Proverbs 27:16-16

The book of Proverbs gives us insights into so many different areas of life. The book gives us instruction on how to live our lives for God. Here is a proverb that gives us insight about constraining a quarrelsome person: 

Proverbs 27:15-16 (ESV)

A continual dripping on a rainy day

and a quarrelsome wife are alike;

to restrain her is to restrain the wind

or to grasp oil in one’s right hand.

I have never tried to grasp oil, but I get the point.   Nor have I ever tried to restrain the wind, but the point is very easy to grasp as well.  Solomon had many wives and many more concubines.   He had not doubt plenty of times to understand and work with a contentious woman/person.    Like a constant dripping from a leaky roof, they are annoying and destructive.    Solomon is telling us that when we have such a women/person in our midst it is best to avoid trying to correct the behavior.  In other parts of this wonderful book he tells us it is better to be on the roof than than in a house with her (Proverbs 21:9).  He also says moving to the desert is better than living with her (Proverbs 21:19).   In Proverbs 26:21 he tells us she is like burning embers.   Avoidance, separation, and pain are all affiliated with this type of women/person.  In contrast is the virtuous women in Proverbs 31. When she opens her mouth, wisdom comes forth (31:26).   You can tell the heart of a women by her words.   The constant dripping of a contentious women is revealing the heart of a women who does not know God or honor God or Fear God.    If you are with one, go to the roof ... you won't change her.