And strangers shall stand and feed your flocks, and the sons of the alien shall be your plowmen and your vinedressers.
Isaiah 61:5 stands in the restoration promised in Isaiah 61:4-11, in which God's people build the old wastes, raise up the former desolations, and repair the waste cities of many generations. Strangers and sons of the alien do the common work of feeding flocks and serving as plowmen and vinedressers. While outsiders do that labor, God's people rebuild ruined places and serve as priests of the Lord and ministers of God. Around that exchange the passage promises eating the riches of the Gentiles, receiving double for shame and everlasting joy, God's love of judgment and everlasting covenant, being clothed with garments of salvation and the robe of righteousness, until righteousness and praise spring forth before all nations.
The chapter testifies to the work Christ came to do and defines Christ's work. Its prophecy should be compared with the facts of his life and ministry rather than interpreted through prejudice or tradition. This restoring work is medical missionary work, which brings humanity the gospel of release from suffering as the pioneer work of the gospel, the gospel practiced and the compassion of Christ revealed. Where its importance is understood and new fields are entered, the work of the ministry is after the Lord's order, the sick are healed and poor suffering humanity is blessed.
The verse presents this labor of outsiders as part of the work God's people are called to do. The chapter gives inspiration and encouragement to those called to take part in God's work on earth, including entering new fields and spreading the gospel.
Isaiah 61:5 stands in the restoration promised in Isaiah 61:4-11, in which God's people build the old wastes, raise up the former desolations, and repair the waste cities of many generations. Strangers and sons of the alien do the common work of feeding flocks and serving as plowmen and vinedressers. While outsiders do that labor, God's people rebuild ruined places and serve as priests of the Lord and ministers of God. Around that exchange the passage promises eating the riches of the Gentiles, receiving double for shame and everlasting joy, God's love of judgment and everlasting covenant, being clothed with garments of salvation and the robe of righteousness, until righteousness and praise spring forth before all nations.
The chapter testifies to the work Christ came to do and defines Christ's work. Its prophecy should be compared with the facts of his life and ministry rather than interpreted through prejudice or tradition. This restoring work is medical missionary work, which brings humanity the gospel of release from suffering as the pioneer work of the gospel, the gospel practiced and the compassion of Christ revealed. Where its importance is understood and new fields are entered, the work of the ministry is after the Lord's order, the sick are healed and poor suffering humanity is blessed.
The verse presents this labor of outsiders as part of the work God's people are called to do. The chapter gives inspiration and encouragement to those called to take part in God's work on earth, including entering new fields and spreading the gospel.