Scripture reading – Jeremiah 24
Introduction and Review
The “pastors” of Judah (the king, his officials, and religious leaders) had denied the LORD and failed the people (Jeremiah 23:1-2, 9-32). Therefore, God determined His judgment against Judah, Jerusalem’s destruction, and the captivity of its people.
Jeremiah 24
Two Baskets of Figs (Jeremiah 24:1)
Today’s Scripture reading introduced a vision that the LORD revealed to Jeremiah in a parable. In the vision, the prophet saw “two baskets of figs were set before the Temple of the LORD” (Jeremiah 24:1a). The parable was spoken after Jeconiah, the second to the last king of Judah (Zedekiah being the last), was taken captive by Nebuchadnezzar, king of Babylon (Jeremiah 24:1).
Interpretation of the Parable of the Figs (Jeremiah 24:2-10)
The two baskets of figs represented the people of Judah. One basket contained “very good figs, even like the figs that are first ripe” and could be eaten (Jeremiah 24:2a). The other basket contained “very naughty figs, which could not be eaten, they were so bad” (Jeremiah 24:2b).
The LORD then asked Jeremiah, “What seest thou?” (Jeremiah 24:3). The prophet observed the good figs were good and the evil figs were “very evil” and could not be eaten (Jeremiah 24:3b).
The LORD promised the “good figs” were those people who would survive the siege of Jerusalem and Babylon would carry them away. However, the LORD promised to restore them to their land as a people and nation (Jeremiah 24:4-7).
The bad or “evil figs” represented King Zedekiah and the officers of his court (Jeremiah 24:8). Zedekiah was a wicked king and the last king of Judah before Jerusalem’s destruction. The “evil figs” were those people of Israel and Judah that would be scattered among the nations of the earth where they would “be a reproach and a proverb, a taunt and a curse” (Jeremiah 24:9). The heathen would taunt and curse them (Jeremiah 24:9b). Sword, famine, and pestilence would be their lot until no more people were left in the land (Jeremiah 24:10).
Closing thought –
The people who are identified as Jewish have suffered perhaps as no other people in human history. They have known the highest privilege as God’s chosen people. However, they broke their covenant with the LORD. When Christ came and fulfilled the Messianic prophecies (Isaiah 7:14; Isaiah 9:6-7; Isaiah 53), Israel rejected Him, for their hearts were spiritually blind.
Has any other people been more hated? Yet, the LORD has not forgotten them. When Jesus Christ returns at His Second Coming, all the earth will know that “THE LORD OUR RIGHTEOUSNESS” reigns in Israel (Jeremiah 23:5-6).
Are you ready for His coming?
Copyright © 2024 – Travis D. Smith
* Please subscribe to the Heart of a Shepherd daily devotionals by entering your name and email address at the bottom of today’s devotion.
The Internal Revenue Service recognizes Heart of A Shepherd Inc as a 501c3 public charitable organization. Your donation is welcome and supports the worldwide ministry outreach of www.HeartofAShepherd.com.