My wife and I were at a restaurant on a date, and the waiter brought out our entrees. As we began to eat, my wife stopped and lowered her head.
“What is it?” I asked.
She sighed. “There’s a hair in my pasta.”
Sure enough, there was a hair.
Do you know what we did? Probably the same thing you do. We called the waiter back and very kindly asked for a whole other meal.
Why? The rest of the meal was probably fine. Why didn’t we get the hair out and eat around it?
But we didn’t know where the hair had been, whose it was, or how dirty the hair was.
The waiter apologized and replaced the entrée.
It was only a little hair, and in the right place and context, that hair wouldn’t have been a big deal. But it didn’t belong in a meal, at least to us.
A little thing can make a big difference. What may seem simple or minute could have a huge impact. A small thing can ruin big things. Ask a mechanic or someone building a skyscraper.
The Bible contains a verse that has become a cliché in modern times. The “fly in the ointment” reflects the idea of a small, dirty object having a big impact. But we can look closer and find meaning deeper than the cliché.
The phrase “fly in the ointment” is found in Ecclesiastes 10:1 in the Old Testament. To understand the context of this passage, it is important to consider the overall theme and message of the Book of Ecclesiastes.
Ecclesiastes is part of the wisdom literature from the Old Testament. King Solomon, the son of David, was given great wisdom by God, and Solomon was known for not only his own wisdom but for collecting the wisdom of others. From those collections and writings, we get Proverbs and Ecclesiastes.
Ecclesiastes, attributed to King Solomon, explores the meaning and purpose of life from a philosophical and reflective standpoint.
The author, often referred to as the Preacher or the Teacher, examines various aspects of human existence, highlighting the fleeting nature of worldly pursuits and the limitations of human wisdom and accomplishments.
The key word in Solomon’s musings in Ecclesiastes is vanity, the empty meaning of trying to have a life that matters apart from God.
Solomon was an incredibly wealthy king, and he admits to pursuing his own pleasure in women and drinking, but he realizes those pursuits end up meaning nothing. Power, fame, prestige, none of those add any value to life. Only God can bring contentment and meaning.
The original Hebrew title for Ecclesiastes is Qoheleth, a rare term found only in Ecclesiastes, and comes from the root word qahal, which means to convoke an assembly or to assemble.
Qoheleth is someone who addresses an assembly or a preacher. The Latin translation, Ecclesiastes, means the speaker before an assembly.
Solomon was internationally known for his wisdom. Even queens from far off came to marvel at what he had to say. And the peace and wealth of his time reveal the fruit of his wisdom.
In Ecclesiastes 10:1, the passage reads in KJV, “Dead flies cause the ointment of the apothecary to send forth a stinking savour: so doth a little folly him that is in reputation for wisdom and honour.”
This use of metaphor is common in wisdom literature, connecting true and deep statements to normal everyday life. Jesus, also known as the son of David in Messianic terms, did something similar with his parables.
However, Jesus often didn’t explain the full meaning to the crowd he shared the stories with, only the disciples later. Solomon, in Proverbs and Ecclesiastes, makes the meaning of those wisdom metaphors clear.
In biblical times and various ancient cultures, ointment was not only a practical substance but also carried symbolic meanings in religious, social, and ceremonial contexts.
In the Bible, ointment was often used for anointing in the process of consecration and setting apart individuals for specific roles or tasks.
Priests, kings, and prophets were anointed with oil as a sign of God's chosen ones. This anointing represented divine empowerment, authority, and consecration for their respective roles.
Ointment was also used as an offering to God, representing devotion, gratitude, and adoration. Pouring ointment or anointing sacred objects demonstrated reverence and acknowledgment of God's presence.
Since dead bodies tend to stink, anointing the body with fragrant oils served as a form of final honor and preparation for the journey into the afterlife. It symbolized farewell and a gesture of care for the departed.
Beyond the religious symbols, ointment was used for healing and soothing purposes. In biblical narratives, ointment is associated with medicinal properties and the restoration of health. The use of ointment to anoint wounds or ailments signifies the desire for physical and spiritual healing.
In ancient cultures, scented ointments were considered luxurious and were used to enhance personal grooming and beauty. The fragrance of ointment symbolized pleasantness, attractiveness, and the delight of the senses.
Due to the process and cost, ointment was also associated with prosperity and affluence. The possession of fine ointments demonstrated wealth, social status, and the ability to enjoy life's comforts.
Ointment was also used as a sign of hospitality and honor. Guests were often welcomed with anointing oil, symbolizing the host's respect and care for their well-being. This act of anointing guests' heads or feet represented acceptance, honor, and blessing.
With all of these implications, the “fly in the ointment” takes on a complex meaning.
The image of a dead fly contaminating the perfumer's ointment, causing it to emit a foul odor, illustrates how a single act of folly can outweigh wisdom and honor.
It emphasizes the consequences and negative outcomes that can result from even minor lapses in judgment or foolish behavior.
