John Calvin Commentary Isaiah 24:22

"And they shall be gathered together, as prisoners are gathered in the pit, and shall be shut up in the prison; and after many days shall they be visited." — Isaiah 24:22 (ASV)

And they shall be gathered together, and shall be shut up in prison. He continues his subject in the beginning of the verse. The mode of expression is metaphorical, for they were not all captives, but God reduced them to servitude, as if a man held in his hand the enemies whom he subdued. He therefore brings forward God as a conqueror, who shuts up enemies in prison, as captives are commonly shut up. We know that men, as it were, flee from God and despise Him, as long as He spares them and exercises any forbearance toward them; and on this account also He threatens that they shall be thrown into prison in large masses, so that they may not console themselves with their multitude.

Afterwards they shall be visited. When he adds that after a time they shall be visited, this is not simply a promise. Instead, it also includes a threatening to this effect: “As formerly by their obstinacy they mocked God and excessively prolonged the time of sinning, so God will punish without making haste, until eventually, though late, they acknowledge the cause of their distresses.” Thus earthly judges frequently do not condescend to admit into their presence the offenders who have wronged them, but plunge them into darkness and filth, and gradually wear them out, in order to subdue their obstinacy.

Again, as there are two ways in which God visits the world—either when He punishes the wicked, or when He shows to the elect the tokens of a Father’s kindness—the word visit here signifies “to look upon;” and thus the Prophet softens the harshness of the threatening. It was necessary that the hearts of the godly should be supported amid these distresses, so that they might not faint. On their account, therefore, after various threatenings, the prophets are accustomed to add consolations. Since these statements tended to support believers, they were undoubtedly addressed to the Jews, among whom faith was chiefly found, or rather, where none was to be seen anywhere else.

After many days. This also deserves attention. It was intended to test the faith of the godly, for we are hasty in our desires and would wish that God should immediately perform His promises. We complain that He is slow, and we cannot tolerate any delay. It is therefore our duty to wait patiently for that mercy; and no delay, however long, should make us lose heart. Yet it should also be noted that this does not refer to all; for, as we saw a little earlier, God had determined to save only a small remnant. This ought to motivate us all the more, so that, being humbled by slow and long-continued punishments, we may meet God who visits us.