Albert Barnes Commentary Job 5:27

"Lo this, we have searched it, so it is; Hear it, and know thou it for thy good." — Job 5:27 (ASV)

Behold, this – All this that I have said; the truth of all the remarks which I have made.

We have searched it – We have, by careful observation of the course of events, come to these conclusions. These are our views of God's providence and of the principles of His government, as far as we have had the opportunity to observe, and they are well worthy of your attention.

The sentiments in these two chapters indicate close and accurate observation. If we think that the observation was not always entirely accurate, or that the principles were carried further than facts would warrant, or that Eliphaz applied them with somewhat undue severity to Job's case, we must remember that this was in the world's infancy. At that time, they had few historical records and no written revelation. If they were favored with occasional revelations, as Eliphaz claimed (Job 4:12 and following), they were nevertheless few in number, occurred at distant intervals, and the divine communications concerned only a few points.

Though it may be properly maintained that some of the views of Eliphaz and his friends were not entirely accurate, yet we may safely ask: Where among the Greek and Roman sages can views of the divine government be found that equal these in correctness, or that are expressed with equal force and beauty?

For profound and accurate observation, for beauty of thought and sublimity of expression, the sage of Teman will not fall behind the sages of Athens. Indeed, not the least interesting thing in contemplating the book of Job is the comparison which we are almost inevitably compelled to make between the observations on the course of events which were made in Arabia, and those which were made by the philosophers of the ancient pagan world.

Is it improper to suppose that one design of this book was to show how far the human mind could go, with the aid of occasional revelations on a few points, in ascertaining the principles of the divine administration, and to demonstrate that, after all, the mind needed a fuller revelation to enable humankind to comprehend the truths pertaining to the kingdom of God?

Hear it for thy good. The margin, as in Hebrew, reads “thyself.” These principles are so important that it is for your own good to understand and apply them.