John Calvin Commentary Isaiah 32:17

"And the work of righteousness shall be peace; and the effect of righteousness, quietness and confidence for ever." — Isaiah 32:17 (ASV)

And the work of righteousness shall be peace. A little before, he severely censured that peace which made the Jews drowsy and slothful; he now promises a different kind of rest, which will be a striking proof of the love of God, who has received them into favor and will faithfully guard them.

We should therefore observe the implied contrast between that false rest which the reprobate think they obtain by their presumption in committing every kind of wickedness, and in which they also fall asleep, and that different kind of rest, on the other hand, which the children of God obtain by a religious and holy life. Isaiah exhorts us to desire this, showing that we should fearlessly believe that a blessed and joyful peace awaits us when we have been reconciled to God.

In this way he recommends that they follow uprightness, so that they may obtain assured peace. For, as Peter declares, there is no better way of obtaining favor, so that no one may do us injury, than to abstain from all evil-doing (1 Peter 3:13). But the Prophet leads them higher, to aim at a religious and holy life by the grace of God.

For nothing is more unreasonable than that wicked men should desire to have peace while they are continually fighting against God. That wish is indeed common, for hardly one person in a hundred will be found who does not loudly praise peace, while at the same time everyone raises up enemies for themselves on the earth, and all in vast crowds disturb heaven and earth by their crimes. Now, this latter rest, being perpetual, is compared by him to the former, which is brief and momentary.

The effect of righteousness. When peace receives this designation, let us learn that, as wars come from the wrath of God, which we provoke by our wickedness, so peace comes from his blessing. Therefore, when we see enemies enraged for battle and rising furiously against us, let us seek no other remedy than repentance; for the Lord will easily calm disturbances when we have returned to him. It is He, as the Psalmist says, who maketh wars to cease to the ends of the earth, who breaketh the bow, and cutteth the spear in pieces, and burneth the chariots in the fire (Psalms 46:9).

We have already said that these things do not relate exclusively to Hezekiah but must be referred to Christ.