Proverbs 27:15-16

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.



This one stings a bit to write because I have been this wife.

Verse 15 compares me, at times a contentious woman, to the aggravation of a steady drip in the house on a very rainy day.
It's the kind of thing that drives people out.
Into the rain. 


This is not a picture of a husband failing to get his nagging wife to stop. That is as useless as holding back the wind.
This proverb is actually a picture of a husband trying to treasure someone who is doing him no good. 

According to my study on this Proverb, the oil is likely high-priced perfume. Calling the wife “high-priced perfume” means that she is a treasure and to be treasured, but she's just not acting like it.

As always, we expect what people want to know is, "But what do I literally do?"


Husbands: give up. There is no remedy but patience and prayer. Proverbs 19:14 states that a prudent wife is beyond both comparison and contriving. A wise and humble wife is a good gift that you can't give to yourself. Husbands give up your wife to the Lord, and may he give her back to you humble and wise.

Wives: give in.  Your husband WANTS to treasure you like expensive perfume. Ask God to take away the desire to be quarrelsome. Give in to God and let him change your heart. May he soften your heart so that you can give in to your husband.