The metaphor suggests that just as a small fly can ruin a whole jar of precious ointment, a single act of folly or foolishness can undermine or negate the value of wisdom, honor, and righteousness.
It serves as a cautionary reminder that even a small departure from wisdom and prudence can have significant consequences and diminish one's reputation.
On a spiritual level, the Spirit is connected to the ointment, the anointing, as kings like David for leadership and priests like Aaron were anointed for their service before the presence of God. Jesus was anointed by the actual Holy Spirit upon his baptism, fulfilling the role of King and Priest.
Believers are also anointed by the Spirit, as evidenced in Acts 2 on the Day of Pentecost. We’ve been set apart and anointed by God to be his witnesses, carrying the gospel with us to the ends of the Earth.
This is a holy and epic opportunity and mandate, but we can undermine our witness before others with sin and pride, mixing dead works within the life of the Spirit.
Paul explains how he disciplines his human nature so that while he was preaching the gospel, he might live and act with love to support his preaching, lest he be counted a counterfeit (1 Corinthians 9:27).
Flies are attracted to fecal matter and lay eggs in dead things. This is the opposite of the life of the anointing of the Spirit.
So should we realize that the “little foxes” can ruin the vine, also from Solomon in the poetic Song of Solomon 2:15. Wine is obviously spiritually symbolic within Communion and other passages.
This isn’t a call to legalism but putting to death the works of the flesh in relationship with the Spirit of God, who will guide and help us (Romans 8:13).
It is interesting that Solomon writes about how just like a little fly can ruin a whole big batch of ointment, a little folly can ruin our reputation and impact. Solomon enjoyed great wisdom from God and leveraged his gifts into wealth and peace for the whole nation.
But not the whole nation. Solomon had two weaknesses that planted a seed of trouble for the future of the entire Kingdom of Israel.
First, he married hundreds of women, many of them foreign wives who drew him away into idolatry (1 Kings 11:1-5). Idolatry becomes a struggle for the future of Judah and every generation of the northern kingdom of Israel.
Second, he oppressed workers in his building projects. When his son Rehoboam becomes king, the oppressed workers ask for relief. Rehoboam commits to even harsher work conditions, leading to the split of the entire kingdom of Israel into Judah and Israel (1 Kings 14).
Perhaps he wasn’t as wise as he could have been. Let this be a lesson to us.
While the specific context of the verse relates to the impact of folly and its consequences, several broader lessons can be gleaned from this imagery. Here are some key insights for us:
1. Vigilance in holiness. We are called to live lives of holiness, wisdom, and righteousness. The “fly” represents those small compromises or lapses in judgment that can diminish our witness and detract from our pursuit of godliness.
We should be diligent in identifying and addressing any areas of folly that may undermine our spiritual growth.
2. Consistency of character. A single act of folly can have a disproportionate impact on our reputation and the perception of our faith.
We should strive for integrity and consistency in our actions, words, and attitudes, allowing our faith to shine consistently and avoiding any "flies" that may taint our witness.
3. Diligence in wisdom. As Christians, we are called to pursue wisdom and seek understanding from God's Word. We should cultivate discernment to recognize and avoid situations, choices, or influences that may lead us into folly.
Diligence in seeking God's wisdom equips us to make wise decisions and live in a manner that honors Him.
4. Prudence in choices. This metaphor reminds us that even small acts or decisions can have significant consequences. We should prayerfully consider the potential impact of our choices and seek guidance from God's Spirit.
This includes avoiding compromises, embracing godly wisdom, and making choices that align with our Christian values and beliefs.
5. Pursuit of humility. The fly in the ointment encourages us Christians to cultivate humility in our lives. Recognizing our own fallibility and susceptibility to folly helps guard against pride and self-sufficiency.
Humility opens our hearts to God's guidance and correction, enabling us to learn from our mistakes and seek His wisdom in all aspects of life.
6. Restoration and forgiveness. We all experience moments of folly and lapses in judgment. When we recognize our errors, we should humbly seek forgiveness from God and, when necessary, from others.
Additionally, we should extend grace and forgiveness to those who may have faltered, understanding the potential impact of our words and actions in their lives.
7. Pursuit of Christlikeness. Jesus, as our perfect example, lived a life without any folly or sin. As we follow Him, we strive to align our lives with His teachings, seeking to reflect His character and values.
The metaphor serves as a reminder to pursue Christlikeness and to allow His transforming work in us, purging any "flies" of folly that may hinder our spiritual growth.
We need the revelation and discernment of the Holy Spirit to show us how we still hold on to the dead things in our lives, acts or attitudes that undermine our purpose and calling as priests and witnesses unto God.
Let us remind one another to be humble and open to the correction of God so we can enjoy him in intimacy and purpose.
Peace.
For further reading:
Why Is Ecclesiastes Included in the Bible?
What Does the Bible Say about Fools?
How and Why Are People Anointed with Oil?
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