Proverbs 27:15 says, A continual dropping in a very rainy day and a contentious woman are alike.  Just as the dripping of rain can become annoying, so can a woman who is contentious, or disagreeable.  Of course, the same can be said of a man who is contentious.  Verse sixteen adds, Whosoever hideth her hideth the wind, and the ointment of his right hand, which bewrayeth itself.  A person would be wise to hide a contentious spouse, but it is as impossible to do as hiding the wind would be.  Contentious people will make themselves known, whether anyone attempts to keep them from doing so or not.  Verse seventeen states, Iron sharpeneth iron; so a man sharpeneth the countenance of his friend.  If used the right way, iron can sharpen iron.  If our friendship is true, it can help sharpen the well being of that friend.  We will always want what is best for them.  Verse eighteen declares, Whoso keepeth the fig tree shall eat the fruit thereof: so he that waiteth on his master shall be honoured.  I believe this is a call for us to be diligent in our work and our relationship to others, especially those in power over us.  We are to bring glory to God by our actions and attitude.  Verse nineteen declares, As in water face answereth to face, so the heart of man to man.  When we look into water and see our reflection, it can only be a reflection of what we look like.  When we deal with others, it will likewise be a reflection of what is in our heart, or innermost being.  Verse twenty says, Hell and destruction are never full; so the eyes of man are never satisfied.  Just as there is not just a certain number of people who can be saved, there is not a set number of people who cannot be saved.  When our lusts and desires cannot be satisfied by what God has blessed us with, then we may be on our way to adding to the number of people in hell.  Verse twenty-one states, As the fining pot for silver, and the furnace for gold; so is a man to his praise.  Just as refining brings out silver and gold, so does praise bring out the true character of a person.  We can either accept the praise with humility giving the honor to God, or we can allow it to make us vain.  As followers of Christ, we should always live so that He is glorified and not us.  Verse twenty-two says, Though thou shouldest bray a fool in a mortar among wheat with a pestle, yet will not his foolishness depart from him.  This tells us that even if he were ground down to nothing, the fool will not accept the truth of God.  We cannot beat the devil out of someone who will not accept the gospel of Christ.  Verse twenty-three declares Be thou diligent to know the state of thy flocks, and look well to thy herds.  We may not have flocks or herds, but we do have jobs and a calling from God.  We are to be diligent in doing what we are called and employed to do.  Verse twenty-four states, For riches are not for ever: and doth the crown endure to every generation?  When we die or Christ returns, we will leave everything behind.  Even before then, we may lose all that we own, because riches really are only temporary.  Ruling families do not rule forever.  We can look at the Russian czars for example to see this.  Verse twenty-five says, The hay appeareth, and the tender grass sheweth itself, and herbs of the mountains are gathered.  I believe this means that the earth will produce the food that we need in its season.  Verse twenty-six continues, The lambs are for thy clothing, and the goats are the price of the field.  Not only does God provide a way for us to eat, but He provides a way to clothe us as well.  Verse twenty-seven concludes, And thou shalt have goats’ milk enough for thy food, for the food of thy household, and for the maintenance for thy maidens.  God will meet our needs, and the needs of those who rely on us, if we will only be obedient to Him.  God expects us to faithfully do what He calls us to do, and then He will provide for all our needs.