John Calvin Commentary Isaiah 55:8

"For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith Jehovah." — Isaiah 55:8 (ASV)

For my thoughts are not your thoughts. This passage is expounded in various ways. Some think that it universally condemns the life of men, so that they may not be satisfied with it or flatter their vices; for we cannot approach God except by removing a false conviction of our own righteousness. And indeed, no one calls for physicians except those who are driven by the severity of disease to seek both health and remedies. Accordingly, this passage is compared by them to that saying of our Lord, What ranks high among men is abomination in the sight of God (Luke 16:15).

But the Prophet’s meaning, I think, is different, and is more correctly explained, in my judgment, by other commentators, who think that he draws a distinction between God’s disposition and man’s disposition. Men are accustomed to judge and measure God by themselves, for their hearts are moved by angry passions and are very difficult to appease; therefore, they think that they cannot be reconciled to God once they have offended Him.

But the Lord shows that He is far from resembling men. It is as if He had said, “I am not a mortal man, that I should show Myself to be harsh and irreconcilable to you. My thoughts are very different from yours. If you are implacable, and can with difficulty be brought back to a state of friendship with those from whom you have received an injury, I am not like you, that I should treat you so cruelly.”