Isaiah 61:5

5 My people, foreigners will come to tend your sheep. People from other countries will tend your fields and vineyards.

Isaiah 61:5 Meaning and Commentary

Isaiah 61:5

And strangers shall stand and feed your flocks
The several congregated churches of Christ, which shall be set among them, compared to flocks of sheep, as they often are; and which shall be fed with knowledge and understanding, with the words of faith and sound doctrine, by pastors of the Gentile race; who shall be raised up by Christ, and shall freely, and faithfully, and constantly perform the office they are called unto; see ( Acts 20:28 ) : and the sons of the alien shall be your ploughmen, and your
vinedressers:
the sons of Gentiles, who were aliens from the commonwealth of Israel, and strangers to the covenants of promise, ( Ephesians 2:12 ) , but now being converted and brought to the knowledge of Christ, and gifted by him, will be of eminent service in his church; which, as it is "God's husbandry", ( 1 Corinthians 3:9 ) shall be filled and cultivated by them; the fallow ground of men's hearts shall be ploughed up by them, with the plough of the Gospel the Lord succeeding their labours; and the seed of the word sown in them, which, by the blessing of God, shall take root, spring up, and bring forth fruit. And whereas the church of God is compared to a vineyard, and particular churches of Christ to vines; such men as are called by grace from among the Gentiles, and have received gifts from Christ, shall be the keepers and dressers of these vines, plant, and prune, and water them, and do everything requisite unto them; see ( Song of Solomon 2:15 ) ( 7:12 ) ( Song of Solomon 8:11 Song of Solomon 8:12 ) .

Isaiah 61:5 In-Context

3 and to help the sorrowing people of Jerusalem. I will give them a crown to replace their ashes, and the oil of gladness to replace their sorrow, and clothes of praise to replace their spirit of sadness. Then they will be called Trees of Goodness, trees planted by the Lord to show his greatness.

4 They will rebuild the old ruins and restore the places destroyed long ago. They will repair the ruined cities that were destroyed for so long.

5 My people, foreigners will come to tend your sheep. People from other countries will tend your fields and vineyards.

6 You will be called priests of the Lord; you will be named the servants of our God. You will have riches from all the nations on earth, and you will take pride in them.

7 Instead of being ashamed, my people will receive twice as much wealth. Instead of being disgraced, they will be happy because of what they receive. They will receive a double share of the land, so their happiness will continue forever.