1 After Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon had taken into exile from Jerusalem Jeconiah the son of Jehoiakim, king of Judah, together with the officials of Judah, the craftsmen, and the metal workers, and had brought them to Babylon, the Lord showed me this vision: behold, two baskets of figs placed before the temple of the Lord.
2 One basket had very good figs, like first-ripe figs, but the other basket had very bad figs, so bad that they could not be eaten.
3 Then the Lord said to me, “What do you see, Jeremiah?” I said, “Figs, the good figs very good, and the bad figs very bad, that cannot be eaten due to their badness.”
4 Then the word of the Lord came to me:
5 “Thus says the Lord, the God of Israel: Like these good figs, so I will regard as good the exiles from Judah, whom I have sent away from this place to the land of the Chaldeans.”
6 I will set my eyes on them for good, and I will bring them back to this land. I will build them up, and not tear them down; I will plant them, and not uproot them.
7 I will give them a heart to know that I am the Lord, and they shall be my people and I will be their God, for they shall return to me with their whole heart.
8 “But thus says the Lord: Like the bad figs that are so bad they cannot be eaten, so will I treat Zedekiah the king of Judah, his officials, the remnant of Jerusalem who remain in this land, and those who dwell in the land of Egypt.
9 I will make them a horror to all the kingdoms of the earth, to be a reproach, a byword, a taunt, and a curse in all the places where I shall drive them.
10 And I will send sword, famine, and pestilence upon them, until they shall be utterly destroyed from the land that I gave to them and their fathers.
The True Meaning of Jeremiah 24
The book of Jeremiah was written by the prophet Jeremiah, a man called by God to deliver His message to the people of Judah during a tumultuous time in their history. Jeremiah’s ministry spanned several decades, from the reign of King Josiah to the fall of Jerusalem to the Babylonians. Jeremiah receives a vision from God in this chapter that reveals the true state of the people of Judah. Through the imagery of two baskets of figs, the prophet discerns the fate that awaits those who have been taken into exile and those who remain in the land. This vision foreshadows the judgment that will soon befall the nation, as well as the promise of restoration that God will ultimately fulfill. Jeremiah echoes the warnings and promises found throughout the Scriptures as we delve into this passage, calling the people to repentance and reminding them of God’s unwavering faithfulness.
Jeremiah 24:1-3
The prophet Jeremiah receives a symbolic vision from the Lord in Jeremiah 24:1-3. Firstly, the Lord shows Jeremiah baskets of figs, one containing very good figs and the other with very bad, inedible figs. Through this imagery, the Lord conveys a profound message concerning the people of Judah. The good figs represent the people whom the Lord considers righteous and faithful, those who have remained true to Him despite the cultural and spiritual decay surrounding them. These individuals are like the good figs, valuable and pleasing in the sight of the Lord.
Conversely, the bad figs symbolize the wicked and rebellious people of Judah who have strayed far from God’s ways. These individuals are likened to inedible and rotten figs, demonstrating their spiritual decay and moral corruption. This stark contrast between the two groups serves as a powerful reminder of the importance of obedience and faithfulness to God in the face of adversity.
The significance of this vision extends beyond just the immediate context of Jeremiah’s time. It reflects a timeless truth found throughout the Bible – the importance of living a life in alignment with God’s principles. Jesus uses the analogy of good and bad fruit in verses like Matthew 7:17-20 to help people recognize false prophets by their fruits, distinguishing between those who follow God’s will and those who do not. This metaphorical language highlights the eternal principle that our actions and choices have consequences, and that righteousness is ultimately rewarded by God.
Therefore, the message within these verses serves as a call to self-examination and repentance. It reminds believers to strive for righteousness and faithfulness in their relationship with God, knowing that their spiritual fruits – their words, actions, and character – will ultimately reveal the true condition of their hearts. Through this profound vision of the figs, Jeremiah calls the people to choose the path of righteousness and faith, echoing the timeless message of the Bible to walk in the ways of the Lord and bear good spiritual fruit.
Jeremiah 24:4-7
The verses in Jeremiah 24:4-7 can be broken down into several important sections. Firstly, it mentions the good figs, represented by the figs that are very good, like those that ripened early. These figs are a metaphor for the people of Judah who were exiled to Babylon, including King Jehoiachin, the queen mother, the court officials, the princes of Judah and Jerusalem, and the skilled workers and artisans. They were seen as the good figs because they responded to God’s discipline by submitting to His will and seeking His guidance. Despite facing exile and hardship, they remained faithful and obedient to God. This group symbolizes repentance, humility, and a desire for God’s ways. The bad figs are so bad that they cannot be eaten. These figs represent the people of Judah who were left behind in the land of Judah, particularly King Zedekiah, his officials, and the remaining people of Jerusalem. Unlike the good figs who accepted God’s discipline and sought Him in humility, the bad figs were characterized by rebellion, idolatry, and disobedience. They refused to turn away from their wickedness and instead continued to provoke God with their actions. This group symbolizes stubbornness, pride, and a rejection of God’s ways.
