John Calvin Commentary Isaiah 32:8

"But the noble deviseth noble things; and in noble things shall he continue." — Isaiah 32:8 (ASV)

But the liberal shall devise liberal things. We have already said that these statements of the Prophet have a deeper meaning than is commonly supposed, for he is not speaking with the ordinary meaning of the words but is discussing the reformation of the Church. Therefore, this relates to the regenerate, over whom Christ reigns. For, although all are called by the voice of the gospel, few allow themselves to be placed under His yoke. The Lord makes them truly kind and bountiful, so that they no longer seek their own convenience but are ready to give assistance to the poor. They not only do this once or more often, but every day they advance more and more in kindness and generosity.

In acting liberally he shall make progress. This passage is commonly explained differently: namely, that the liberal advance themselves and become great by doing good, because God rewards them and bestows greater blessings on them. This view is appealing at first sight. However, the Prophet, on the contrary, shows that the liberal will never cease to perform acts of generosity, for they will daily make greater progress, pursue the same designs, and adhere firmly to their intention, as the Psalmist says,

He hath dispersed, he hath given to the poor; his righteousness endureth for ever (Psalms 112:9; 2 Corinthians 9:9).

This is added because it is easy to counterfeit liberality for a time. Many even think they are sincerely bountiful because they have performed an act of beneficence, but they quickly cease and change their purpose. But true liberality is not momentary or of short duration. Those who possess that virtue persevere steadily and do not exhaust themselves in a sudden and feeble flame, of which they quickly afterwards repent.

This is what the Prophet intended to express by the word קוּם (kūm), which signifies “to arise” and “to grow.” Indeed, many occurrences hinder the progress of our liberality. We find strange ingratitude in people, so that what we give appears to be poorly bestowed. Many are too greedy and, like horseleeches, suck the blood of others.

But let us remember this saying and listen to Paul’s exhortation, not to be weary in well-doing (Galatians 6:9), for the Lord exhorts us not to momentary liberality, but to that which will endure during the whole course of our life.