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Jeremiah 24

10 verses

TL;DR

Jeremiah 24 uses a parable of good and bad figs to contrast the fates of Judah’s captives—who will be restored—and those left behind—who will face judgment.

Summary

In Jeremiah 24 the prophet is shown a vision of two baskets of figs before the temple. One basket contains good, ripe figs; the other holds bad, inedible ones. God explains that the good figs represent the captives of Judah, whom He will rescue from Babylon and restore to their homeland. The bad figs symbolize those who remain in Judah and Egypt, who will be delivered to destruction and made a reproach in all nations. The chapter emphasizes God’s justice and faithfulness, promising both redemption for the faithful and punishment for the disobedient. Jeremiah records the Lord’s message, illustrating the dual outcomes of exile and exile’s consequences.

Outline
  1. 1. Vision of two baskets of figs before the temple. 2. God’s revelation: good figs = captives to be restored; bad figs = people left to be punished. 3. Specific judgments: restoration to Judah and judgment on Zedekiah and his people.
Themes
Judgment and RedemptionCovenant FaithfulnessExile and Restoration
Keywords
figscaptivityrestorationjudgmentcovenantexileBabylonJudahZedekiahprophecy
People
JeremiahNebuchadrezzarJeconiahJehoiakimZedekiah
Places
JerusalemBabylonChaldeansEgyptall kingdoms of the earth
Things
figsbasketscaptivityswordfaminepestilence
Key Verses
  • Jeremiah 24:1: Introduction of the vision that frames the entire message.
  • Jeremiah 24:5: God’s promise of restoration to the captives of Judah.
  • Jeremiah 24:8: Description of judgment against those who remain, highlighting the threat of exile.
  • Jeremiah 24:10: Specific calamities that will be inflicted as part of the judgment.
Questions
  • What does the parable of good and bad figs reveal about the nature of divine judgment?
  • How does Jeremiah’s message of restoration to the captives contrast with the threat of judgment to the remaining Israelites?
  • In what ways can the vision in Jeremiah 24 inform contemporary understandings of justice and mercy?
  • What significance does the specific mention of “sword, famine, pestilence” hold in the context of prophetic warnings?
  • How might the juxtaposition of promise and threat shape the reader’s perception of God's faithfulness?
Sentiment

mixed
The chapter contains both hopeful restoration and stark judgment, reflecting a balanced view of divine action.