Be a Good Fig

06/08/2009 by John Marsden.

God showed Jeremiah two baskets of figs: Some figs were good, some bad. But more than just figs, this was a picture of His people.The Lord spoke at a time when Babylon had carried Judah’s people away into exile. We might assume that He would praise those who resolutely opposed Babylon and fought against the exile.

However, the opposite was the case. To God, the good figs were those who had gone into exile. Calling them “My people,” He promised them great blessings and spiritual riches. He also predicted they would “return to Me with their whole heart” (v. 7).

In contrast, the bad figs were those who stayed in the land or moved to Egypt. He would abandon them, making “them a terror and an evil for all the kingdoms of the earth” (v. 9). They would be scattered and become “a reproach” (v. 9).

Why would God pronounce this judgment? Because this was His plan, His will. They may not have understood why, but He wanted to transform people who had been taken into exile. There they would have time to reflect upon their history and actions. There they would call upon God again, put aside their evil ways, and seek a renewed relationship with Him.

In contrast, those who remained in the land or fled to Egypt were running away from God and trying to preserve their sinful and disobedient past.

Today, make sure that you are one of the “good figs.” Remember that God is sovereign—Lord over all. Be the kind of person who is sensitive to His will and who will obey Him, even when you don’t necessarily understand what He’s doing.
Have a great day

John

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