Welcome to NachDaily with Iyov, Perek 27. This is the second part of Iyov’s 3-part response to Bildad.

Rav Shwab explains that Iyov has now refuted his friends’ arguments that he doesn’t understand the greatness of God. Iyov has apparently convinced them that his understanding of God’s greatness is at least equal to theirs, which is why we no longer hear from them.

Iyov is going to make it perfectly clear to his friends that he refuses to accept their claim that he’s a rasha or responsible for his downfall and illness.

The Malbim notes that his friends’ lack of response indicates that they have nothing to add.

Iyov continues to vindicate himself by swearing that he’s telling the truth. No matter how much he suffers, he will not fool himself into believing that he’s a bad person. He knows in his heart that he’s innocent, and feels deprived of justice. Iyov maintains that he is speaking with truth and sincerity.

Verse 6 says, “B’tsidkasi hechezakti v’lo arpeha lo yecheraph l’vavi m’yamai – I have held fast to my righteousness and will not relinquish it. Never in my life has my heart been ashamed.”

Rav Shwab adds that it’s appropriate to again mention the Gemarah in Sotah 27b that says Iyov only served God out of love. Here we get a glimpse into how deep this love was. It’s only because Iyov had such deep belief in His goodness that he reasoned Hashem didn’t actually punish him. Although he maintained that the world is run by alternative forces and refused to actually accuse God, he articulated his pain and suffering in a very deep and real way.

In verses 7 through 10, Iyov explains that there’s no advantage to living a life of evil because either way one dies and it’s all over.

In verses 12 through 23, which is the end of the perek, Iyov’s friends claimed that the punishment of the wicked is that his children will die and all his wealth will disappear. Iyov argues that this is nonsense. Why would one care about his financial status after he is dead and not able to enjoy any of it? Surely, it would be more pleasurable if he were able to enjoy his wealth, health and prosperity while he’s alive. It would be better for Hashem to punish people before they die

Keep in mind that Iyov held that Hashem wasn’t actually punishing him. because He had essentially left this world to fate. It would be better, he felt, for God to punish people before death. As we see that God doesn’t punish people while they are alive, he furthers his point that God left the world.

Stay tuned to the next episode of Nach Daily when we’ll continue Iyov’s response.

Thank you for listening, and have a wonderful day.