How can we avoid becoming like the "bad figs" in our lives? A Fresh Look at Jeremiah 24 “Then the LORD showed me two baskets of figs placed in front of the temple of the LORD… One basket had very good figs, like early figs, but the other basket had very bad figs, so bad they could not be eaten.” (Jeremiah 24:1–2) Jeremiah receives a vision right after the first wave of exiles is carried to Babylon. The “good figs” picture those who submit to God’s discipline and will eventually be restored. The “bad figs” represent King Zedekiah, the leaders who stayed in Jerusalem, and everyone who clung to rebellion and idolatry. Spotting the Difference: Good Figs vs. Bad Figs • Good figs trust God’s hand even when it hurts (Jeremiah 24:5–7). • Bad figs harden themselves and refuse correction (Jeremiah 24:8–10). • Good figs grow sweeter through exile; bad figs rot in seeming safety. • Good figs receive “a heart to know Me” (v. 7); bad figs keep their stony hearts. Why Bad Figs Happen • Presumed immunity: “Nothing can touch us; the temple is here” (cf. Jeremiah 7:4). • Selective hearing: listening to affirming voices, ignoring God’s prophets (Jeremiah 23:16–17). • Idol entanglement: blending worship of the LORD with cultural idols (Jeremiah 2:11–13). • Stubborn pride: resisting every call to repent (Jeremiah 6:16–17). Five Habits That Keep Us From Spoiling 1. Daily repentance – “Search me, O God, and know my heart” (Psalm 139:23). – Keep short accounts; confess sin quickly (1 John 1:9). 2. Whole-heart loyalty – Tear down competing altars: screens, success, relationships, comfort (Joshua 24:14). – Guard the heart, because “from it flow the springs of life” (Proverbs 4:23). 3. Receptive teachability – Welcome correction from Scripture, trusted believers, and the Spirit (Proverbs 9:8-9). – Measure every voice by the Word, not the crowd (Acts 17:11). 4. Fruit-bearing obedience – Abide in Christ; apart from Him we wither (John 15:4-6). – Let the Spirit produce visible fruit—love, joy, peace… (Galatians 5:22-23). 5. Forward-looking hope – Fix eyes on the coming restoration, not present pressure (2 Corinthians 4:17-18). – Encourage one another with the promise of the Lord’s return (1 Thessalonians 4:18). Fruit That Proves the Tree • Humble, repentant spirit rather than defensive self-righteousness. • Steady love for Scripture replacing casual neglect. • Increasing compassion for the vulnerable instead of self-absorption (James 1:27). • Persistent prayer and grateful worship that override circumstances (Psalm 34:1). • Willingness to be sent, stretched, or uprooted by God for His purposes (Isaiah 6:8). Closing Encouragement: Stay on the Vine Our safeguard is not flawless performance; it is living union with the Lord. “I will give them a heart to know Me, that I am the LORD. They will be My people, and I will be their God, for they will return to Me with all their heart.” (Jeremiah 24:7) Keep turning toward Him, stay soft and teachable, and the Master Gardener will keep your life sweet and useful—even in exile. |
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