John Calvin Commentary Isaiah 32:20

"Blessed are yet that sow beside all waters, that send forth the feet of the ox and the ass." — Isaiah 32:20 (ASV)

Blessed are you. He shows how great the change will be when Christ will begin to reign. For he had previously said that the desolation would be so great that “thorns and briers” would overspread the holy land, costly houses would be thrown down, and cities and palaces would be levelled with the earth. This would happen when the incessant attacks of enemies would lay that country desolate. But now he says that they will be blessed, because God will give them abundant produce of all fruits. He illustrates that fertility, which could have been described in simple language, with figures: that they will “sow in marshes,” and will “send forth their cattle” into the fields without fear of losing them.

By waters some understand a rich and fertile soil; but the universal particle כל, (chōl), all, leads me to take a different view; as if he had said, “Places that were overrun with waters will be fit for sowing, and there will be no reason to fear that the water will spoil our fields.” We are also accustomed to drive away oxen, asses, and other animals from fields, especially from sown fields, so that they may not eat the grain. But here he says that the grain will grow so thick and plentifully that it will be necessary to send oxen and asses to trim the early growth, as is commonly done when the grain is luxuriant.

He calls them blessed, in accordance with the usage of the Hebrew language, because their labor will never be unprofitable. If it is objected that, under the reign of Christ, such fertility has never been seen, I acknowledge that, even when God has shown the highest kindness to his people, there have still always been visible marks of the curse, which was entailed on mankind by the fall and revolt of Adam (Genesis 3:17).

But since Christ has restored to believers the inheritance of the world, the prophets assert with good reason that he would renew the earth, so as to remove its defilement and restore the beauty it had lost. Those who complain that it is not yet fulfilled ought to consider whether or not they themselves are purified from every stain of sin.

And if they are still far from spiritual righteousness, let them be satisfied with enjoying the blessing of God according to the measure of regeneration. We must not expect to obtain the full enjoyment of this blessing until, freed from the pollution of the flesh, we will bear the perfect image of God.