John Calvin Commentary Isaiah 24:20

"The earth shall stagger like a drunken man, and shall sway to and fro like a hammock; and the transgression thereof shall be heavy upon it, and it shall fall, and not rise again." — Isaiah 24:20 (ASV)

And shall be removed like a tent. This does not mean that any change will occur in the position of the earth; instead, these words, as we have already said, must be referred to people. It is as if he were saying that there would be no kingly power and no regular government. In short, he intended to describe those changes which he had spoken of in the tenth chapter.

And the transgressions thereof shall be heavy upon it. When he says that the earth is laden with its iniquity, he has very appropriately assigned this reason, so that we may understand that God is never angry with people without a cause, for we ourselves are the authors of all the evils we suffer. God is by nature inclined to kindness and regards us with a father’s love; therefore, it is our own fault that we are treated with sharpness and severity, and we have no reason to blame him.

And it shall fall, and not rise again. He finally repeats what he briefly stated a little earlier: that there will be no remedy for those evils. Some think that this relates to the Jews, whose form of government was entirely taken away, so that they were broken down and scattered, and were scarcely recognized as a people. But I offer a more extensive interpretation: that the distresses of the world will be so severe that it cannot be restored to its original condition.

People always contend against adverse events, and their minds are full of confidence. After enduring calamities, they think that there will be some respite, and their minds are swelled with false hopes. The Prophet, therefore, removes these hopes so that they may not in the future deceive themselves with unfounded expectations. However, it should be noted that this general statement does not set aside the exception which Isaiah previously made.