I hesitate addressing today’s proverbs, especially since this is the wedding day of one of the sweetest young ladies I have had in my ministry! To the bride and her groom I wish God’s very best on their wedding day. Having stated that note of clarity, allow me the task of applying Proverbs 27:15-16.
Proverbs 27:15-16 – “A continual [continuous; pursuing] dropping in a very rainy [pouring, persistent rain] day and a contentious [brawling; striving] woman [wife; bride] are alike [resemble one another]. 16 Whosoever hideth [denies; restrains] her [contentious woman] hideth the wind [akin to restraining the wind], and the ointment [oil; grease] of his right hand [usually the stronger hand or grip], which bewrayeth [call out; proclaim] itself.”
Solomon once again states an observation that, though true, might best be acknowledged with a knowing smile among men and a lesson wives would be wise to heed without their husband’s instruction!
Living with a contentious, argumentative woman is, according to the man who had a thousand wives and concubines (1 Kings 11:1-3), like the annoying dripping of rain through a roof…[some modern metaphors of the same could be the annoying beeping of a home fire alarm whose battery fails in the night or a dripping faucet].
Solomon’s observation: Attempting to bridle a contentious wife is like trying to harness the wind of gripping an object with a greased hand…impossible!