The Lord will surely comfort Zion
    and will look with compassion on all her ruins;
he will make her deserts like Eden,
    her wastelands like the garden of the Lord.
Joy and gladness will be found in her,
    thanksgiving and the sound of singing.

4 ‘Listen to me, my people;
    hear me, my nation:
instruction will go out from me;
    my justice will become a light to the nations.
5 My righteousness draws near speedily,
    my salvation is on the way,
    and my arm will bring justice to the nations.
The islands will look to me
    and wait in hope for my arm.
6 Lift up your eyes to the heavens,
    look at the earth beneath;
the heavens will vanish like smoke,
    the earth will wear out like a garment
    and its inhabitants die like flies.
But my salvation will last for ever,
    my righteousness will never fail.

We note in verse 3 God’s ability to wonderfully and beautifully and totally transform situations. But, not only will He do this for Israel (3); He will also do it for the world (4-6). ”These are the ‘other sheep’ Jesus spoke about who would one day hear the shepherd’s voice and be gathered into his fold. They have joined the pilgrimage because they are convinced that only the LORD, the God of Israel, can mend the world’s ills. And they are right! ‘Take one last look at the world you know,’ he says to them, ‘because it will soon pass away. A new age of righteousness – a new world – is about to dawn’ (6).” Barry Webb: Isaiah, p.202.

 I have other sheep that are not of this sheep pen. I must bring them also. They too will listen to my voice, and there shall be one flock and one shepherd. John 10:16.