איוב, פרק י״ב, פסוק כ״ה

Human confusion and the feeling of being completely lost often stem from a profound disruption of judgment rather than a simple lack of knowledge. When people find themselves moving blindly through life, it is as if they are physically feeling their way around obstacles with their hands, much like someone who cannot see [מצודת ציון]. Moving through darkness rather than light serves as a metaphor for those who make mistakes by following empty, worthless advice instead of seeking the light of proper guidance [מצודת דוד, מלבי״ם].

This inability to find the correct path reveals that human beings are not entirely in control of their own destinies. Even when wise and insightful people gather to offer the best possible advice, God is the one who truly directs the outcome. He can frustrate their plans and steer reality to match His original design [מלבי״ם]. This divine disruption reaches its peak when people lose their clarity of mind and wander aimlessly. God actively confuses them [מצודת דוד], creating a state similar to a drunkard. Even if an intoxicated person walks in broad daylight, his legs will stumble. He cannot walk safely or find a secure place to rest, completely overwhelmed by his condition [מלבי״ם].

However, another perspective places the responsibility squarely on human free will. From this viewpoint, walking in darkness is not an arbitrary decree from God, but the direct result of a conscious choice to pursue bad paths. These individuals clearly saw the danger ahead but still decided to avoid the light and ignore their fear of God. God only deepens their confusion after they have already willingly attached themselves to harmful ways. The comparison to a drunkard captures this perfectly. A drunk person is completely at fault for his stumbling because he made the initial choice to drink. In the same way, these lost individuals bear full responsibility for their ultimate confusion, as they freely chose to enter the darkness from the very beginning [אלשיך].