Welcome to NachDaily, today we’re learning Iyov Perek 9.

This is Iyov 5th response overall, and his first response to Bildad’s take on human suffering.

As we delve further into Iyov. The dialogue between Iyov and his friends become much more philosophical. The Malbim in his in his introduction goes into great lengths bringing all sorts of proofs from the Rambam’s Moreh Nevuchim to try and explain what’s really going on in these chapters. Specifically in this chapter. Obviously for those who want to learn deeper the seforim of Nach are open for all who wants to learn.

While both Bildad and Iyov agree to Divine justice. They both have different ideas of how it works. Essentially Bildad held, human suffering was caused by Divine justice. The suffering a person experiences is in “exchange” for more reward in the world to come. This is called the “exchange” argument.

While Iyov held. Because God is just. God would never allow innocent people to suffer. Therefore, it must be God only rules the world in a general manner and not specific. The specific details of one’s live us ruled by the mazalos.

The perek opens with Iyov speaking up and saying in verse 2 “umnom ya’dati ki chein, ‘uma yitzdak enosh im El? in fact I know that it true. But how can a mortal win his case against God?” The Metsudos explains; Iyov agrees with Bildad that Hashem wouldn’t pervert justice. But then one might ask. If God rules the world through Mazalos. What reward is there for a person who acts righteous? Because a person actions is also governed by Mazalos! – So over here we begin to see how Iyov is beginning to deny free will.

The Metsudas points out an inconsistency in Iyov’s argument. One hand, Iyov held God left the world to the randomness of mazalos. Now Iyov seams to say a person actions are actually pre-ordained, which would imply there is a certain level of providence in the world.

In verse 5 through 13 Iyov goes in to describe the vastness and the Might of God. How He can “uproot mountains.” “Instruct the sun to shine”, and “Fashioned the earth.” So who can stand before God. – Again, essentially the malbim explains. Iyov agrees God must be just. But he goes on to ration, God can be just and leave man to suffer at the same time.

Rav Shwab is quick to point out. Avraham also questioned God’s justice. Prior to Hashem destroying Sedom, Avraham asked God how can you destroy the righteous with the wicked? This is essentially the same question as Iyov. How can God punish innocent people when they didn’t do anything wrong?

Rav Shwab goes on to explain. There are times when Hashem “goes down” to you and allows you to comprehend the reason for your suffering and Divine Mind. This is what Hashem told Avraham by Sedom “Let Me go down and I will see.” But there are other times when God doesn’t allow you to understand His ways. This in return, causes you to try to understand the reason behind your suffering. Which ultimately remains hidden.

In verses 14 through 24 Iyov gives up on defending himself. In verse 16 he says “If I should call out and He answered me, I still wouldn’t believe that He listens to my voice!” Iyov assumes his suffering is determent by mazalos. So why should he even appear to God to judge his case? There’s no point.

Iyov relates feeling battered like a storm as it says in verse 17 “He who battered me like a storm” The gemarah in Bava Basra 16a explains; Interestingly the word se’arah storm here is spelled with a letter sin instead of a samech. This makes the word sa’ara read to mean “hair” instead of “storm”. The Gemarah explains Iyov was cursing at God saying you left me like a storm. But Hashem replies. Every single hair has its own follicle. No two hairs grow from the same hair follicle and overlap. If it did overlap man would be harmed from it. So too do you think I confused you Iyov, with another man named Iyov? Of course not! Meaning, everything God does is exact. There’s a purpose every iota of suffering you experience. It’s not a mistake or random.

In the last part of the perek from verse 25 through 35, Iyov goes back into his past and relates even though he did enjoy good days, time passes quickly. Ultimately he will die and its considered worthless. Astoundingly Iyov states he wants to be free to state his argument against God without harm. If he were not at all scared of divine retribution, he would speak even more freely then he has already.

Stay tuned to the next episode of NachDaily. If you want to see what Iyov has to say even further and where he’ll go next. Thank you for listening and have a wonderful day.