The Good and the Bad

 Read Jeremiah 24.

The Babylonians came against Judah, just as God had said they would.  The complete takeover of the land, and Jerusalem in particular, occurred with increasing pressure over a period of years.  In the first wave, Nebuchadnezzar took the king at that time, Jeconiah, and some top leaders in government and commerce as his prize captives.  Daniel, Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego would have been in this selected group.

Those who were not taken captive thought they had escaped punishment and were now in the clear.    But what they failed to realize was that their fear had been misplaced.  It was not the Babylonians they were to be afraid of but God.  Those taken to Babylon were treated quite well for the most part.  Those left behind were going to face the justice of God.

To communicate this in vivid terms, God gave Jeremiah a comparative message of figs: good figs and bad figs.  According to the law, the first-fruits of the harvest, the best of the crop, were to be presented to God.  After the harvest the leftovers were not fit to eat.  He quickly related it to the Babylonian captivity.

1. Good Figs. (vv.4-7)
The Temple was in Jerusalem and that meant the captives may have thought that they were separated from the worship and presence of God.  Eight times the LORD used the word "I" in explaining His personal involvement with those who had been taken.  Instead of this being an indicator that they did something wrong, God called them good.  He promised to keep His eye on them for good.  He promised to bring them back, build them up, plant them in the land, and give them a heart for Him.  Since the exile last 70 years, not all of this prophecy was fulfilled in the return then.  New Testament passages, such as Romans 11:26-27, clearly tell that more is coming when Messiah reigns on earth.

2. Bad Figs. (vv.8-10)
Those remaining in Jerusalem were to experience punishment, as promised.  Five times the LORD used the word "I" to let them know that He would personally mete out His judgment on their sin and rebellion against Him. 

Not all bad things that happen to us is because we did something wrong.  For those of us who fear the LORD and live for Him, we can trust that He acts on purpose and that He is working His plan in us.
"And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose.  For those whom he foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son..." (Romans 8:28-29a)