THE PROPHECY OF THE TWO BASKETS OF FIGS

PROCLAMATION

“This is what The Lord, The God of Israel, says: ‘Like these good figs, I regard as good the exiles from Judah, whom I sent away from this place to the land of the Babylonians.  My eyes will watch over them for their good, and I will bring them back to this land.”  Jeremiah 24:5-6 (NIV)

EXPLANATION

These are the words of The Lord God which were spoken to the prophet Jeremiah and proclaimed to the people of Judah.  After Jeremiah had complained to The Lord God and cursed the day that he was born, King Zedekiah sent two priests to Jeremiah to inquire of The Lord God for them as they were under attack. (Jeremiah 21:1-2)  He repeated the prophecy of destruction and captivity by the Babylonians. (Jeremiah 21:3-14)  Then he went to the palace and prophesied destruction and captivity to the king of Judah. (Jeremiah 22:1-30)  After that he prophesied against the shepherds who were destroying and scattering the people of Israel, (Jeremiah 23:1-8) and against the lying prophets who were deceiving the people with false prophecies. (Jeremiah 23:9-40)  Then The Lord God showed him two baskets of figs, one good and ripe and the other was bad and could not be eaten.  The basket of good figs represented the good people in exile whom He would save.  The basket of bad figs represented the people whom He would destroy. (Jeremiah 24:1-10)

APPLICATION
Even in the midst of death and destruction The Lord God will make a way out of no way for those who believe and who have a good heart. (Jeremiah 24:7)  He will never leave us or forsake us, (Hebrews 13:5) the problem is that we turn away from Him.  If we are obedient and keep our faith in Him, then He will look after, protect, and provide for us regardless of what is going on around us.