Welcome to NachDaily with Iyov Perek 33.

Elihu the youngest of Iyov’s friends, had held himself back from speaking because of his age. He understands that wisdom has nothing to do with age or time, but is directly implanted into the soul of man by God. He now claims to begin speaking the words of God.

Verse 1 says, “V’ulam sh’ma na Iyov milai v’chol divarai ha’azina – But now Iyov, hear my words and listen to all I have to say.” Elihu asserts himself as an authentic authority for the true word of God. This gives validity and veracity to his words, something the other friends didn’t claim.

Elihu says, “the spirit of God made me,” which makes him qualified to deliver a proper answer to Iyov. In verse 6 he says, “Yes, I am what your mouth requested, a spokesman for God. I am also cut out of clay.” As Iyov had lamented that there was no one to deliver God’s word, Elihu is saying, “I am here.”

Ramban points out that by saying, “I am also cut out of clay,” Elihu validated Iyov’s feelings so that Iyov would be able to accept his answer and not be intimidated by him. This is also something which none of Iyov’s other friends did.

In verses 8 through 12, Elihu addresses two of Iyov’s assertions. The Malbim explains that Iyov claimed to be pure without transgression and therefore doesn’t deserve what’s become of him. Even if man thought of committing a sin, he’s not responsible because we don’t have free choice as life is preordained.

The Malbim continues to relate that Elihu says God doesn’t demand too much of man. Hashem doesn’t taunt the creation, requiring humans to serve Him beyond their strength. Hashem adjusts His expectations according to each individual’s capabilities. Iyov’s claim that people don’t have free choice because God knows everything isn’t justified because each person’s free choice is going to look different depending on where they are in life. We are each judged according to our own actions.

In verse 14, Elihu begins to address Iyov’s complaint that God doesn’t communicate with man, explaining that Hashem actually communicates with man in dreams. Hashem will do this a few times in order to “wake” a person up, to arouse us to do teshuva during our lifetimes. But if a person fails to listen to the message that Hashem sends him, the messages will stop. Elihu explains that it’s not fitting for God to keep on speaking to the person if he’s not listening.

The Malbim explains from verses 17 until 30 that there are essentially 3 ways that a person can be saved from eternal death. 1) By his merits. 2) Through prayer. 3) Through fixing his deeds. For example, if you steal, you can fix it by returning what you stole.

From passuk 31 until the end of the perek, Elihu again asks Iyov to listen to what he is saying because he is trying to exonerate him. If Iyov has nothing to say, he should remain quiet and actually learn something about life from him.

Stay tuned to the next episode of NachDaily, when we’ll continue with Elihu’s rebuttal.

Thank you for listening, and have a wonderful day.