Jeremiah 24 - Introduction

Jeremiah 24:1-10. The two baskets of figs

The meaning of the vision is given with sufficient clearness in the subsequent verses. Those who had not been carried away in Jehoiachin's captivity (b.c. 597) contrasted themselves favourably with those who had been thus removed. To them the Lord here says that the real contrast is exactly the reverse. Of the good and evil figs, the latter represent such as have failed to draw any improvement from the fate which has overtaken their brethren, while those who have been carried off to Babylon shall yet be the subjects of God's love and grace. Both the baskets contained fruit that had been gathered, and whose ripening time was therefore over, but here their likeness ceased. So both classes of the people had had their period of probation, but with results that on the whole differed essentially.

The section may be subdivided as follows.

(i) Jeremiah 24:1. After Jehoiachin and the other captives had been taken to Babylon, Jehovah shews Jeremiah two baskets of figs. He bids him describe them and he does so. (ii) Jeremiah 24:4. The good figs are the exiles, whom He will restore to their land and to prosperity, because of their loyalty to Him. The evil are Zedekiah and the rest that remain in Palestine, as well as those who have gone to Egypt. This fortune shall be their portion. They shall be scattered throughout the world, and be scorned of all nations, and perish through war, famine, and plague from the land Jehovah gave their fathers.