Stinking Savor of Polluted Oil

Daily Scripture Threshing for Wednesday, January 12, 2022

Today’s Text: Ecclesiastes 10:1-3

Key Verse: Ecclesiastes 10:1 (KJV): “Dead flies cause the ointment of the apothecary to send forth a stinking savor: so doth a little folly him that is in reputation for wisdom and honor.”

Among other books in the Hebrew Bible, Ecclesiastes stands out to provide us clear conceptual antithesis of our life and society. Through it, we are blessed to have a genuine distinction between wisdom and folly; a good way to live and otherwise. While its actual author was not directly named, a textual superscript attributes the book to “the preacher,” (Hebrew qohelet and Greek ekklēsiastēs), who is also said to be the son of David, and a king in Jerusalem. No doubt, this description fits Solomon. And this understanding helps us to realize why wisdom is perceived in such a spiritually different way. Having been blessed with so great wisdom, he now perceived the same, not merely as speculative knowledge, but a reflection of a man’s innermost character indicated by his judgment, decisions and actions. And, of course, folly was perceived as the exact opposite of the same.

To this preacher king, foolish ways of life may be concealed for a season; but just as the stench from a oil eventually reveals the presence of a dead fly, at the end, the hidden corruption of any man will by all means be exposed by the stench from his character. It’s so easy for false and hollow reputation to collapse in the face of character. No matter the pretended public aura that comes from perfumed atmosphere; no matter the conveyed false impression; any little odious secret of corrupt savor always has a way to cause its stench despite the perfume. So many men of oil (anointing) have learnt this in different hard ways. A stench is always a waiting reality to reveal whether the oil has a dead fly or not. Sooner or later, the stench will differentiate the corrupt from the genuine. Wisdom, therefore, for men of oils, is not the knowledge of speeches, psychology, or theology; it is the cultivation of character.

Quote for the Day: “Words are not needed to proof genuine spiritual savor. The world only needs to observe, and the content of character should reveal either the inner emptiness and vanity or the sublime fullness and integrity.” (Simon Olatunji)

Prayer: Dear Lord, just like my prayer, let my life life before You and before the world be like the sweet smell of incense; like special perfume that edifies people — in Jesus’ name. Amen.

With all my love and prayers,

Rev Simon Wale Olatunji, Ph.D

The Darling Bishop (DaBishop)

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