John Calvin Commentary Isaiah 43:20

"The beasts of the field shall honor me, the jackals and the ostriches; because I give waters in the wilderness, and rivers in the desert, to give drink to my people, my chosen," — Isaiah 43:20 (ASV)

The beast of the field shall honor me. He embellishes the preceding statement. For, amid such a desperate condition of affairs, it was fitting that magnificent language should be used in extolling the power of God, so that words might compensate for what seemed to be lacking in reality. The meaning is that God's power will be so visible and evident that even the beasts, struck by the sense of it, will acknowledge and worship God. This prediction corresponds to the song:

The sea saw and fled, Jordan was driven back. The mountains leaped like rams, and the hills like lambs. At the face of the Lord the earth trembled (Psalms 114:3, 4, 7).

Isaiah here ascribes the same feeling to animals, because by a secret impulse they will be compelled to withdraw, so that his people may pass safely. And yet the reason given is more extensive: they will stand still, as if in astonishment, when they see the miracles.

In short, God declares that he will not allow his people, in their journey homeward, to lack provisions, but describes in exaggerated language his love toward the Jews, so that by the height of their hope they may rise above the world. When we hear these statements, let us also not measure God's power by the nature of things, but let us be lifted up by faith above all that can be seen or known.

My people, my chosen. So that these wretched exiles may not be driven from the hope of heavenly grace and assistance, he reminds them of their adoption. It is as if he had said that amid this ruinous and melancholy condition they still continued to be the people of God, because he who once chose them does not change his purpose.

Therefore, whenever we need to be stirred up to cherish favorable hope, let us remember God’s calling. For, although we are unworthy, it still ought to be considered enough that the Lord has condescended to bestow on us so great an honor.