Charles Spurgeon Commentary Isaiah 61:4

"And they shall build the old wastes, they shall raise up the former desolations, and they shall repair the waste cities, the desolations of many generations." — Isaiah 61:4 (ASV)

And they shall build the old wastes, they shall raise up the former desolations, and they shall repair the waste cities, the desolations of many generations.

Truly, God's living Church today shall do all this. The Jewish Church became a waste, and God's glory seemed to be trodden under the foot of His foes; but the true children of the promise, those who are counted for the seed, even as many as believe, who are thus the seed of believing Abraham, shall build up all these wastes, and happy shall they be in such joyous service.

And they shall build the old wastes, they shall raise up the former desolations, and they shall repair the waste cities, the desolations of many generations.

In the days to come, Judea shall again be inhabited, and the ruined cities shall be built up once more. God will bring back his ancient people, converting them to the true faith, and clothing them with glory. As for ourselves, this verse is true in another sense. If we believe in Jesus, that part of us which has been given up to waste shall yet be turned to usefulness, and to God's praise.

And they shall build the old wastes, they shall raise up the former desolations, and they shall repair the waste cities, the desolations of many generations.

When mourning souls find comfort, and captive souls get liberty, they are full of life and full of energy, and they begin to restore what had become wasted and desolate. I assure you that there is nothing for a church by way of medicine at all equal to pouring new blood into her by newly saved souls. They come among us with their new songs, like the sweet birds in summer, and seem to wake the morning with their joyful music. They come among us like the dewdrops from the womb of the morning, sparkling in beauty, bearing the dew of their youth. May God send to many old churches that have become like old wastes, and some communities that have come to be like desolations – may he send to them these builders – these earnest, loving hearts to build them up.