Welcome to NachDaily with Iyov, Perek 20. This is Tzofar’s second response.

The Malbim explains that in Tsofar’s first response regarding why bad things happen to good people, he spoke of human knowledge derived through our 5 senses. This of course makes our perception of reality totally subjective so that we can never really accurately judge what’s good or bad. God’s knowledge, on the other hand, knows the true, inner essence of things in an objective manner. Only He can really judge who is righteous and who is a sinner.

Theoretically, Tsofar could have used this reasoning to explain why good things happen to bad people and why the wicked prosper, because both good and evil can only be judged by Hashem.

However, we will see in this perek that Tsofar actually abandons this approach. He reasoned that this approach is only for the more philosophically minded. He knew that Iyov would ridicule and embarrass him for this line of reasoning.

Tosfar maintains that evil people actually do suffer in this world. Despite what it looks like on the outside, their lives are filled with inner turmoil, broken relationships and many die horrible deaths. It goes without saying that worse than the suffering in this world is that of the soul which is ultimately cut off from any type of reward in the next world.

Tsofar agrees that even though it was more common to see evil people get punished in early generations, it’s still fairly common and shouldn’t be overlooked.

In verses 1 through 3, Tzofar feels compelled to respond, especially after Iyov insulted and shamed him.

Tzofar says in pessukim 4 and 5: “You know that it has forever been the case that ever since man was put on earth, that the signing of the wicked is short lived. And the happiness of the hypocrite is only for a moment.”

Tsofar challenges the idea that the wicked prosper because even if it looks that way, it’s only short lived. He explains that the Rasha will ultimately be lost like “excrement” (verse 7).

In verses 10 through 16, Tzofar goes into greater detail about how the evil- doer will suffer. His family will become poor.

Verse 12 says, “Im tamtik b’fiv ra’ah yach’chedena tachas l’shono – Deadly poison will taste sweet to him; he will secrete it under his tongue.” The Rasha is already filled with harmful poison which testifies to his evil nature.

In verse 17 until the end of the perek, Tzofar continues to explain that a wicked person’s prosperity is not true success, as he is never satisfied. The wicked do not experience happiness, inner peace or a feeling of contentment from their wealth.

Ultimately God will expose the evil desires and plans in the wicked person’s heart and will send down His burning anger.

The last passuk, 29, says “Zeh cheilek adam rasha mei’Elohim v’nachalas imro mei’El – This is the wicked man’s portion from God, the lot designated for him by the Lord.”

Stay tuned to the next episode of NachDaily when we’ll learn Iyov’s response to Tzofar.

Thank you for listening, and have a wonderful day.