John Calvin Commentary Isaiah 19:22

"And Jehovah will smite Egypt, smiting and healing; and they shall return unto Jehovah, and he will be entreated of them, and will heal them." — Isaiah 19:22 (ASV)

Therefore Jehovah will smite Egypt. From what has already been said, the Prophet draws the conclusion that the chastisement that he has mentioned will be advantageous to the Egyptians, because it will be a preparation for their conversion; as if he had said that it will be for the good of Egypt that the Lord will punish her.

Those who translate the words, “he will strike with a wound that may be healed,” misinterpret this passage and greatly weaken the Prophet’s meaning. For it means that the wounds will be advantageous to them, and that by means of these wounds the Lord will bring them back. Therefore, we should conclude that we must not refuse to be chastised by God, for it is done for our benefit (Proverbs 3:11–12; Hebrews 12:5–7).

Exemption from punishment would foster a disposition to sin with less control. Since people are exceedingly prone to give way to their own inclinations, whenever God spares them for a little while, it is therefore necessary that the Lord prevent this danger. He does this by chastisements and stripes, which excite and arouse us to repentance. A remarkable instance of this is exhibited here in Egypt, which abounded in superstitions and wickedness, and went beyond all nations in idolatry, and yet experienced the mercy of God.

For they shall be turned to Jehovah. We must attend to the manner of its accomplishment, which is their conversion to God. It is the explanation of the former clause, as if he had said, “God will heal the Egyptians, because they shall be converted.” The copulative ו (vav) signifies for.

Therefore, we infer that conversion can be said to be a resurrection from eternal death. We are utterly ruined so long as we are turned away from God; but when we are converted, we return to His favor and are delivered from death—not that we deserve the favor of God by our repentance, but because in this manner God raises us up, as it were, from death to life.

A promise is added to repentance, from which we conclude that when we sincerely repent, we do not implore forgiveness in vain. Now, when the Prophet says that the Lord will be gracious and reconciled to the Egyptians, he at the same time shows that as soon as they have been converted, they will obtain forgiveness.

It will therefore be a true conversion when it is followed by a calling on God. But without faith (Romans 10:14) it is impossible to call on God, for even the ungodly may acknowledge sin. However, no one will have recourse to the mercy of God or obtain reconciliation until he is moved by a true feeling of repentance, which is also accompanied by faith.

And will heal them. He does not repeat what he had said, that God strikes in order to heal; but he promises healing in another sense, that is, that God will cease to inflict punishments. The former healing, which he mentioned a little before, was internal, but the latter relates to stripes and wounds. In short, he means that it will be a speedy remedy for all their distresses.

After being reconciled to God, there is nothing in us that calls for punishment. For from where does punishment come but on account of guilt? And when guilt is pardoned, exemption from punishment will quickly follow. If we are chastised, it is evidence that we are not yet sufficiently prepared for repentance.

In a word, let us remember this order, which the Prophet points out to us:

1. That stripes prepare people for repentance.
2. That they are healed, because they are delivered from eternal destruction.
3. That when they have been brought to the knowledge of their guilt, they obtain pardon.
4. That God is gracious and reconciled to them.
5. That chastisements cease after they have obtained pardon from God.

Everyone ought to acknowledge within themselves what Isaiah here declares concerning the Egyptians, in whom the Lord holds out an example to the whole world.