THE MESSAGES OF THE ELEVEN SYMBOLICAL ACTIONS OF JEREMIAH (PART SIX)

PART SIX: The Two Baskets of Figs. Jeremiah 24:1-10

We owe our lives to Him. God will always look well to the submissive and obedience and God will judge our evil thoughts and deeds. God judged the unrepentant figs in Jeremiah’s day. Matt. 16:27.

 

LESSONS:

Those who are disciplined by God for their good and the tragic punishment for the wicked and rebellious who resist God’s leading and discipline. There were no intermediate figs. They were either ‘very good’ or ‘very bad’. This shows that God would not accept a middle ground or a neutral position. Jeremiah 10:23; Psalm 37:23-24.

The exile appears to some a tragedy but it is God’s discipline. Discipline may bring momentary pain or hardship. But discipline brings with it hope and peace. Always recognizes the chastening of God and bows to it. Unbelief always resists. God wants our surrender. Heb. 12:4-11; Prov. 12:1; Rev. 3:19

God uses the heathen Babylonians to bring about a purging and peace and hope. By their afflictions they were convinced of sin, humbled under the hand of God, weaned from the world, made serious, taught to pray, and turned from their iniquity; particularly they were cured of their inclination to idolatry; and thus it was good for them that they were afflicted. Jer. 24:5-7; Ps. 119:67; Ps. 119:71.

Zedekiah is the evil fig, he rebelled against the Lord and against his object of discipline. Zedekiah was urged on by his gang of rebellious foot soldiers; the God’s judgment that befell Zedekiah also befell his gangs. Jer. 24:8-10; 1Tim. 5:21-22, 2 John: 9-11

NOTE:

In times of natural catastrophe, no matter how discouraging the circumstances may be, God doesn’t desert His faithful remnant. Rebels are scattered and destroyed, but true believers find God faithful to meet their needs and accomplish His great plans.

Problems patiently endured will work for our spiritual perfecting. They harm us only when we resist them or endure them unwillingly.