John Calvin Commentary Isaiah 34:17

"And he hath cast the lot for them, and his hand hath divided it unto them by line: they shall possess it for ever; from generation to generation shall they dwell therein." — Isaiah 34:17 (ASV)

And he hath cast the lot for them. He says that to those wild beasts and monsters there has been granted a secure and permanent habitation, from which they cannot be easily banished or driven out, because God has allotted it to them as their portion by inheritance. This means that the whole of Idumea is at the disposal of the Lord, to drive out the inhabitants, and to grant possession of it to whomever he pleases, either wild beasts, or birds, or monsters.

From this, infer that it is vain for men ever to promise themselves a permanent abode, except insofar as every person has obtained his place “by lot,” and on the express condition that he is to instantly leave it, whenever God calls. We lead a dependent life wherever he supports us; and either on our native soil, or at a distance from our fatherland, we are strangers.

If he is pleased to give us a peaceable habitation for a long time in one place, it will only be by his special favor that we will dwell there; and as soon as he sees fit, he will compel us to change our abode. Besides, if we acknowledge that a residence in this or that country has been appointed to us by God, we may dwell in it with safety and composure; for if he keeps wild beasts in possession of the place which he has allotted to them, how much more will he preserve men, for whose sake he created heaven, earth, the seas, and all that they contain?