15 A quarrelsome wife is like the dripping
of a leaky roof in a rainstorm;
16 restraining her is like restraining the wind
or grasping oil with the hand.
of a leaky roof in a rainstorm;
16 restraining her is like restraining the wind
or grasping oil with the hand.
The climate of the Middle East is one of contrasts. There are times of extreme dryness, when rain would be welcomed, but it does not come. Then there are periods of soaking rains, when it seems that it will never stop.
Imagine if you are inside your home, and the rainy season has arrived. Now imagine that your roof is leaking in spots. Arrrggghhh! You spend your time running about with pots and pans, trying to catch the drips. You can't go outside to fix the roof, because it's pouring out there. You are miserable inside, because of the constant drip, drip, drip into the containers . . . It's getting on your nerves. It's making you crazy.
This is the situation that Solomon is comparing to a nagging wife. I know we have studied this before, but God had a good reason to bring it to our attention again. We're human, and we're forgetful! Are we quarrelsome at times? Do we argue, debate, fight, quarrel, and question everything? Oy.
Here's the way we are supposed to act; in Proverbs 11:16 we already saw:
Let's look at the second verse . . .are you wondering what Solomon meant? I think we can all identify with the fact that mere mortals can't restrain the wind --- Christ told the wind and the waves to "be still," but that's not in our department! The other example Solomon gives us is to "grasp oil." This word is specific to the heavily perfumed oils for personal use, not the oils for light or fuel. You know what happens when you spritz some perfume into the air, or onto your wrist? It goes everywhere, doesn't it? You can't exactly grab it in your hand and hide it . . .
One commentary that I read, said that a wise husband, for the sake of his reputation and that of his wife, will try to hide the fact that she is contentious and quarrelsome --- but that his efforts will be futile, like those of someone who tries to stop the wind from blowing, or the scent of perfume from spreading.
Let's determine to be the type of woman that our Father would have us be; and use this guidance from I Peter chapter 3:
Imagine if you are inside your home, and the rainy season has arrived. Now imagine that your roof is leaking in spots. Arrrggghhh! You spend your time running about with pots and pans, trying to catch the drips. You can't go outside to fix the roof, because it's pouring out there. You are miserable inside, because of the constant drip, drip, drip into the containers . . . It's getting on your nerves. It's making you crazy.
This is the situation that Solomon is comparing to a nagging wife. I know we have studied this before, but God had a good reason to bring it to our attention again. We're human, and we're forgetful! Are we quarrelsome at times? Do we argue, debate, fight, quarrel, and question everything? Oy.
Here's the way we are supposed to act; in Proverbs 11:16 we already saw:
16 A kindhearted woman gains honor,
but ruthless men gain only wealth.
However, each one of you also must love his wife as he loves himself, and the wife must respect her husband. Ephesians 5:33If we are to give more than lip service to the notion of "how much I love my husband" then we need to be kindhearted, and we need to respect him. If we question every decision, and every opinion he states, we will be perceived as a disrespectful spouse.
Let's look at the second verse . . .are you wondering what Solomon meant? I think we can all identify with the fact that mere mortals can't restrain the wind --- Christ told the wind and the waves to "be still," but that's not in our department! The other example Solomon gives us is to "grasp oil." This word is specific to the heavily perfumed oils for personal use, not the oils for light or fuel. You know what happens when you spritz some perfume into the air, or onto your wrist? It goes everywhere, doesn't it? You can't exactly grab it in your hand and hide it . . .
One commentary that I read, said that a wise husband, for the sake of his reputation and that of his wife, will try to hide the fact that she is contentious and quarrelsome --- but that his efforts will be futile, like those of someone who tries to stop the wind from blowing, or the scent of perfume from spreading.
Let's determine to be the type of woman that our Father would have us be; and use this guidance from I Peter chapter 3:
Wives, in the same way submit yourselves to your own husbands so that, if any of them do not believe the word, they may be won over without words by the behavior of their wives, 2 when they see the purity and reverence of your lives. 3 Your beauty should not come from outward adornment, such as elaborate hairstyles and the wearing of gold jewelry or fine clothes. 4 Rather, it should be that of your inner self, the unfading beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is of great worth in God’s sight. 5 For this is the way the holy women of the past who put their hope in God used to adorn themselves.It will be much easier then, for our husbands to act correctly in return (also I Peter 3):
Husbands, in the same way be considerate as you live with your wives, and treat them with respect as the weaker partner and as heirs with you of the gracious gift of life, so that nothing will hinder your prayers.Those are some "tall orders" but with God's help, our homes can be "drip-free"!!
My husband has made it pretty easy to not be a nagging wife. Not because he's perfect, but because he doesn't tolerate it. Period. I respect that and try my best not to nag.
ReplyDeleteI've sometimes been embarrassed at women who act this way to their husband in front of others. Even though I'm not the one doing it, I feel bad about it.