(Jeremiah 24:5) So says Jehovah, the God of Israel: Like these good figs, so I will acknowledge the exiles of Judah, whom I have sent out of this place into the land of the Chaldeans for their good.
In this chapter God has shown Jeremiah a vision of two baskets of figs. One basket is full of good figs and the other full of rotten ones. God was telling Jeremiah that the folks being carried away into captivity were being sent out of the land of Judah for their good.
The other basket represented the people left in the land who eventually would try to rebel against Nebuchadnezzar and would be punished for their rebellion.
Okay, so much for a history lesson.
Where my mind went as I read this verse was to some of the people being referenced by God in this prophecy concerning the good figs.
We don't often think (at least myself, anyway) of the connection between people like Jeremiah and people like Daniel and his three friends, or others like Mordechai and Hadassah (Esther). How about Nehemiah and Ezra?
You see a good number of these folks were alive when Jeremiah was prophecying. Some may have been young but others were old enough to know of him and the things God was saying through him.
These were some of the people who were in the mind of God when He was showing His prophet things like baskets of good and bad fruit.
So Jerry, where are you going with this?
Believe me, it's not very complicated.
There is no question that what the people of Jeremiah's day were experiencing was tragic. So much destruction and death which, it should be noted, they had brought upon themselves because of turning away from God. There is no discounting that.
But, here is my take way from this, even in the midst of His wrath God was truly "remembering mercy (Habbakuk 3:2)."
Think of the people like Daniel, Ezra, Esther, and so on whom God used during the captivity to be a blessing to His people and the impact of their lives that continues even to the days we live in. I would encourage you to take some time to reflect on this and see what God might say to you. It may be something different from my conclusions but no matter. Think about it anyway.
We who know this God are truly blessed by that knowledge and our prayer in this hour should be that we will be channels of this knowledge to those who only think of Him as being a God of wrath and judgment.
Hey Jerry, good blog. I like Jeremiah's verse you used regarding the figs. It calls to attention 3 powerful Truths about our amazing GOD.
ReplyDelete1. For God to "acknowledge" us means He knows exactly what we have done and fully understands what we are going through. God not only knows but He deeply cares when we are going through tough times and strange places... Even seasons of what looks like captivity.
2. We are broken hearted, crushed in spirit and can become so quickly terrorized by fear when we see good people, family and friends being punished and destroyed by national and religious rebellion. This is where we must hold on to our faith and put our full trust in our God who not only loves and cares for us but remember this verse of the figs... It is our LORD who is leading us and has "sent us out of this place." Lord I will trust you. Lead on.
3. No matter how bad the future looks Jeremiah 24:5 says God is in charge and what He is doing with us is FOR OUR GOOD. I can tell you from experience that ALL THINGS REALLY DO WORK TOGETHER FOR GOOD TO THOSE WHO LOVE GOD AND ARE CALLED ACCORDING TO HIS PURPOSE.
It was 8 years ago when doctors told me I had incurable prostate cancer and had 5 years to live. Wow!!! That wasn't what I wanted to hear. But now 3 years after I was to be dead God had been incredibly faithful. Sandi and I have never been closer to the Lord nor seen greater miracles and results in ministry. Through it all God is still producing good fruit in us.
If you are looking for us, hopefully you will find us in the basket of good figs. Ormel Chapin