America needs revival! We need to repent and replenish our supply
of oil… we need a fresh anointing.
Ecclesiastes10:A Fly in the Ointment
November 9, 2015 / brandonwross
READ and LISTEN
(20 verses, 2:00 to read)
What I am about to READ
The differences betweenfolly and wisdom
MARK and LEARN
The first verse of this chapter, a well known saying from the book of
Ecclesiastes, sets the theme for the whole chapter: “Deadflies make the
perfumer’s ointment give off a stench; so a little folly outweighs wisdom and
honor.” The “fly in the ointment” as we sayis folly, which eventhough it
might be small, ruins and taints even the best virtues.

Solomongives examples of this kind throughout this chapter. Here he
outlines the damage of folly in that it cannot only cause one spiritual harm,
and harm of reputation and life, but also physicalharm (vs. 8-10). Even
something so simple as walking a straight path on the road, or knowing the
way to a city (to which most roads would lead) are difficult for him because he
uses not wisdom (vss. 2-3, 15).
This folly is manifest in a fool by what he does, but especiallyby what he says.
The words of a fool “consume him”, end in “evil madness”, andare
numerous, for the fool “multiplies words” even though he knows nothing of
certain matters (vss. 12-14). This is a common theme in Proverbs as well, that
a fool speaks whenhe should not and uses words when it would be better to
keepsilent. Fools always have something to say.
Relatedto foolishness is the sloth which would allow the house to fall in and
roofs to leak rather than work to fix them (vs. 18). This is relatedto the words
of Paul “if one will not work, let him not eat bread” (2 Thess. 3:10).
At the end, folly comes from our own hearts, but wisdom comes from the
Word of the Lord that we would heed it and not our sinful and foolish ways.
MEDITATE
Lord Jesus, you are Wisdom incarnate. You have come to be a light unto my
path, and your word a lamp to my often stumbling and waywardfeet. I often
stray into folly and foolishness as I trust in the works ofmy hands for my
daily bread, yes, even for my own holiness. Keep me in the narrow way of
your gifted righteousness forthe sake ofyour most precious blood. In your
name, Amen.
Peace,
Pr. Ross

What Does "A Fly In The Ointment" Mean?
4 Answers
Will Martin answered
A fly in the ointment is an old idiom still in use today. It means one problem
or unpleasant element in a situation which is otherwise perfect, or at least
very good. Forexample, you might say: "I love my job, and my colleaguesare
really nice. The only fly in the ointment is the boss - he's so difficult." This
would imply that your boss is the only thing you don't like about your job.
The idea behind this idiom is that ointment is something good - you use it to
soothe painful skin or improve your appearance, so basicallya smooth,
peacefulsituation can be compared to ointment. On the other hand, flies are
associatedwith dirt, disease andgeneralunpleasantness. If you have a fly in
your jar of ointment, the jar is contaminatedand you will not want to use it
again, or at leastuntil you've got rid of the fly. So it really is quite a logical
idiom.
Thank Writer Comment Blurt

Anonymous answered
The expressionis derived from Ecclesiastes10:1. The essenceis that a small
thing that is bad, (dead and rotting flies) can overwhelm what is otherwise
pleasantor good(a perfumer's ointment). The secondhalf of the verse states
that "a little folly outweighs much wisdom."
Many a hard-won reputation has been destroyed by being caught in a single
indiscretion.
Thank Writer Comment Blurt
Anonymous answered
In English, the phrase fly in the ointment is an idiomatic expressionfor a
drawback, especiallyone that was not at first apparent, e.g.
Sam's lack of map-reading skills turned out to be the fly in the ointment when
he applied for the job.
A likely source is a phrase in the King James Bible:[1]
Deadflies cause the ointment of the apothecaryto send forth a stinking savour
(Ecclesiastes 10:1)
For five centuries now 'a fly in the ointment' has meant a small defectthat
spoils something valuable or is a source of annoyance. The modern version
thus suggeststhat something unpleasant may come or has come to light in a
proposition or condition that is almosttoo pleasing;that there is something
wrong hidden, unexpected somewhere. This idiom has been used in the title of

some books:The Fly in the Ointment: 70 Fascinating Commentaries onthe
Science ofEveryday Life and The Fly in the Ointment by Alice Thomas Ellis.
A FLY IN THE OINTMENT
Mike Thomley
08/19/18- Spiritual Warfare
A Fly In The Ointment
Deadflies make the perfumer’s ointment give off a stench; so a little folly
outweighs wisdomand honor. (Ecc. 10:1)
Lately, flies have been getting into my house. Few things irritate me more
than a buzzing, vile housefly terrorizing me all over the place. From
childhood I was taught that flies were nasty and should always be shooed
awayor killed if possible. Lateron, in schoolI was taught about how flies
were born, lived, and spread disease. Ihave had way too much experience
seeing them around dead, rotting flesh and bodily discharges. Where is that
fly swatterwhen you need it?
It’s interesting that the phrase “a fly in the ointment” originatedin the Bible.
Nothing is more sickening than when a fly lands on and crawls around on
cleandishes, delicious food, a helpless infant. (Remember those appeals on
televisionfor donations to charitable organizations for starving children in
third-world countries? If you saw them, you know how strong the impact
was.) Sucha small thing causes so much misery and repugnance in our daily
lives.
Notice how the preacherin Ecclesiastes uses sucha nauseating analogyto
drive home the truth about foolishness in a person’s life. Deadflies in the
perfume not only ruin it, they cause it to give off a stinking odor—the very
opposite for the purpose it exists. And don’t miss that he says it takes only a
little folly, just like it only takes a little fly to ruin things.

