Proverbs 27:16-21
Prov 27:16 (KJB)
Whosoever hideth her hideth the wind, and the ointment of his right hand, which bewrayeth itself.
 
Bewrayeth - To call, invoke, exposed, or name
Ointment - Oil
 
If a husband is able to quell the continual contentions of a woman, then he will have the power to hide or store the wind, which of course, is absolutely impossible. It is the same situation with holding oil in his right hand. If he holds the oil in his hand and even if he closes his hand and makes a fist, the scent of the oil will be smelled by whoever is in close proximity. This would mean that as much as he tries to halt his contentious wife, she will still maintain that demeanor even when there is company in their home or if they go out. Attitude does not change just because the surroundings do.
 
Prov 27:17 (KJB)
Iron sharpeneth iron; so a man sharpeneth the countenance of his friend.
 
Sharpeneth - Together
 
Just as two pieces of metal are rubbed together to create an edge which is sharp, such as the edge of the sword or the way we sharpen knives today, is the way that two friends can sharpen each other. This means that two people who are good friends interact with each other for the purpose of shaping the way one acts or their motivations. In other words, they help each other to gain strength in wisdom and understanding. They will stand with each other in rough situations and come to each other’s aid when needed. This also has a spiritual application, Christians must sharpen the biblical understanding of other Christians and if one is believing a wrong doctrine, the other one should not be afraid to warn them of the teachings they are following.
 
Prov 27:18 (KJB)
Whoso keepeth the fig tree shall eat the fruit thereof: so he that waiteth on his master shall be honoured.
 
Keepeth - To guard, observe, or preserve
Waiteth - Guards
 
The one who keeps the fig tree shall eat of its fruit. (2 Tim 2:6 KJV) The husbandman that laboureth must be first partaker of the fruits. In 2 Tim. 2:6, it states that the husbandman, the one who cares for the tree, will be the first to eat of its fruit. The fig tree may take about 6 months to grow and mature its fruit. An early picked fig will not ripen, it must ripen on the tree. So we have here a question of longsuffering because figs take longer to ripen than other fruits. (James 5:7 KJV) Be patient therefore, brethren, unto the coming of the Lord. Behold, the husbandman waiteth for the precious fruit of the earth, and hath long patience for it, until he receive the early and latter rain. So the one who tends the trees have to wait before they can enjoy of the fruit. It is like Christians who must wait and tend to the flock of God at present and when the last one is saved, that is, akin to the last fig that is ripened, then the last day is ushered in and with it, the harvest. The second half of this verse concerns itself with trust. If we are given a task and we fulfill that task correctly, then we will be rewarded with honor. Probably the best illustration of this would be Joseph who took care of all Potiphar had. Joseph was so good at taking care of his master, that Potiphar did not even know how many things he had. (Gen 39:6 KJV) And he left all that he had in Joseph's hand; and he knew not ought he had, save the bread which he did eat. And Joseph was a goodly person, and well favoured.
 
Prov 27:19 (KJB)
As in water face answereth to face, so the heart of man to man.
 
When one looks in the water and sees their reflection, they are seeing themselves as they truly are complete with all the imperfections. Just as the physical image is portrayed in the water, and today we would use a mirror, the heart of man is reflected by his actions and words. If a man brings forth evil actions, then those actions mirror what is in his heart, that it is one which is unregenerate. If his actions and words bring forth godly actions and words, then it mirrors the fact that they are saved. (Mat 7:20 KJV) Wherefore by their fruits ye shall know them. The actions and words of a person are the true mirror of the soul to the outside world. It is by these that a person can tell whether they serve the Lord or themselves.
 
Prov 27:20 (KJB)
Hell and destruction are never full; so the eyes of man are never satisfied.
 
(Isa 5:13-14 KJV) Therefore my people are gone into captivity, because they have no knowledge: and their honourable men are famished, and their multitude dried up with thirst. {14} Therefore hell hath enlarged herself, and opened her mouth without measure: and their glory, and their multitude, and their pomp, and he that rejoiceth, shall descend into it. Just as Isaiah had told Judah that because of their disobedience, hell had enlarged herself, which means that hell was ready to meet as much disobedience as they could muster. In Proverbs 27:20, we read the same principle that hell and destruction are never full because disobedience to God is something that continues until the last day, so as much sin that is committed, hell will never be full because it keeps receiving the unbelievers. Just as hell is never full, the eyes of man continue to lust after things. If they have obtained something they sought for, then as soon as they received it, they begin to set their eyes on something else. There is no such thing as worldly satisfaction because the things of the world never satisfy.
 
Prov 27:21 (KJB)
As the fining pot for silver, and the furnace for gold; so is a man to his praise.
 
Just as in metallurgy, where the impurities are removed by high heat so the dross comes out of the metal and floats to the top so it can be skimmed off, likewise is the man who receives praise. If his heart becomes lifted up and prideful, it will reveal the true nature of his heart. The dross of pride will come to the surface and if he notices it, he may then repent of his ways and seek the Lord but if not he will die in his sins. Praise will be the fining pot and the furnace for it will reveal the dross of pride. Silver and gold may look pure but its purity only comes after it is heated and the impurities removed, then it is truly pure. A person can become truly pure only by receiving Christ as Savior and then the dross of sin is removed.

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