ישעיהו, פרק ס״א, פסוק ה׳

The vision of future redemption presents a time when the Israelites will be freed from the heavy burdens of physical labor, allowing them to fully embrace their spiritual calling. Nations from around the world will voluntarily leave their homes to work on behalf of Israel, presenting themselves as willing servants [רד״ק, אבן עזרא]. This shift will not happen through force or conquest. Instead, it will grow from a deep, global recognition of the unique spiritual role that the Israelites are meant to fulfill [ביאור שטיינזלץ].

These foreign workers are identified as idol-worshipping nations, such as the Chaldeans [מצודת דוד, מצודת ציון]. A careful distinction is made regarding the different groups of laborers and the tasks assigned to them. Those who come from different nations but live locally will be trusted with shepherding the flocks, as it is not customary to hand over valuable animals to completely unknown individuals from faraway places. On the other hand, true foreigners arriving from distant lands will be assigned to agricultural duties [מלבי״ם]. These agricultural workers will serve as plowmen working the fields [רש״י, מצודת ציון, רד״ק, אבן עזרא] and laborers tending to the vineyards [רד״ק].

The purpose of this division of labor is not exploitation. Rather, it is designed to release the Israelites from the demanding physical work of farming and shepherding. Freed from these daily chores, the people will be able to devote their time entirely to serving God, focusing on prayer and study in their rightful place as priests and servants of the Most High [אברבנאל].

To ensure there is no misunderstanding about this new reality, the prophetic message shifts to address the people directly. By speaking to them face-to-face rather than referring to them from a distance, it becomes absolutely clear that the flocks and fields belong entirely to the Israelites, and not to the foreign nations who are tending them [שד״ל].