The consequences of their actions are laid out in these verses. God promises to make the exiled people like the good figs, giving them a heart to know Him and acknowledge Him as their God, and they will return to the land of Judah. On the other hand, the bad figs will be punished with calamity and destruction, becoming a byword, a reproach, a taunt, and a curse wherever they are driven. This highlights the themes of repentance, redemption, and judgment that are prevalent throughout the Bible.
These verses remind us of the importance of obedience and humility before God. The example of the good figs shows us that when we acknowledge our sins, seek God’s forgiveness, and submit to His will, He is faithful to restore us and bless us. Conversely, the fate of the bad figs serves as a warning against pride, rebellion, and disobedience. It emphasizes that God’s judgment is certain for those who persist in their wicked ways.
This passage also echoes the broader narrative of God’s covenant with His people. Throughout the Bible, we see God’s faithfulness in disciplining His children for their disobedience while also offering them a path to redemption through repentance and faith. The story of the people of Judah in Jeremiah 24 serves as a microcosm of this larger theme, illustrating the consequences of both obedience and disobedience in relation to God’s covenant.
Jeremiah 24:8-10
Let’s break down a few important sections in Jeremiah 24:8-10 for deeper understanding. Identify the subject: “Let’s”
Rewritten sentence: Let’s delve into each part for a comprehensive analysis. “‘But like the bad figs, which cannot be eaten due to rottenness,’ indeed, this is what the Lord says, ‘so I will deal with Zedekiah king of Judah, his officials, and the remnant of Jerusalem who remain in this land, and those who live in the land of Egypt. The prophet Jeremiah uses the metaphor of figs to illustrate the fate of Zedekiah, his officials, and the remnant of Jerusalem in this section. Zedekiah’s reign and those associated with him are also deemed corrupt and unacceptable in the eyes of the Lord, just as the bad figs are useless and rotten, symbolizing their lack of spiritual value and moral decay. This serves as a clear warning about the consequences of unfaithfulness and disobedience to God.
- “I will make them a horror and an evil to all the kingdoms of the earth, a disgrace, an object of scorn, ridicule, and cursing, wherever I have banished them.”
Here, the Lord pronounces a severe judgment upon Zedekiah and his followers, declaring that they will face consequences that will bring them shame and humiliation among the nations where they are dispersed. This emphasizes the principle of divine retribution for unrighteousness and serves as a reminder of the importance of obedience and faithfulness to God’s commands to avoid falling into disgrace and dishonor.
- “I will send the sword, famine, and plague against them until they have perished from the land that I gave to them and their ancestors.”
This final section underscores the severity of the impending judgment that will befall Zedekiah and his cohorts. The sword, famine, and plague mentioned represent the instruments of destruction that God will unleash upon them as a consequence of their sins. This serves as a powerful reminder of the inevitable repercussions of disobedience and a warning to all who stray from God’s will. A consistent theme in the Bible regarding the importance of obedience, faithfulness, and the consequences of sin can be seen when examining these verses. Zedekiah’s story is a tragic example of a leader who failed to follow God’s ways and ultimately faced devastating repercussions. It serves as a cautionary tale for believers to heed God’s commands and walk in righteousness to avoid the fate of those who choose the path of disobedience. This narrative aligns with other passages in the Bible such as Proverbs 14:12 which warns that “There is a way that appears to be right, but in the end it leads to death,” emphasizing the importance of aligning our lives with God’s will to avoid spiritual destruction.
After Jeremiah 24
The Lord had shown Jeremiah a vision of two baskets of figs. One basket held good, ripe figs, while the other held bad, rotten figs. The Lord explained that the good figs represented the exiles who had been taken to Babylon, whom He would care for and restore. The bad figs represented the king, officials, and remnant in Judah, whom He would punish and scatter. I, as the reverend, now stand before you, my congregation, with a heavy heart. The Lord has revealed to us the fate that awaits those who have turned away from Him. Yet, even in the midst of judgment, there is hope for those who will return to Him. The Lord offers a way of redemption in the next chapter, if only we have the courage to heed His call.
Reverend Ogunlade is a seasoned Church Minister with over three decades of experience in guiding and nurturing congregations. With profound wisdom and a serene approach, Reverend Ogunlade has carried out various pastoral duties, including delivering uplifting sermons, conducting religious ceremonies, and offering sage counsel to individuals seeking spiritual guidance. Their commitment to fostering harmony and righteousness within their community is exemplified through their compassionate nature, making them a beloved and trusted figure among the congregation.