In this chapter, the Lord indicates He will continue to bless His people even in captivity. Here’s the chapter in its entirety: “After King Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon exiled Jehoiachin son of Jehoiakim, king of Judah, to Babylon along with the princes of Judah and all the skilled craftsmen, the Lord gave me this vision. I saw two baskets of figs placed in front of the Lord’s Temple in Jerusalem. One basket was filled with fresh, ripe figs, while the other was filled with figs that were spoiled and could not be eaten.
Then the Lord said to me, “What do you see, Jeremiah?”
I replied, “Figs, some very good and some very bad.”
Then the Lord gave me this message: “This is what the Lord, the God of Israel, says: The good figs represent the exiles I sent from Judah to the land of the Babylonians. I have sent them into captivity for their own good. I will see that they are well treated, and I will bring them back here again. I will build them up and not uproot them. I will give them hearts that will recognize me as the Lord. They will be my people, and I will be their God, for they will return to me wholeheartedly.” (Wow! Look at the grace God continues to give to His children. Also, notice that the Lord said, “I have sent them into captivity for their own good.” Isn’t it amazing that all of our trials in life make us better individuals? In our darkest and lowest moments, God is shaping and growing us! Lord, you are so good!!!)
“But the rotten figs,” the Lord said, “represent King Zedekiah of Judah, his officials, all the people left in Jerusalem, and those who live in Egypt. I will treat them like spoiled figs, too rotten to eat. I will make them an object of horror and evil to every nation on earth. They will be disgraced and mocked, taunted and cursed, wherever I send them. I will send war, famine, and disease until they have vanished from the land of Israel, which I gave to them and their ancestors.” (Jeremiah 24) (Wow…these consequences all because people refused to listen to the Lord’s instructions.)
Lord, thank you for your Word today! Thank you for loving us so deeply that you continually give us grace, mercy, and favor even when we don’t deserve it. And, Lord, help us open our hearts to you and recognize that you are sitting at the potter’s wheel and shaping us when we are experiencing our most difficult moments in life. Lord, we love you!
May the Lord bless you and protect you. May the Lord smile on you and be gracious to you. May the Lord show you his favor and give you his peace.” (Numbers 6:24-26)
….AND MAY WE ALL PRACTICE THIS WITH ONE ANOTHER.
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