Jeremiah 24:1-10 Two Outcomes
God gives Jeremiah a vision which shows the two outcomes of the people of Judah. Either God watches over them as they go through their ‘lesson’ or they perish.
Earlier, we came across a word from the Lord regarding the people of Jerusalem. God said that if they wanted to live, they had to surrender themselves to Nebuchadnezzar. If they stayed in the city they would die. God shows that same contrast to Jeremiah in two baskets of figs.
The good figs are those who have gone into captivity already with Nebuchadnezzar. The bad ones are those who remain and are determined to ‘make their own way’ by standing firm in their ‘commitment’ to their home land. Problem there is that God is NOT going to let Jerusalem stand. HE has already decreed it. Judgment IS coming and with it is the destruction of Jerusalem. Those who trust in the city for their survival will be sorely disappointed. And DEAD.
Those who go to Babylon, into captivity, will not be leaving the eyes of God. He WILL watch over them and protect them. The stories of Daniel prove this out conclusively. He will be watching over those whose hearts are centered on Him. I don’t know how many people were simply swept up in the conquest, how many believed Jeremiah’s warning and surrendered, and how many were following God and did as He commanded. I know that not everyone who went into captivity were dedicated to the Lord. There would have been a LOT more for the fiery furnace if all loved Him above all else. And many of those who went into captivity remained there of their own free will when Cyrus said they could go home. But God honored His word to watch over them, even as He watched over Israel for centuries when they were not honoring Him.
From the “good figs” basket, God would build again His people. Those who were beyond usability would be cut off by their own choices and actions.
Did you notice that God specifically mentioned Egypt as one of the places where the people would wind up? He told them NEVER to return to Egypt after He brought them out. He reminded them not to go back. Later, Jeremiah will remind them again of His command regarding Egypt. But some will STILL seek refuge there. God KNEW this LONG before it happened. I would even say that Him stating it here was another warning to the people. “DO NOT GO TO EGYPT! YOU WILL DIE THERE!” We will see how they didn’t listen later on. I wonder if they will each reflect on this moment of warning before they meet their end.
Father God, THANK YOU that there is NOWHERE I can go that You cannot see me. As David said, “Where shall I go from your Spirit? Or where shall I flee from your presence? If I ascend to heaven, you are there! If I make my bed in Sheol, you are there! If I take the wings of the morning and dwell in the uttermost parts of the sea, even there your hand shall lead me, and your right hand shall hold me. If I say, “Surely the darkness shall cover me, and the light about me be night,” even the darkness is not dark to you; the night is bright as the day, for darkness is as light with you” (Psalm 139:7-12). I am NEVER out of Your sight or beyond Your reach.
I PRAY I always stay in the ‘good figs’ basket. This means allowing You to have Your perfect work in my life, no matter what that entails. I am Yours Father. Have Your own way in me.