How easyit is for us to dismiss the foolish“little” things as if they don’t have a
lot of impact. Physically, we know the power of a germ. Soap, sanitizer,
water, disinfectant, cleanhand towels, etc. are important things among
civilized people. The cancerous cell, the microscopic virus, the small cut are
things we have learned that wreak havoc on our bodies.
Do we also understand how the “little” things can wreak havoc on our souls?
Proverbs is full of healthy instruction about the danger of foolishness. “Folly
is a joy to him who lacks sense(wisdom), but a man of understanding walks
straight ahead” (Prov. 15:21). As we continue to read in Ecclesiastes10:2-3:
“A wise man’s heart inclines him to the right, but a fool’s heart to the left.
Even when the fool walks onthe road, he lacks sense,and he says to everyone
that he is a fool.” Sin is the fly in our life. And it’s disgusting! It’s deadly!
We need to cleanup our lives, getrid of the dead flies that infect us and make
us stink to God and to others. We do that first and always through the blood
of Jesus Christ. “…how much more will the blood of Christ…purify our
consciencefrom dead works to serve the living God” (Heb. 9:14). “But if we
walk in the light, as He is in the light, we have fellowship with one another,
and the blood of Jesus His Son cleansesus from all sin” (1 John 1:7). Are you
washedin the blood? (Rev. 7:14).
We must heed James’admonition to “cleanseyour hands, you sinners, and
purify your heats, you double-minded…humble yourselves before the Lord,
and He will exalt you” (James 1:8, 10).
Farmers Marketof Foolishness| Ecclesiastes10:1-20
December13, 2015 Speaker:Christopher Rich Series:The Pursuit |
Ecclesiastes
Topic: Old Testament Passage:Ecclesiastes10:1–10:20
Listen

Downloads
Introduction | Farmers Marketof Foolishness
Goodmorning! This week we are continuing our series of Ecclesiastescalled
The Pursuit: Chasing Meaning Under the Sun. Where do we go to find
wisdom, meaning, and purpose? What is the point of all our
accomplishments? Where is our hope when we life is met with failure or even
simple toil and boredom? Is this all there is to life? In life under the sun all
seems to be vanity as we struggle to find our purpose and meaning apart from
God. The message ofthis sermon of Ecclesiastes isn’t “all of life is meaningless
and nothing matters”;it’s because ofGod as the source ofall meaning, and
goodness,as we live the life we are given EVERYTHING matters! Last week
we saw because ofsin eachof us will face death one day, but we are calledto
live all others. Chapter 7 was a day at the Smithsonian, but at leasteachone
felt like a separate distinct place and theme. Chapter 10 is going to feel like a
trip to chaotic a farmers marketwhere different booths are all connectedbut
sometimes in ways that don’t easilymake sense. You’re going to expectto get
a gooddeal on flowers and maybe an elephant ear but instead you’re talking
too long to someone who is too political and you leave with homemade soap.
We’re going to stroll through this chapter and try to come out the other side
with some clarity and hope.
A Little Foolishness |v1-3
Ecclesiastes10:1-3 | Deadflies make the perfumer's ointment give off a
stench; so a little folly outweighs wisdomand honor. 2 A wise man's heart
inclines him to the right, but a fool's heart to the left.3 Even when the fool
walks on the road, he lacks sense, andhe says to everyone that he is a fool.
Chapter 9 closedwith a reminder that one man’s sin can undo a world of
good. Chapter 10 opens with a similar statement about a little folly
overwhelming wisdom and honor. Nearly everyone gets the conceptthat there
are ways to walk through our daily lives that are more effective than others.
You cannot simply say “allpursuits in life are equally valid or profitable.” To

