Isaiah 24
Jeremiah 24 is a chapter that shows how God distinguishes the people belonging to Judah through the parable of two baskets of figs concerning the Babylonian exile. This chapter was given shortly after the fall of Judah, after King Jehoiachin and his officials were taken to Babylon as captives. The prophet Jeremiah presents God’s will to those who hear it through striking symbolic images.
1verseBehold, the LORD makes the earth empty, makes it waste, turns it upside down, and scatters its inhabitants.
2verseIt will be as with the people, so with the priest; as with the servant, so with his master; as with the maid, so with her mistress; as with the buyer, so with the seller; as with the creditor, so with the debtor; as with the taker of interest, so with the giver of interest.
3verseThe earth will be utterly emptied and utterly laid waste; for the LORD has spoken this word.
4verseThe earth mourns and fades away. The world languishes and fades away. The lofty people of the earth languish.
5verseThe earth also is polluted under its inhabitants, because they have transgressed the laws, violated the statutes, and broken the everlasting covenant.
6verseTherefore the curse has devoured the earth, and those who dwell therein are found guilty. Therefore the inhabitants of the earth are burned, and few men are left.
7verseThe new wine mourns. The vine languishes. All the merry-hearted sigh.
8verseThe mirth of tambourines ceases. The sound of those who rejoice ends. The joy of the harp ceases.
9verseThey will not drink wine with a song. Strong drink will be bitter to those who drink it.
10verseThe confused city is broken down. Every house is shut up, that no man may come in.
11verseThere is a crying in the streets because of the wine. All joy is darkened. The mirth of the land is gone.
12verseThe city is left in desolation, and the gate is struck with destruction.
13verseFor it will be so within the earth among the peoples, as the shaking of an olive tree, as the gleanings when the vintage is done.
14verseThese shall lift up their voice. They will shout for the majesty of the LORD. They cry aloud from the sea.
15verseTherefore glorify the LORD in the east, even the name of the LORD, the God of Israel, in the islands of the sea!
16verseFrom the uttermost part of the earth have we heard songs. Glory to the righteous! But I said, “I pine away! I pine away! woe is me!” The treacherous have dealt treacherously. Yes, the treacherous have dealt very treacherously.
17verseFear, the pit, and the snare are on you who inhabit the earth.
18verseIt will happen that he who flees from the noise of the fear will fall into the pit; and he who comes up out of the middle of the pit will be taken in the snare; for the windows on high are opened, and the foundations of the earth tremble.
19verseThe earth is utterly broken. The earth is torn apart. The earth is shaken violently.
20verseThe earth will stagger like a drunken man, and will sway back and forth like a hammock. Its disobedience will be heavy on it, and it will fall and not rise again.
21verseIt will happen in that day that the LORD will punish the army of the high ones on high, and the kings of the earth on the earth.
22verseThey will be gathered together, as prisoners are gathered in the pit, and will be shut up in the prison; and after many days they will be visited.
23verseThen the moon will be confounded, and the sun ashamed; for the LORD of Armies will reign on Mount Zion and in Jerusalem; and glory will be before his elders.
The Parable of Two Baskets of Figs
In the early part of the chapter, Jeremiah sees two baskets of figs placed in front of the temple. One basket contains very good figs, and the other contains very bad figs (verses 1–3). This symbolism is followed shortly by God’s interpretation.
- Good figs: the people of Israel taken captive to Babylon, and those whom God intends to do good to.
- Bad figs: those who remain in Jerusalem or flee to places such as Egypt, and they become the objects of God’s judgment.
The Meaning of God’s Will and Judgment
God gives the people who have been taken captive to Babylon words of hope (verses 5–7). He promises that he will care for them and do good to them, and that he will plant a new covenant in their hearts so they will come to know him. On the other hand, he warns that wicked people, like the bad figs, will be scattered and become the targets of a curse and shame (verses 8–10).
The Message Felt Throughout the Whole Chapter
In Jeremiah 24, it becomes clear that the true blessing is not a blessing of outward circumstances (remaining in Jerusalem) or hardship (life in exile), but restoring one’s relationship with God. Even God’s judgment itself can be understood as a means for restoration and a new beginning. The criterion for distinction does not lie in situations visible to human eyes, but under God’s sovereignty and providence.
Meditation Point
- Do we not just think that difficult circumstances or hardship are only the result of being separated from God?
- Even if it seems hard on the outside, are we listening for God’s will and his good plan contained within it?
- Does God look at not just the situation but the heart, and can we trust his plan for restoration?
Try Applying It to Yourself
- Try to have the trust that any difficulty in my life can be under God’s good guidance.
- Make a decision to have a day focused on my relationship with God, without clinging only to my standards (external comfort, stability).
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