Isaiah 61:5 English Standard Version (ESV) Strangers shall stand and tend your flocks; foreigners shall be your plowmen and vinedressers;

Clarity has returned. I am a stranger. I am a foreigner. I can relate.

Isaiah’s words to his people are in reference to a day when we would take over being shepherds and work in the field of the Lord, to prepare the way and to harvest the fruits of the labors of others.

We live in the Lord’s field. It is His Vineyard in which we labor.

This is my understanding because I serve the Lord. These words were penned to Israel when the thought of having their flock tended by strangers would have taken on a different understanding. We cannot put ourselves in their historical position. They are from Abraham, Isaac and Jacob which is a different heritage and emotional connection than our adoption.

I know how it feels to be adopted but those that feel like God is their heritage have a different perspective. Strangers and foreigners may feel like the enemy to them. The word usurper comes to mind. Being unfairly replaced is something I do not relate to in the spirit.

Romans 11:11 English Standard Version (ESV)

Gentiles Grafted In

¹¹ So I ask, did they stumble in order that they might fall? By no means! Rather, through their trespass salvation has come to the Gentiles, so as to make Israel jealous.

Paul was a Jew’s Jew, of the tribe of Benjamin, trained by the best in his time in the scriptures. We might take these passages lightly because we have received the blessing associated with their heritage. Paul is trying to show us how it felt to be a Jew during those times.

Don’t expect scripture to mean the same thing to others as it does to you. People of a different heritage will see things from their prospective, via genetics and training.

Isaiah 61:4 English Standard Version (ESV) They shall build up the ancient ruins; they shall raise up the former devastations; they shall repair the ruined cities, the devastations of many generations.

Psalm 22:19 English Standard Version (ESV) But you, O Lord, do not be far off! O you my help, come quickly to my aid!

These two scriptures are only connected because of how I feel personally. Verse 3 was so full, such a blessing, with so much light shining upon it, that verse 4 left me wandering in the dark. I had no help in seeing the relevant passages that would explain what ancient ruins were destroyed and the many generations that I was not a party to in their experiences.

Help me Lord!

My flesh wants to say this is related to Nehemiah.

Nehemiah 1:4 English Standard Version

Nehemiah’s Prayer

⁴ As soon as I heard these words I sat down and wept and mourned for days, and I continued fasting and praying before the God of heaven.

These are words of wisdom that apply to me today. When at a loss for words, take it to heart, fast and pray. The issue of days indicates that I should not expect instant results and to wait on the Lord.

What I could do is what many do in exactly this situation. They go to the commentaries and see what others have gleaned out of the scriptures. It is a reasonable approach when we are in a time crunch, when speed is an issue.

What is personal here for anyone is for them to search their own hearts and to ask Father God.

Will my insistence to push for an answer put me in danger of becoming anyone’s answer man? Will that cause anyone to lean on me rather than the Lord? I have no desire to replace His voice with mine.

If any should choose to go to the commentaries, feel free to do so, and may God bless you.