Welcome to NachDaily with Iyov, Perek 35. We continue with Elihu’s rebuke to Iyov.

In the previous perek, Elihu spoke about reward and punishment in general. Now he is going to address Iyov’s suffering more specifically. Iyov had mistakenly deduced that Hashem has no interested in man’s actions, while his friends rationalized that He judges man on an absolute level. One is either good or bad. Therefore, they concluded, Iyov was a sinner. Elihu, however, explains that while God is unaffected by our actions, He still take into account the affect our actions have on others.

In verses 1 through 4, Elihu reminds Iyov of his previous remarks regarding God’s Divine justice. Elihu points out how foolish Iyov was to say, “I am more righteous than God,” and claiming that being a tzaddik doesn’t gain one more than being a rasha.

Now Elihu establishes God’s omnipotence. In verse 5 he says, “Habeit Shamayim u’raeh, v’shur sh’chakim gavhu mimeka – Look at Heaven and see; notice how far the skies are above.” Do you think you really have the ability to affect God? Whether or not you are righteous, does God really gain anything from you? Your actions only affect mortal men like yourself and those around you.

The Malbim explains at length that Hashem gave us the ability to affect our own world for good or evil. We have the ability to create societies that are just, fair, honest, and good. Hashem gave the power to humans to prosecute people that damage society as a way to keep the good intact. The same holds true on an individual level: through our actions we have the ability to create a better or worse world around ourselves.

Many ask, “Where is God?” The real question, Elihu asserts, is, “Where is man?” Hashem gives us the power to affect the world in either direction. Elihu concludes that the wicked are those who destroy society.

In verse 9 until the end of the perek, Elihu addresses Iyov’s question of why God doesn’t punish the wicked. Elihu relates in verse 10 that the reshaim completely forget about God as it says, “But no one asks, ‘Where is God, my Maker, who ordained singing in the night?’”

The Malbim explains that Hashem in His infinite wisdom endowed the creation the ability to take care of itself. Hashem made a certain species of birds that sing through the night to keep themselves awake so that they can be alert for predators.

Hashem has arranged the ability for self-preservation for all living things to protect themselves from enemies. Hashem implanted in man the need to be a social creature, to form societies and create cultures and laws which are good, just, and fair. If most people were good, it would be impossible for evil to thrive. Criminals wouldn’t be able to operate undeterred, and you would have a healthy community or society.

Furthermore, the Malbim continues, it would be unnecessary for God to intervene because society would be uncorrupted. Hashem doesn’t need to openly punish reshaim because he gave us the ability to do that.

Elihu tells Iyov to never say that God isn’t watching. You actually got off lightly! You would never be able to withstand the full strength of God’s judgment.

Stay tuned to the next episode of NachDaily, when we’ll continue with Elihu’s approach to Hashgacha Pratis and why bad things happen to good people.

Thank you for listening, and have a wonderful day.