Welcome to NachDaily with Iyov, Perek 16.
This is Iyov’s second response to Elifaz.
The Malbim explains that Iyov does not attempt to answer the question of Tzaddik v’ra lo in this perek, but waits until chapter 21. Iyov is outraged that Elifaz and his friends continued to speak but added little new content to their previous arguments.
Iyov tells his friends that he’s received little comfort from them. In verse 4 he says, “I can also speak as you do. Were our positions reversed, I would string together words for you and nod my head over you.”
The Ralbag and Metsudos explain that Iyov felt that, unlike them, if they were suffering he would provide encouragement and empathy, not the scorn and derision that he’s received.
From verses 6 until 21, which is most of the perek, Iyov cries out in agony over his suffering. He explains that he’s really an innocent victim at the mercy of God and his friends. Iyov describes the nature of his suffering, such as, in verse 8, “You cause me to shrivel up.”
In verses 13 and 14 he laments, “He split open my kidneys without mercy, spilled my bile on the ground. He attacked me again and again, and pursued me like a warrior.”
The Malbim explains that Iyov does not attempt here to address Elifaz on the topic of free choice because he doesn't want to repeat all the old arguments. There’s essentially one point that Iyov is trying to address, which is the characterization of him as an evil, wicked person who’s being judged and punished for his sins.
In the previous perek we saw that Elifaz blamed Iyov for his suffering, claiming that his sins brought him to this fearful state. Iyov is now trying to defend himself, saying that he’s not evil nor does he have any sin.
It's important to keep remembering that in God’s eyes Iyov is considered a Tzaddik. Iyov is essentially saying that because his friends might be more articulate and sharper than he doesn't make them right. Iyov is correct in this regard.
We ultimately don't understand human suffering, which is beyond human comprehension. This is what makes sefer Iyov particularly hard to learn and understand, because at the end of the day, if not for Hashem having allowed Satan to test Iyov, he would not have been deserving of such suffering.
Passuk 22, the last verse in the perek, has Iyov saying “Ki shnos mispar ye’esai’yu v’orach lo ashuv eheloch - for my numbered years are coming to an end. Then I will go the way of no return.”
Rav Schwab explains that Iyov is asking Hashem to make the reason for his suffering clear to the world before he dies so that people will understand why this happened to an innocent man.
Alternatively, the Malbim explains that Iyov is denying reward in the World to Come. In the previous chapter, Elifaz maintained that true reward and success can only be measured in the next World. Iyov disagrees, asking for reward here because as life is preordained, there is no reward elsewhere.
Stay tuned for the next episode of NachDaily as we continue with Iyov’s response.
Thank you for listening, and have a wonderful day.
