John Calvin Commentary Isaiah 22:14

"And Jehovah of hosts revealed himself in mine ears, Surely this iniquity shall not be forgiven you till ye die, saith the Lord, Jehovah of hosts." — Isaiah 22:14 (ASV)

This is revealed. As if he had said, “Do you think that you can escape punishment for your wantonness when God calls you to repentance?” It might be thought that here the Prophet says nothing new, for undoubtedly all things are known to God.

But he adds this to shake off the indolence of men, who would never rise so fiercely against God if they did not think they could deceive Him. For whoever knows that God is his witness must also acknowledge that God is his judge.

Hence, it follows that wicked men, in their wantonness, rob God of His power. Therefore, it is not without reason that they are summoned to His tribunal, so that they may know that they must render an account to Him.

If this iniquity shall be forgiven you till you die. He adds a dreadful threat, that this wickedness shall never be forgiven.

In the Hebrew language, the conditional particle if contains a denial, as if the Lord had said, “Do not think that I am true, or that I have any divine perfections, if I do not take vengeance on so great wickedness.”

The reason why the Jews, in their oaths, reserve something which is not expressed is to accustom us to deeper reverence in this matter. For we entreat God to be our Judge and avenger if we speak falsely, and therefore we ought to restrain ourselves so as not to make oaths at random.

Here Isaiah states generally that nothing is so displeasing to God as impenitence, by which, as Paul says (Romans 2:5), we heap up for ourselves the treasures of God’s wrath and shut out all hope of pardon.