do so is to deny the presentreality we are all experiencing. We know actions,
decision, even thoughts and attitudes have consequences in our lives. In this
case we see that a little foolishness canspreadlike an infection. The
foolishness describedisn’t buffoonery like Homer Simpson. It is a moral not
an intellectual deficiency. Even among those who appear to live wiselythere
are moments, actions, offoolishness that greatlyovershadow any wisdom or
honor they may have had. We like to think that our “good” and life giving
qualities will somehow overshadow orcoverour areas of foolishness. See
when it comes to sin and foolishness anounce of sin outweighs tons of wisdom.
It only takes a little foolishness to tarnish our whole lives. Sometimes we have
more than a little.
Folly comes from our deformed hearts. Verse 2 isn’t about American politics.
The right hand symbolized strength, for support, protection, and salvation, to
have your heart directed “right” means to be wise and skillful in your day to
day life. Conversely“left-handedness” was seenas incompetent weakness,to
press in that direction meant you were tying your heart affections and
inclination to that which will not bring life.
Our hearts desires betray who are truly are. We desire folly because we’re
fools. He is someone who has simply saidin his heart “There is no God.” Since
wisdom, life, and honor all come from Godto deny Him is deny these things.
A fool confidently relies on their own wisdom and ability and their life shows
it. Fools can’thide. They will always be exposedand everyone can see. There
isn’t any practicaladvice in this sectionit is simply laying out the truth of the
contrastbetweenwisdom and folly. This is sad and sobering when it’s an
individual, but it is terrifying and destructive when it is someone in leadership
over others.
FoolishPolitics | v4-7; 20
Ecc 10:4-7 If the angerof the ruler rises againstyou, do not leave your place,
for calmness willlay greatoffenses to rest. 5 There is an evil that I have seen
under the sun, as it were an error proceeding from the ruler: 6 folly is set in
many high places, and the rich sit in a low place.7 I have seenslaves on horses,
and princes walking on the ground like slaves.

This is what happens when a little foolishness begins to creepinto leadership.
There are individual and corporate consequences,but there are also ways the
wise are called to respond in these situations in generaland leaders
specifically. There is a way to respond to frustrating leadership that is Godly
and wise. We all have people leading us either in government, in our work,
even in our families where you at certain points when they’re frustrated with
you (or you with them) you come to a point where you just want to check out,
resignyour post, sometimes even in a huff. This is foolish. Instead of one
person being angry, now two people are. Fools canrespond to leadership
challenges by hitting the ejectbutton. (If so and so is electedI’m going to
move to Canada or Texas)We we’re calledto press in peacefully. We are told
“a soft word turns away wrath” (Proverbs 15:1) The calmness mentioned in
verse 4 also translates as “healing”. This is difficult because ourbaseline
response to foolish leadership is to rally and rail againstit as we know we are
the wise in comparison. The end of the chapter speaks ofhow we are to react.
20 Even in your thoughts, do not curse the king, nor in your bedroom curse
the rich, for a bird of the air will carry your voice, or some winged creature
tell the matter. Modern translation: When you're really angry about politics
or at cultural-political-economic-media elites, evenwhen reacting to stuff
you're seeing on your smart phone while lying in bed, don't tweetabout it.
While I am right at home talking about politics I believe there is a more
immediate and personal application for us. There is an evil that has proceeded
from our lives. We had godly leadership (literally God) in the gardenwho
approachedus with life and purpose and humanity’s response was to reject
His rule, alienate themselves from God and ultimate they were castout and
had to flee. Rather than God having his rightful place of lord over our lives
while we willingly and joyfully submit to Him, because ofsin, we have
inverted this relationship placing ourselves in charge. As such we have all
placed ourselves in a place of leadershipover our lives we are not designed for
and do not flourish in. We not riding in a private jet we’re flying it, except
flying it with all the skill of a drunk baby and we wonder why we crash.
Meanwhile we’ve relegatedGodto being “a strangeron a bus”. This
foolishness affects ourdaily lives.

FoolishActions | v8-11; 18
8 He who digs a pit will fall into it, and a serpent will bite him who breaks
through a wall. 9 He who quarries stones is hurt by them, and he who splits
logs is endangeredby them. 10 If the iron is blunt, and one does not sharpen
the edge, he must use more strength, but wisdom helps one to succeed. 11 If
the serpentbites before it is charmed, there is no advantage to the charmer.
18 Through sloth the roof sinks in, and through indolence the house leaks.
Our daily lives can include any number of pursuits, but all of us are called to
live wiselyin the world God has made. Living vindictively or wickedlyis
foolish. Digging a pit is to seta trap. Breaking a wall is self-centered
destruction. There are inherent punishments to certain activities. You live
intentionally hoping to knock someone else downour out; you shouldn’t be
surprised when you suffer painful consequences.
Dangeris not limited to merely those pursuing wickedness.Becauseour world
is fallen work that is supposedto be purposeful turns into toil. More than
discomfort or frustrating sometime our toil canbe downright deadly. Hours
and hours of focusedcareful work can be outweighedby one misstep or slip.
When we are careless or fail to be diligent, catastrophe canbe close by. There
is wisdom in preparing slowlyand diligently for what we’re called to do. Keep
sharpening your tools and learning your trade. You canneglectthese things
and you canstill getthe job done, you’re just going to have to use more
strength. White knuckle brute force may be effective but it is not sustainable
in the long run. You’ll getexhausted and defeated. It’s hard plowing through
life in a way that is less than efficient. This happens in our lives as disciples of
Jesus. There is wisdom given in the pursuit of Godliness that better equips for
us success, consuming God’s word, prayer, community, but we discard
diligence in these. Instead we keepwalking loadeddown and working only to
see our lives dull and our effectiveness dwindle. Your life is one that needs to
be diligent in what you’re doing now and preparing/growing for where you’re
going. Be deliberate, avoid disaster;but don’t fall into sloth when you have an
urgent task. Slow downbut not too slow… The life of a disciple is one of

A fly in the ointment

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