John Calvin Commentary Isaiah 7:19

"And they shall come, and shall rest all of them in the desolate valleys, and in the clefts of the rocks, and upon all thorn-hedges, and upon all pastures." — Isaiah 7:19 (ASV)

And they shall come. He develops the same metaphor, for bees commonly seek nests for themselves in caverns, or valleys and bushes, and similar places. It is as if he were saying that there would not be any corner in which the enemy would not settle down and dwell. It is unnecessary to trouble ourselves much in explaining why he speaks of bushes and thorns rather than of other things, for the language is figurative. Yet I have no doubt that he intended to state that whether they hide themselves in caverns or seek concealment in valleys, there will be no escape, for the enemy will take possession of the whole country.

From this, we again infer what has been previously observed: that nothing takes place at random or by chance, but that everything is governed by the hand of God. Again, though wicked men may rage and be driven forward in a blind attack, God still puts a bridle on them so that they promote his glory. Therefore, when we see wicked men throwing everything into disorder, let us not think that God has put the bridle on their necks in such a manner that they may rush forward wherever they please; instead, let us be fully convinced that their violent attacks are under control.

From this understanding, we should derive wonderful consolation amid these disturbances, in which the Christian world is so deeply entangled, and by whose violence it is so powerfully shaken that almost everything seems to be in a state of confusion. We should consider that the Lord has a concealed bridle by which he restrains furious beasts, so that they cannot break through wherever the madness of their rage impels them, or go beyond the limits which the Lord prescribes to them.